Shopping Articles
20 April 2009
A Guide to Energy Efficiency Ratings on Fridges and Freezers
Not sure which freezer to buy - tips on energy efficient appliances
The efficiency of refrigeration appliances, such as fridges, or freezers, refers to the amount of energy required by those appliances to perform a certain amount of work; in simple terms, the more energy consumed per unit output, the lower the efficiency.
Energy efficient fridges, freezers and combination appliances are easy to identify by virtue of the various energy efficiency labels that they bear. Most appliances, nowadays, bear one, or more, of the Energy Saving Recommended logo, the Energy Star symbol, and the European Community Energy Label. Indeed, the EC Energy Label must be displayed, by law, on all fridges, freezers, etc. for sale, hire, or hire-purchase.
The EC Energy Label is, perhaps, the most helpful indicator of energy efficiency in fridges and freezers, identifying refrigeration appliances by a rating from "A" - or, more correctly, from "A++", or even "A+++" - to "G", where "A+++" is most efficient, and "G" the least efficient. The more efficient the appliance, the less energy it requires, and savings up to £350, or more, may be possible over the lifetime of the appliance.
Do bear in mind, however, that energy efficiency ratings for fridges and freezers are based on volume - an American style refrigerator may use up to 50% more energy than a conventional, 300-litre model, despite being rated "A+++" - and, obviously, on correct usage, away from cooking appliances and other heat sources, as outlined in the instructions from the manufacturer.
Compare Fridge Freezer or Fridge Prices
© Upshot Media Ltd
Energy efficient fridges, freezers and combination appliances are easy to identify by virtue of the various energy efficiency labels that they bear. Most appliances, nowadays, bear one, or more, of the Energy Saving Recommended logo, the Energy Star symbol, and the European Community Energy Label. Indeed, the EC Energy Label must be displayed, by law, on all fridges, freezers, etc. for sale, hire, or hire-purchase.
The EC Energy Label is, perhaps, the most helpful indicator of energy efficiency in fridges and freezers, identifying refrigeration appliances by a rating from "A" - or, more correctly, from "A++", or even "A+++" - to "G", where "A+++" is most efficient, and "G" the least efficient. The more efficient the appliance, the less energy it requires, and savings up to £350, or more, may be possible over the lifetime of the appliance.
Do bear in mind, however, that energy efficiency ratings for fridges and freezers are based on volume - an American style refrigerator may use up to 50% more energy than a conventional, 300-litre model, despite being rated "A+++" - and, obviously, on correct usage, away from cooking appliances and other heat sources, as outlined in the instructions from the manufacturer.
Compare Fridge Freezer or Fridge Prices
© Upshot Media Ltd
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