Energy Label modifications 2020-2021

Aug 26, 2020 84 Views

When you buy a new electrical appliance you are informed of its energy efficiency on the label. The European Union have approved a new directive which starts this year 2020 which changes the current format of the label which was introduced in 1994.

What appliances does it affect?

The appliances affected are dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, fridges, lights, screens and industrial refrigerators.

Why were they changed?

The new labelling responds to the advances in technology in today`s world and not only confirms the energy efficiency but also a reflection of efficiency in real day to day usage. For example, with washing machines and dishwashers, many of us will typically use quick wash programs or wash a half load rather than a full load every wash so laboratory tests have changed to measure energy use over 100 wash loads instead of annual measurements, water consumption, noise levels and ECO program time in hours and minutes. Labels will also have a QR code allowing consumers to compare products on the European database EPREL.

In 2006 over 60% of fridges and washing machines were labelled as A in efficiency however, in 2017 more than 90% of them were labelled at above A that is to say A+, A++ or A+++. Energy evolution over 10 years has made the old label redundant.

The new scales

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The new scale will label machines from A – F. If the appliance is currently labelled A+++, on the new scale it will be labelled as B.

From November 2020 manufacturers must label all appliances with both the new and the original label. From March 2021 stores must display the new labels. From November 2021 products with the original label only cannot be sold to the public.