There are 7 key energy efficiency classes in use today: A, B, C, D, E, F, G. Classes are assigned to electronic appliances based on the number of kilowatts they consume during operation. Each letter is marked on a background of a certain color from green to yellow, and then to red.
In Europe, energy classes have been used since 1995 for household and office appliances, depending on the power consumption. Every appliance manufactured in Europe must be marked with a label and the corresponding energy label. The classes are marked with Latin letters on a scale from Avery efficient devices) to G (appliances with high energy consumption).
Stickers for each class are also marked with a shade on a scale: A, B, and C are marked in green and further ones in yellow and red.
What this rating has an effect on
Initially, let's explain what the energy efficiency of appliances is. It is related to the amount of electricity consumed by office and household appliances, and the possibility of setting the economy mode at lower power. This indicator affects the amount of electricity used and the power of the appliance itself during operation.
Energy efficiency classes are a specially developed labeling scale that provides the consumer with the most complete information about the degree of power consumption of the equipment. With the help of this labeling you can intelligently choose the equipment for household and office use and significantly save on electricity bills. And focusing on the marking, you can choose the equipment with a combination of high power and efficiency.
It should be noted that devices with powerful motors (for example, washing machines), can not provide a low level of consumption. However, such appliances are classified as class A, because the indicators of engine and water heater power are taken into account.
It is unacceptable to compare appliances from different categories by class, because devices from the same class but different categories may have different energy efficiency ratings in their categories.
To be sure that your appliances are highly energy efficient, choose class labels A, A+, A++, A+++ with a green background. Calculation of energy efficiency is based on the technical characteristics of the appliance and the mode of operation. For example, the power consumption for a washing machine is calculated on the basis of the maximum allowable load and the energy consumed per hour of operation. The oven is labeled based on power and volume. And when calculating the index for an air conditioner, the presence of a heating mode, the number of channels in the split system and the presence of water cooling are taken into account.
Types of energy efficiency classes of electric appliances
When purchasing appliances, you should be guided by their energy efficiency class and category. Here is a detailed deciphering of the letter symbols that indicate the energy efficiency classes:
- А (including A+, A++, A+++) imply an energy consumption 45% lower than the standard mode. This group includes appliances with the lowest energy consumption, which are designed for a long service life of up to 15 years;
- B and energy efficiency class C mean that the appliances consume 25% and 5% less electricity, respectively. The group includes economical appliances, but they are characterized by lower capacity and reduced efficiency;
- D, E. The appliances consume 100 and 110% of electricity, respectively, and are marked in yellow, which corresponds to the medium level of energy efficiency;
- F, G. The appliances are not economical in operation, they consume 25% more electricity.
According to European standards, all purchased appliances must have a certain energy efficiency class, i.e. a label of the appropriate color on the scale and a letter designation is glued on the body and in the passport of the appliances.
High energy efficiency class A includes the most efficient and productive appliances, and modern appliances of classes A+, A++ and A+++ are preferred for purchase. All appliances for home and office use should be labeled:
- Refrigerators and freezers;
- washing machines;
- air conditioners;
- electric stoves and ovens;
- dishwashers;
- microwave ovens;
- televisions;
- air heaters;
- electric water heaters;
- lamps.
The difficulty is that the energy efficiency classes for different types of devices are based on the calculation of different specifications.
Let's look at how different electric power-consuming appliances get a certain affiliation class:
- In washing machines, the ratio of power per hour and the maximum permissible load weight is taken into account. In some cases, the appliances are indicated separately on the power consumption class, washing and spinning;
- in electric ovens, the volume of the chamber and power are taken into account;
- for dishwashers, a separate calculation of dishwashing and drying efficiency is set;
- the class of air conditioners is calculated on the basis of the ratio of the cold flow capacity index to the actual electricity consumption for cooling;
- for refrigerators and freezers, the affiliation is calculated by the ratio of the actual electricity consumption to the standard one;
- the class of television equipment is determined by power consumption and screen area.
So, regardless of the method of calculation, the power consumption index directly affects the efficiency of the device. It is recommended to pay attention to the marking and to purchase energy-saving appliances that provide sufficient power level with lower electricity consumption. Class A appliances are more expensive than others, but over the life of the appliances will be saved in the electricity consumed.
