When you come to the store to buy household appliances, on the price tags sometimes you see not only the cost of the device, but also various and not always clear numbers and symbols illustrating certain characteristics and operating parameters of the unit. Today we will talk about letter designations characterizing the energy classes of refrigerators.

A modern kitchen can be anything: ascetic (minimalism is now in fashion), luxurious (you cannot forbid a beautiful life), “designer” (originality is always in price) ... But, anyway, no matter how extraordinary beauty there is a cooking room - without the refrigerator is defective. Just as any household appliance is inferior today without electricity. When plugging in one or another equipment, we don’t think that every kilowatt spent is used natural resources, as a rule, oil, coal or gas, harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Even nuclear energy, which in the process of generating electricity does not have a harmful effect on the environment, and therefore more and more is used, alas, is not a panacea. There is a problem of the disposal of nuclear fuel waste (a complex and expensive process). In addition, the cost of energy is constantly growing. Every year, the amounts in electricity bills increase quite significantly. All this pushed manufacturers household appliances  think about the efficiency of their devices.

Spell

Depending on the amount of electricity consumed, refrigerators are assigned classes. They are designated by the letters of the Latin alphabet (from A to G). At first there were 7 classes, but in 2003, due to the development of technology, it was decided to add 2 more to them: A + and A ++. At the same time, units marked A ++ are the most economical, the same ones that are marked with the G symbol are considered malicious waste of electricity. However, finding such a model on the market today is not an easy task. The competition is great, and manufacturers tirelessly care about reducing electricity consumption in their models. And why, in fact, look for her? Is it that in order to put in the museum of anachronisms?

It is almost impossible to catch a direct relationship between the letter that marks the refrigerator and the amount of kilowatt hours consumed. The energy consumption class is calculated by a rather complicated formula, which we did not consider appropriate in this material. The result is influenced by the volume of the cameras, the temperature in each of them, and the application of various innovations. So, a large side by side refrigerator Bosch KAN 58A40 with a volume of 507 liters consumes 522 kW / h of electricity per year. But the Ariston MBA 2200 with a volume of 370 liters will "eat" 360 kW / h. At the same time, both models belong to class A. As you can see, a large refrigerator in any case will spend more electricity, but this does not necessarily prevent it from belonging to a high class of energy consumption.

Each refrigerator has a special sticker on which the model name, energy consumption class, annual energy consumption, freezer and refrigerator volumes, temperature capabilities of the freezer (indicated by asterisks) and, at the request of the manufacturer, the noise level are indicated. You can find all these and other parameters inherent in various models on our website,.

Many owners of refrigerators are wondering - how much electricity should the unit consume? To answer this question is quite problematic, because each model uses a certain amount. However, as a rule, most refrigerators in operation consume up to about twenty percent of the total amount of electricity that is consumed in a private house or apartment.
   Currently, there are several categories of refrigeration equipment on the home appliance market that differ both in terms of electricity consumption and power. Accordingly, refrigerators that consume less electricity cost slightly higher. But, no matter how trite it may sound, even the most modern and high-quality refrigerators are not safe from breakdowns, which just can lead to increased electricity consumption.

So, we will consider what categories of refrigerators are today.

1) Super A, A ++ and A +  - This equipment can be attributed to the "premium" class. It has increased energy conservation.
2) Class A, B and C  - energy saving models.
   Category D refrigeration equipment belongs to the average level of consumption.
3) And the classes E, F, G  - refrigeration equipment, which is characterized by a high level of electricity consumption.

As you can see, there are many classes of refrigerators, and each of them differs in its parameters.

Now let's deal with the following - what factors affect the consumption of electricity?

   It should be said right away that the characteristics of electricity consumption declared by the manufacturer may not always correspond to reality. Quite often, owners of refrigerators notice that their equipment uses more electricity than stated by the manufacturer. Actually, what could be the reason for such an increase?

The reason may lie in the ambient temperature.. For example, if your refrigerator is located in a room where it is very hot, then the equipment will need more energy to work. Accordingly, in a cool room - less. In addition, energy consumption depends on the size of the refrigerator itself. After all, if the equipment is large, then more electricity will be needed to cool all the food chambers.
   Also, there are often situations when the refrigerator consumes excessive amounts of energy. There can be many prerequisites for this. We will deal with the most common.

