THE NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY CLASSES

From March 2021 there will be new energy labels and revised energy efficiency classes for household appliances. Here, you will find all relevant information on the subject.

The energy label (or EU label) has provided information on low energy and water consumption data for major domestic appliances since 1996. It is required by law and is shown on the product, both in shops and via websites of retailers.
The energy label is intended to show the customer energy efficiency data at a glance, in order to enable a better comparison with other products.
Over time, household appliances have become more cost and energy efficient. For this reason, the EU label is now being updated.

The European Union has issued a mandatory update of the current energy label for the following product categories:

• Washing machines
• Washer dryers
• Refrigerators / freezers
• Dishwashers

From March 2021, the label alone must be visible on all devices.

CHANGES IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY CLASSES

What exactly is changing in the energy efficiency classes?

It's actually quite simple: The usual "Plus" classes, such as A +++, A ++ and A +, are replaced by a uniform energy consumption scale from A to G. The seven-step color scale is retained. Due to changed measurement methods, it is not possible to convert the old label to the new label. Only approximate information is possible.

For the time being, the changes will not affect the tumble dryers, ovens and hoods. These are expected to be revised from 2022. So it is quite possible that you will find a C-Class washing machine next to an A +++ dryer.

The European manufacturers association (APPLIA) explains the background of the revision, deadlines, obligation of manufacturers and retailers, the new ecodesign requirements with regards to resource efficiency and the new energy label itself. Consumers will only see the new labels on the devices from March 1, 2021.

The new energy label for washing machines

With the redesigned energy label, some content innovations are introduced:

In general, a QR code will be found on all energy labels, which links to the EU product database EPREL. There you will find further information on the energy label and the product information sheet of the respective device.

The previous Plus classes (A +++, A ++ and A +) will no longer apply to the washing machine sector. The available energy efficiency classes then range from A to G.

The consumption of water and electricity is now no longer stated on the annual value, but per single cycle and 100 cycles respectively.
Also new are the introduced noise classes for the centrifugal noise from A-D to make the noise level in dB (A) more transparent.

The new energy label for washing machines

1. QR code
2. Energy efficiency class*
3. Weighted energy consumption* in kWh/100 operating cycles (in Eco 40-60 program)
4. Maximum load capacity
5. Duration of “Eco 40-60” cycle program in full load conditions
6. Weighted water consumption* in litres/operating cycle (in Eco 40-60 program)
7. Spin efficiency class*
8. Noise emissions during spin cycle expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW and noise emission class

*Values apply to quarter, half and full loads.

The new energy label for washer-dryers

As with all new energy labels, there will also be a QR code for the washer-dryer, which links to the EU product database EPREL. There you will find further information on the energy label and the product data sheet of the respective device.

For the washer dryer area, the available energy efficiency classes continue to range from A to G.

The complete layout of this product group will be revised. The washing and drying area and the washing area are shown on their own scale and the values for them are shown more clearly.

The consumption of water and electricity is now no longer stated on the annual value, but per cycle or 100 washing processes.
Also new are the introduced noise classes for the centrifugal noise from A-D to make the noise level in dB (A) more transparent.

The new energy label for washer-dryers

1. QR code
2. Energy efficiency class** (complete operating cycle)
3. Energy efficiency class* (wash cycle)
4. Weighted energy consumption in kWh/100 cycles (complete operating cycle**)
5. Weighted energy consumption* in kWh/100 cycles (wash cycle)
6. Maximum load capacity (complete operating cycle**)
7. Maximum load capacity (wash cycle)
8. Weighted water consumption in litres/operating cycle (complete operating cycle**)
9. Weighted water consumption* in litres/operating cycle (wash cycle)
10. Program duration (complete operating cycle**) in full load conditions
11. Duration of “Eco 40-60” program in full load conditions
12. Spin efficiency class*
13. Noise emissions during spin cycle expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW and noise emission class

*Values apply to washing quarter, half and full load. While washing and drying to half and full load.
**Wash and dry

The new energy label for dishwashers

As part of the standardisation process, the previous "Plus" classes (A +++, A ++ and A +) have also been replaced for dishwashers by a uniform scale from A to G. According to the previous standard, the new energy efficiency class B corresponds approximately to a device with A +++ -23 %.

In the future, a QR code will generally be found on all energy labels, which links to the EU product database EPREL. There you will find further information on the energy label and the product data sheet of the respective device.

Furthermore, new more realistic requirements (e.g. with pots) are introduced when specifying the place settings. Therefore, the values here will now be different compared to the old energy label.
The consumption of water and electricity is now no longer stated on the annual value, but per cycle or 100 flushing processes.
Also new are the introduced noise classes from A-D to make the noise level in dB (A) more transparent

The new energy label for dishwashers

1. QR code
2. Energy efficiency class
3. Energy consumption in kWh/100 operating Eco cycles
4. Number of standard place settings
5. Water consumption in litres/operating Eco cycle
6. Duration of the “Eco” cycle
7. Noise emissions expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW and noise emission class

The new energy label for refrigerators / freezers

There will also be a QR code on the labels of the refrigerators and freezers, which links to the EU product database EPREL. There you will find further information on the energy label and the product data sheet of the respective device.

The previous plus classes (A +++, A ++ and A +) will no longer apply to the area of cooling and freezing. The available energy efficiency classes then range from A to G. The new energy efficiency class A corresponds to a device with A +++ - 60% according to the previous standard.

As before, the consumption of electricity is reported on an annual basis.
A-D new noise classes are new in order to make the noise level in dB (A) more transparent.

The new energy label for refrigerators / freezers

1. QR code
2. Energy efficiency class
3. Energy consumption in kWh/year (measured under new standard conditions)
4. Total volume of all frozen compartments
5. Total volume of all unfrozen compartments
6. Noise emissions expresses in dB(A) re 1 pW and noise emission class

THE ECODESIGN regulation

In addition to the changed energy efficiency classes, the new ECODESIGN REGULATION also applies from 1st March 2021. This regulates the environmentally friendly design of products, the minimum availability of spare parts and the ability to recycle and repair.

The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of household appliances, taking into account the entire life cycle.

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