What a label is for
An appliance energy label is a standardised way to compare products of the same type. Because every model is tested using the same procedure, a shopper can compare a fridge with another fridge, or a washing machine with another washing machine, without relying on marketing language.
Labels differ by region and by product, so the details below are general. Always check the guidance for your own country and the particular appliance you are buying.
The main parts of a label
Many labels share a similar layout, though the exact content varies.
An efficiency class. This is the prominent letter or rating. In several places, including the European Union and the UK, a scale from A to G has been used for many appliance types after earlier scales with extra plus signs were replaced. The change was meant to leave room at the top of the scale and to make comparisons clearer. In other regions, a star rating or a certification mark such as an Energy Star logo plays a similar role. These systems are not directly interchangeable, so a rating from one scheme should not be assumed to mean the same as one from another.
An energy figure. Labels commonly show energy use per year, per 100 cycles or per cycle, depending on the product. This number is often more informative than the letter, because two products in the same class can still differ in actual use.
Other performance figures. Depending on the product, these might include water use per cycle, capacity in kilograms or place settings, noise level, spin performance or programme length. For fridges and freezers, the label typically shows storage volume and sometimes the climate class the appliance is designed for.
How the numbers are produced
The figures come from laboratory tests under set conditions. For example, a washing machine might be tested on a specific programme and load pattern. That makes comparisons fair, but real life does not look like the test:
- You may use a different programme, such as a quick or hot wash.
- Your loads may be smaller or larger than the test loads.
- Room temperature, water temperature and food habits differ.
- Door openings and stocking patterns affect a fridge.
So the number is a guide, not a prediction of your bill. If you use the appliance very differently from the standard test, your result could be higher or lower.
What a label leaves out
It is worth knowing what is absent, because the label can give an impression of completeness that it does not have.
- Manufacturing impact. The label covers energy during use, not the materials and energy used to make the product. A life cycle assessment is the usual way to look at this wider picture, and results vary by product.
- Lifespan and repairability. A highly rated appliance that fails early or cannot be repaired may be a worse choice than a slightly lower-rated one that lasts. Some regions are introducing repairability information, but it is not on every label.
- Where your electricity comes from. The label shows energy used, not its carbon intensity. The same appliance has a different footprint on a low-carbon electricity supply than on a high-carbon one, and the electricity grid in your area changes over time.
- Detergent, hot water source and other running details. Hot water for dishwashers and washing machines may come from your boiler rather than a fixed supply, and detergent choices matter too.
- Overall running cost in your home. Local energy prices, tariffs and usage patterns all affect cost.
Using a label well
- Compare like with like. Compare products of the same type and, where possible, similar capacity. A larger appliance may use more energy in total but less per kilogram or per item, so check what the figure refers to.
- Look at the figure, not only the letter. Two models in the same class can differ in actual use.
- Check the capacity you need. A big appliance that you run half empty may use more than a smaller one would.
- Consider the other numbers. Water use, noise and cycle length can matter as much as energy for your home.
- Think about the full cost. The cheapest product to buy may cost more to run, and the most efficient may not pay back its price premium for many years, especially if you use it lightly. Whether it pays back depends on your usage and energy prices, which are uncertain.
Labels and other claims
An energy label is regulated in many places, which makes it more reliable than a vague claim on the box. That is different from general marketing terms like “eco” or “green”. Treat unregulated wording with the caution suggested in our notes on greenwashing claims, and remember that a voluntary logo is not the same as an official rating. Learning what eco-label certifications actually cover can help you tell which marks are backed by independent checks.
A realistic role for labels
Labels are a useful starting point rather than a verdict. They help you rule out clearly inefficient models and compare close candidates, but they will not tell you how long a machine will last or how you will use it. Pair the label with reviews of reliability, availability of spare parts and your own habits, and you will have a better basis for a decision than any single number provides.