{"id":35487,"date":"2021-02-01T14:20:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T14:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/?p=35487"},"modified":"2021-04-19T18:29:34","modified_gmt":"2021-04-19T17:29:34","slug":"what-are-energy-labels-and-how-are-they-changing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ratedpeople.com\/blog\/what-are-energy-labels-and-how-are-they-changing","title":{"rendered":"What are energy labels and how are they changing?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Whether you\u2019re dreaming of upgrading to a futuristic smart fridge<\/strong><\/a> or just need to replace a washing machine on its last legs, energy efficiency<\/strong><\/a> is one thing you shouldn\u2019t ignore when it comes to buying a new home appliance. The more energy efficient an appliance is, the likelier it is to last longer and work better than a model that uses more energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Comparing the energy labels of different models is one of the quickest ways to find an appliance that could reduce both your energy bill and your carbon footprint. In 2021, the Label 2020 project<\/strong><\/a> is changing the way they work. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about the new UK energy labels in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What are energy labels?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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An energy label clearly points out the energy efficiency rating of a household electrical appliance, in a visual way. Whether you buy the appliance online or in-store, an energy label should be provided with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why are energy labels put on appliances?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Energy labels tell you exactly how much electricity an appliance uses, as well as other information that\u2019s specific to the product category. For example, a washing machine\u2019s load capacity can be found on its energy label. So, energy labels cut down on the time you\u2019d spend researching the overall energy efficiency of an appliance before choosing to buy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also encourage manufacturers and retailers to produce and sell energy efficient products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How do energy labels work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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At the moment, energy labels use a ranking scale ranging from A+++ to G, with the highest efficiency appliances being awarded Class A+++. The least energy efficient appliances are placed in Class G.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you buy an A+++ fridge (200L) rather than an A+ one, then you could save \u00a3100 over the fridge\u2019s lifetime, according to the Label 2020 project<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

79% of consumers look at energy labels when they\u2019re in the market for a new appliance, according to the European Commission<\/strong><\/a>. However, research<\/a><\/strong> has found that the current ranking scale (as above) is confusing to understand. Plus, many of the appliances available on the market are already in the top two to three ranks, making it hard for consumers to tell which model is the most energy efficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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How energy labels are changing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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From March 2021, a new energy label will be gradually introduced across the UK. New features on the label include:  <\/p>\n\n\n\n