First reason

   - the refrigerator operates without a pause (that is, it does not turn off for a long time). There can be a lot of factors affecting the non-stop operation of equipment. For example, a malfunction in the thermostat, compressor, evaporator, or air pipes.
Refrigerant leakage may also cause excessive energy consumption.. In order to accurately find out the cause of the breakdown, it is necessary to diagnose the unit, and if necessary, repair the refrigerator. Of course, it is unlikely that it will be possible to independently understand the failure without proper experience. Only a highly qualified specialist can accurately determine the problem.

The second reason for excessive power consumption is low voltage.

. It is worth noting that almost all modern refrigerators can operate with a voltage deviation of up to 180 V. But only in this case, the refrigerator increases energy consumption and becomes uneconomical.

The cost of repairing the refrigerator. Prices for replacement parts.

Services	Price *
Departure of the master
Diagnostics	500 rub
Elimination of extraneous sounds, noise and vibration in the refrigerator	from 1000 rub.
Replacement, soldering, crimping tubes	from 1200 rub.
Repair freon leaks in the system	from 1100 rub.
Electronics Repair	from 1800 rub.
Installation - dismantling of elements	from 800 rub.
Blockage in the drainage, in the evaporator	from 900 rub.
Replacing thermostat, thermostat	from 1100 rub.
Dehumidifier maintenance, replacement of heating dryer	from 1300 rub.
Evaporator Replacement Work	from 1500 rub.
Electrical wiring repair, circuit restoration	from 1900 rub.

   It should be noted that prices are for the work of the master without the cost of spare parts and consumables. The cost of the work is indicated approximately, and can both increase or decrease. The price also strongly depends on the brand of the refrigerator and the company of its manufacturer. The full cost of the entire repair, together with the details, is voiced by the master after the diagnostics for troubleshooting. And only after your consent starts repair.

A refrigerator is a necessary device in every home. Thanks to him, we can maintain the freshness of foods and dishes for a long time. In this connection, the choice of a refrigerator must be treated carefully. When choosing a device, it is necessary to take into account the design, manufacturer's rating, the given volume of the refrigerator and freezer compartment, size range and much more. Therefore, we decided to tell you about the energy class of the refrigerator in this review.

Importance

Why is the refrigerator energy class so important - what does it mean?
  The importance of this indicator is that the refrigerator works around the clock, winding hundreds of kilowatts of electricity, which is extracted from not unlimited natural resources. Agree, because even from the most mercantile point of view, to receive a receipt for the payment of light with a small amount is much more pleasant. That's why true family budget economists are eager to buy a refrigerator labeled A.

Manufacturers are trying to increase the level of productivity and demand for the device, so they sell refrigerators with various energy markings. So the European classification of equipment is indicated by Latin letters from A to G. It is calculated by a formula that is quite complex.

Kinds

Until about 2003, it was customary in Europe to distinguish seven main energy classes of refrigerators - A, B, C, D, E, F, G, they were formed on the basis of the energy efficiency index.

• The most favorable class of energy consumption of the refrigerator is A, its energy efficiency index is not more than 55%. But since recent days, and more precisely since 2003, the most effective A has been divided into two subclasses A + and A ++. They are highly effective. After all, progress does not stand still, production technologies are improving every day. In this connection, A + should not spend more than 42% of electricity; in turn, A ++ does not exceed 30% of energy consumption;

• Refrigerators with energy labeling B are also quite economical in comparison with C, but no less efficient than A. And they are also in great demand in the market of household appliances and electrical equipment. The average energy efficiency index ranges from 55 to 75%;
• C is significantly inferior to A and B, but also quite economical, the index ranges from 75 to 95% of energy consumption;
• Refrigerators marked D are less common, as the intermediate value is between 95 and 110%;

• As can be seen from the previous indicator, refrigerators labeled E, F, G are less economical. In this connection, like D are not produced, because they have a high level of energy consumption.

We can summarize the above: when buying a refrigerator, you must take into account the energy class. Since the cost of daily payments for electricity directly depends on it. So do not forget to look at the sticker on the refrigerator with the marking, if you do not find it, contact your consultant or read the technical passport.

