There are lots of decisions to make when you’re purchasing a new appliance, such as size, brand, and colour. However, energy efficiency is a hot topic, and it’s an important factor that should be considered. Not only will it reduce your carbon footprint, but energy efficiency can also help you save money. Since the energy label was introduced, there have been significant improvements in energy saving technology. This meant that all new products were being given the top rating for efficiency. As a result, the label has been recalibrated to make it easier for you to compare models when purchasing a new appliance.
In 2020, the UK introduced a new energy label. By spreading energy performance over a much wider scale, you will find it easier to compare efficiency across products. Plus, it will also set new standards for energy saving appliances, bringing further savings to you as well as meeting environmental commitments set by manufacturers and the Government.
The energy label has supported consumers in the search and selection of energy efficient appliances for more than 25 years. It has driven the development of innovative, energy efficient products, dramatically reducing the energy consumption and running costs of appliances. As consumers became more environmentally aware, products started to be more energy efficient, occupying the top of the scale. The top categories had to be expanded by bringing in the ‘+’ signs, making it more difficult for consumers to identify the most energy efficient models.
Introduced on 1 March 2021 the new rescaled energy label will help you on your quest for energy efficient products and will encourage manufactures to develop even more energy efficient technologies in the future. The rescaled energy label for refrigerators and freezers is very similar to the old label. The overall design has been brushed up, it has a new scale from A to G and a QR code has been added. The QR code links directly to a page where you can find further information about the product. This rescale also includes washing machines, combined washer-dryers, and televisions and electronic displays. Read more on www.energylabel.org.uk.
Tips for using a refrigerator:
Get rid of your old refrigerator. Old refrigerators and freezers absolutely guzzle electricity, so you should give serious thought to buying a new appliance. Liebherr offers a wide range of highly energy-efficient appliances in the highest energy efficiency class currently available, A+++. With our CBPesf 4043 fridge-freezer we have become the only manufacturer currently offering an appliance with an energy efficiency level that is 20% below the A+++ efficiency class threshold.
You should keep an even temperature of 5ºC in your refrigerator. The energy consumption rises every time you lower the temperature inside your refrigerator. The optimum temperature for refrigerator operation is 5 °C, and -18 °C for freezer operation. As a rule of thumb, for each additional degree of refrigeration output about six percent more electricity is used. An accurate temperature setting can therefore directly save you money.
You could choose a refrigerator with a digital thermostat as these are more precise. If you buy a fridge/freezer, you could choose a model with separate thermostats for each compartment.
Consider where you store your food in the refrigerator. The temperature in a refrigerator is lower at the bottom and the back and higher at the front and in the refrigerator door.
Location is crucial. Never place your refrigerator next to a heat source such as an oven, hob or radiator, and avoid direct sunlight. Regardless of whether you have a freestanding appliance or a built-in one, always ensure that your refrigerator has sufficient ventilation so that the compressor does not end up running continuously. Note: we have covered the five main points you should consider when planning a kitchen in this article. You should not place your refrigerator directly against the wall as this prevents the air flow that your refrigerator requires to function efficiently. This also applies to and freezers and wine coolers.
Buy an energy-efficient appliance. The information on the energy label gives a clear indication of a refrigerator’s energy efficiency. The following rule of thumb applies: the more + signs after the A, the more energy efficient and economical the appliance.
Always close the door without delay. Every time the refrigerator door is opened, cold air escapes and warm ambient air enters. To compensate for the temperature increase in its interior, the refrigerator must then use energy to bring the temperature back down. Always avoid opening the door unnecessarily and for too long.
Defrost food in the refrigerator. When defrosting frozen food place it in the refrigerator. Not only does this ensure that the food is carefully defrosted, its presence cools down the refrigerator interior, reducing the amount of work that the compressor has to do, and therefore lowering energy consumption.
Only place cold food in the refrigerator. Never put warm food in the refrigerator as this will heat up the interior, as well as other stored foods. Hot food should always be allowed to cool to room temperature before placing it in the refrigerator.
