What products carry the EU Energy Label?
Light bulbs, cars and most electrical appliances (e.g. refrigerators, stoves, washing machines) carry the EU Energy Label.
The energy efficiency of the product is rated in energy levels ranging from A to G on the outside label. 'A' stands for the most energy efficient and 'G' for the least energy efficient.
Apart from the clear color-coded classification there is also other information on the energy label. For example, the energy label for lightbulbs often shows its 'lumen', an indication of perceived power of light, and 'Watt', the consumption of joules of energy per second.
Recently, also the qualification A+ and A++ were introduced for refrigerated appliances.
The Energy Rating label enables consumers to compare the energy efficiency of appliances.
It is also an incentive for manufacturers to improve the energy performance of their products.
Light bulbs
The label shows the classification of the lightbulb's electrical consumption relative to a standard (GLS or incandescent) light bulb that produces the same brightness (lumen).
| Class A & B | Energy savers fall in to these categories. They are the most efficient type of light bulb and use up to 80% less energy than standard GLS light bulbs. |
| Class D | Mains voltage halogen bulbs usually fall into this category. |
| Class E & F | Standard incandescent light bulbs are the least efficient alternatives. |
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| 20-50% | 50-75% | 75-90% | 90-100% | 100-110% | 110-125% | >125% |
The number is calculated according to the consumption and the compartments' volume of the appliance.
This is an index, it is not calculated in kWh.
| A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| <30 | <42 | <55 | <75 | <90 | <100 | <110 | <125 | >125 |
For washing machines the energy efficiency scale is calculated using a cotton cycle at 60°C (140°F) with a maximum declared load. This load is typically 6 kg.
The energy efficiency index is in kWh per kilogramme of washing.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| <0.19 | <0.23 | <0.27 | <0.31 | <0.35 | <0.39 | >0.39 |
The energy efficiency is calculated according to the number of place settings.
For the most common size of appliance, the 12 place setting machine the following classes apply.
The unit is expressed in kWh per 12 place settings.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| <1.06 | <1.25 | <1.45 | <1.65 | <1.85 | <2.05 | >2.05 |
For cars it is not the electrical efficiency that is indicated, but its carbon dioxide emissions in grammes per kilometre travelled.
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
| <100 | <120 | <140 | <160 | <200 | <250 | >250 |
References:
- General directive on labelling and standard product information - Link
- Specification requirements of labels (choose PDF-option) - Link
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