How to buy the right energy efficient appliance for your home
Ah, the energy efficiency label. It’s that multi-coloured sticker with the letters stuck on the front of the new appliance you want to buy. You know it has to be there and you know it’s important, but you may very well disregard it in favour of other purchasing decision factors like style, size and price. However, an appliance’s energy efficiency label shouldn’t be ignored. It stores a wealth of information in a simple format that can help you make educated appliance purchasing decisions.
Why are energy efficiency labels important?
It’s simple. Energy efficiency labels indicate the energy efficiency of the appliance in question. Appliances that are energy efficient use less electricity to achieve the same level of performance to similar models with the same size or capacity. The more energy efficient a model, the less energy it will use and the less it will cost you to run. That’s why choosing the right product (with the right energy efficiency) will save you money on your energy bills, not to mention the impact on the environment.
The ratings on the energy efficiency labels that run from A+++ to D (A+++ being the best, D being the poorest), are defined by the EU for each type of appliance through a number of different tests and criteria. This means the ratings can only be compared between one type of appliance.
Fun fact: All Grundig home appliances carry an energy efficiency rating of A+ or above.
In a nutshell, energy efficient appliances are designed and tested to make your world, and the world around you, better. Let’s take a closer look at what energy efficiency labels mean for your largest, most energy-consuming kitchen appliances.
The more energy efficient a model, the less energy it will use. © Grundig
Refrigeration
Fridges and freezers are running constantly, making them the second biggest consumer of energy in the home (after central heating systems). Energy usage rates vary from home to home, research suggests that in the typical European home, around 13% of your energy bill can be attributed to running your fridge. That’s why since 2012, all new refrigeration appliances must legally have a rating of A+ or higher. This is to ensure all new products are meeting the EU’s energy efficiency guidelines. Anything that falls below an A+ rating cannot be sold.
The energy consumption of fridges and freezers is calculated based on efficiency related to the size of the appliance. This is worked out through tests designed to simulate how the appliance will be used. The outside temperature during the test is set to 25°C, and the appliance is half filled with produce while energy efficiency is measured. Naturally, if you want to ensure your fridge is as energy efficient as possible, its positioning is important. Placing it in a sunny area, for example, can result in your fridge working extra hard to maintain its temperature. And the energy efficiency of your appliance will plummet.
Grundig fridges and freezers run as efficiently as possible. © Grundig
To ensure that they perform at their energy-efficient best, Grundig fridges and freezers are designed with No Frost Technology. This ensures there is no ice build-up inside, so the freezer runs as efficiently as possible. A++ energy efficiency ratings ensure you’ll save up to 40% on your energy bills compared to A rated products. Pretty cool, huh?
Laundry
As with fridges and freezers, washing machines today are rated between A+++ and D for energy efficiency. Washing machine ratings are calculated by looking closely at annual kilowatt hours used by the machine on both 40°C and 60°C cotton cycles. Estimated suggest that around 80-90% of the energy used by a standard washing machine is used to heat the water (unless the machine is also connected to a hot water tap). It goes without saying that older top loader washing machines generally use more water and energy. That’s why modern, energy efficient washing machines tend to be front loaders.
Grundig washing machines are among the most energy efficient on the market. © Grundig
Grundig’s energy efficient washing machines are A+++ rated, meaning they are among the most energy efficient on the market. This is in large part thanks to SenseWash technology, a feature that automatically selects the most suitable wash for the amount of laundry in the drum. The large capacity of Grundig washing machines also allows you to fit more in each wash. That cuts down the number of washes, and saves you money on both energy and water bills.
Dishwashers
It’s the same story for dishwashers in your home. They are rated between A+++ and D for energy efficiency. Energy efficiency in dishwashers is calculated by measuring the amount of energy used when tableware is washed on the standard cycle. Rinsing and drying cycles are also tested. Not only will the energy efficiency label provide you with the appliance rating, but other important info like: the company that placed the dishwasher on the market, the machine model, the annual energy consumption in kWh, the average annual water consumption in, the dishwasher’s rated capacity and the sound power level.
A built-in range Grundig EcoChamp 5.5. L Dishwasher is super efficient. © Grundig
Grundig’s full-sized energy efficient dishwashers can wash a full family load using only six litres of water – the lowest water consumption on the market. (The Grundig EcoChamp 5.5 Litre Dishwasher requires no more than 5.5 litres of water for a single load thanks to its brushless motor). Thanks to the full-size capacity, the dishwashers allow you to wash everything at the same time. Simply place pots and pans on the bottom with more delicate items in the top rack. Have a look at how to pack your dishwasher for more details. This saves you from having to do two separate loads, and subsequently cuts down on your energy bills.
Making smart decisions about household appliances can be a tricky business, but armed with a new understanding of energy efficiency labels you can take control of your energy usage without sacrificing life’s creature comforts.
