A new rescaled Energy Label to help the consumer
Purchase the most energy-efficient products and save on costs and energy consumption
The temperatures have dipped and so have our spending habits. The cost-of-living crisis continues to hit home, with tough decisions to be made on what we spend on and how we can reduce our energy use at home.
With the festive shopping season around the corner, we’re all keen to enjoy the buzz of shopping for friends and loved ones while also picking up some bargains on electrical products this Black Friday.
But how do we balance getting ready for all this spending against preparing for a costly winter when purse-strings are already pretty tight?
Energy Labels
One very straightforward way to be more cost and energy-conscious with our electricity use is by checking the label on our electrical products!
Yes, really.
This might sound mega-simplified or too obvious, but electrical products and appliances can really vary in their energy efficiency, so there’s a risk of a real drain on electricity consumption which leads to increased costs on your electricity bill.
The Energy Label, that appears on electrical appliances, will inform your general awareness around electricity use for the products you buy, so that you can make better spending decisions at the checkout and when shopping online.
3 Good Reasons to Check the Energy Label
- Choosing energy efficient appliances will save you money on your energy bills
- The label is there to help you make an informed decision
- The label gives you the choice to purchase the most energy efficient appliance within your budget
How to read the new label
QR Code – this QR code gives access to more product info from the European database of energy labelled products
The A to G Scale – this scale shows the energy efficiency of the product, helping consumers to choose the best products on the market
Energy consumption – the energy consumption of the product in kWh per annum or 100 cycles
Icons – The icons show additional info including; product capacity, noise level, water consumption and program time
High energy-consuming appliances you should check
If you plan on buying any of the below new electrical appliances, you should check the energy label. These electrical products generally consume more energy than other appliances.
- Electric showers
- Tumble dryers
- Wet goods
- Fridges
- Cookers/ovens
- Kettles
So, get yourself fully ready to make the best energy and money-saving choices ahead of the festive shopping season and Black Friday this month – check the energy label, get to know the meanings and icons featured and save yourself real expense before you hit the physical or virtual check-outs!
For further information, visit the Energy Labelling section of SEAI.ie and also have a look at the video below for further info on the new EU energy label.
The Rescaled Energy Label
Many electrical products, such as washing machines, dishwashers, fridges, TVs and light bulbs have a rescaled energy label. All rescaled products have a lower energy efficiency class than before. For example, a fridge-freezer that was previously an A+++ may become a C after the rescaling, even though its energy actual consumption has not changed. The rescaled labels are easier to understand and ensure more better, more energy efficient products enter the market .
The new energy labels make it easier for us all, consumers and businesses alike, to choose the most energy efficient product within our respective budgets.