Defrost the freezer compartment. A thick layer of ice in the freezer compartment acts as a form of insulation and the appliance has to use more energy to cool the interior; therefore, we recommend that you regularly defrost your freezer. Liebherr has a great alternative in this regard – appliances with Liebherr’s NoFrost technology never need to be defrosted!
Check door seals regularly. The rubber seal is used for insulation purposes and prevents heat exchange between the ambient air and the refrigerator. It is important to regularly check that the seal is fully intact and sealing tightly. Should this not be the case, replace it immediately! Also, make sure that stored items don’t prevent the door from closing properly.
Energy Efficiency Ratings
All electrical appliances – such as dishwashers, fridges and washing machines – have to carry a Europe-wide energy label which indicates how efficient (or inefficient) they are. At present, appliances are graded on a scale from G (the least efficient) up to A (the most efficient). For certain products, grade A is split into a further three categories: A+, A++ and A+++. As more and more items are now hitting the top end of the scale, the categories are becoming less obvious, so appliance makers are currently in transition back to the A-G scale. For now at least however, there are some product categories where the best models can receive an A+++ rating. This includes newer models of fridges, freezers and washing machines. The grade a device gets is based on the amount of energy it uses per hour. The lower its kWh (kilowatt hours) consumption, the more efficient the appliance is – and the better its rating.
Looking at the energy-efficiency ratings is necessary when shopping for new white goods, so keep an eye out for the coloured sticker on the appliance, showing its rating from A+++ to G. The most efficient devices are colour-coded green, with the least efficient in red. Looking at the energy-efficiency ratings is necessary when shopping for new white goods, so keep an eye out for the coloured sticker on the appliance, showing its rating from A+++ to G. The most efficient devices are colour-coded green, with the least efficient in red.
As you have to leave your fridge and freezer switched on 24 hours a day, it’s particularly important to make sure they are as efficient as possible. Every fridge and freezer sold today must have an energy-efficiency rating of between A+ and A+++. While older models are likely to be rated from A to G, anything that falls below an A+ rating is no longer allowed to be sold.
If your fridge is over 10 years old – or seems inefficient – you might want to think about replacing it before it stops working altogether, as older models will have much higher running costs than today’s A-rated appliances.
Generally speaking, this means the bigger the internal volume of the fridge or freezer, the more it will cost to run. With this in mind, you should choose the smallest fridge – or fridge freezer – you can, as this should be cheaper to run. This might, for example, mean buying a smaller B-rated model, rather than a large A-rated one.
Other Appliances
Dishwasher
In the past, it was more efficient to do the dishes by hand, but you may now be able to use less heat and water if you invest in a highly efficient dishwasher. Once again, the key is to look for a model with a high energy-efficiency rating.
Tips for using a dishwasher:
- Make sure your dishwasher is as full as possible before you press go
- Check that it’s loaded correctly, and not over-filled or some items won’t get clean
- Make use of any eco settings it has
- If you are washing the dishes by hand, don’t leave the hot water running. Fill up the sink with hot suds instead, which will save you both water and energy
Washing Machines and Dryers
Even if you’re not in a position to upgrade your washing machine to a more efficient model, there are still steps you can take to improve energy efficiency:
- Try a 30 degree wash rather than 40 degrees
- Only wash full loads – or use the half-load or eco settings
As tumble dryers use a lot of energy, it’s best to seek out alternatives wherever you can. Hanging wet laundry out on a washing line is the most energy-efficient way to get stuff dry as it’s completely free, though this may not be an option if you don’t have space – plus we can’t always rely on the Great British weather.
If you need a tumble dryer, the key is to look for a model with an A+ or A++ rating, which will help you keep your energy bills under control. Equally, if money is no object, you may even be able to stretch to an A+++ model, but be warned, these dryers can be pretty pricey.
Tips for using a tumble dryer:
- Be sure to clean the lint filter after every few uses – this will help it run more efficiently
- Only use it with a full load
- Make sure your washing is untangled before putting it in so items can tumble easily
In 2020, the UK introduced a new energy label. By spreading energy performance over a much wider scale, you will find it easier to compare efficiency across products. Plus, it will also set new standards for energy saving appliances, bringing further savings to you as well as meeting environmental commitments set by manufacturers and the Government.