Varieties of models

To clearly understand all the energy-saving labels of refrigerated trucks, we decided to choose the most relevant and sought-after models at an affordable price:

• As stated above, the favorites among all classes are A ++ models. They spend less electricity, such devices are most often single-chamber, the cost of which ranges from 19 thousand rubles. The most popular model of this class is LiebherrKTPes 1554 (it consumes only 127 kW / h.). The main competitors of this model of the refrigerator, the volume of which is 137 liters, are freezers. But unlike LiebherrKTPes 1554, they spend significantly more electricity about 260 kW / h;

• For A + refrigeration units, we decided to include the S 86378 KG model from AEG, the price range is from 45 to 55 thousand rubles. The energy consumption indicator is at least 315 kWh per year. In addition to the AEG manufacturer, we decided to highlight the Samsung RL-44 QEUS, almost identical in technical specifications, spend the same amount of electricity;
• Unlike the previous two classes, A is more "demanding" to the amount of electricity consumed, but at the same time the cost is no more than 21 thousand rubles. Representatives of this class include Ariston MBA 2200, the total volume is 370 liters, energy consumption per year is at least 360 kW / h. LiebherrCBNes 5067 is also located here, but the cost is quite high about 70 thousand rubles, but the total volume is higher, and the energy consumed is also more, at least 460 kW / h;
• Unlike categories A +, A ++, A, refrigerators of markings B and C are significantly lower in cost, but alas, they make the electricity meter spin faster. The most successful example of category B is the Gorenje RK 4295 E. Its cost does not exceed 20 thousand rubles, while it is two-chamber with a given volume of 275 liters;
• C is represented by the Biryusa 22 refrigeration unit (KShD-2 55), it is also two-chamber, with a total volume of 255 liters. The cost is significantly lower than about 10 thousand rubles, but at the same time it will help you pay about 548 kWh per year.

To summarize

As it turned out, the energy consumption of the refrigerator is an important indicator of budget savings, since the device works around the clock 365 days a year and can wind up a significant amount of electricity. Therefore, we presented the most common models of refrigerators, which are affordable in price and functionality. Which is better - you choose.

Energy efficiency class of household appliances: what is hidden behind the energy alphabet?

   In the rubric:

One of the serious criteria for selecting home appliances is the energy efficiency of appliances. The higher it is, the more profitably the devices work and the more economically they spend resources. Naturally, this affects prices: with an increase in class, the cost of the product also increases. But on what basis are the energy classes of household appliances determined, are they the same for all appliances, and what are the real operating parameters hidden behind them? For example, energy class A and A + - what is the difference?

Energy efficiency class labeling

Both in the European Union and in Russia, there are regulations and directives obliging manufacturers of household appliances to indicate the energy efficiency class of each product. Among those requiring labeling are refrigerators and freezers, washing and drying units, dishwashers, hobs, ovens, air conditioners, water heaters, etc.

To inform the consumer that he is buying, a label is glued to each device or simply put into documents, in which this class is indicated by a letter and color. The letter characteristic is one of the Latin letters from “A” to “G”: “A” is the best level, “G” is the least economical model. Some devices may be labeled “A +”, “A ++” or “A +++” - these are classes even higher than “A”. Letters are depicted on a background from green to red: the colder the color, the better. The highest energy efficiency class, of course, relies on the darkest green tint.

IMPORTANT! Assigning the energy class of the equipment depends on the type of device. It is impossible to compare the level of energy efficiency of a refrigerator and, for example, a microwave: due to differences in structure and function, with a similar labeling (say, both class A products) they can have different real indicators of energy consumption.

We will deal with the “alphabet” for each type of device and see what other information a sticker can provide in each individual case.

Refrigerator Energy Efficiency Class

Very powerful and also constantly turned on refrigerators and freezers are the main consumer of electricity in the house. Therefore, the energy class of freezers and refrigerators is a very serious factor of choice.

Refrigerators and freezers get the designation from "A +++" to "G". The class is determined by the energy efficiency index, calculated as the ratio of actual energy to nominal. For example, the energy consumption class “A +++” corresponds to an index of less than 22, and “G” - more than 150. This means that in comparison with averaged data, high-class refrigerators actually draw 5-6 times less energy, and the units of the latter class - one and a half times more.

Please note that behind the seemingly insignificant differences in the markings, a big run of real numbers can be hidden. Take, for example, the classes “A +++” and “A”: both refrigerators have excellent indicators of economical consumption of electricity. But, taking into account that the energy efficiency class “A” is hiding the index 42-55, it turns out that a device of class “A +++” consumes half the amount of electricity than a model of class “A”! Energy classes freezers  are similar.

Regarding the sticker, in addition to the discussed labeling of the energy efficiency class (1), which gives a general idea of \u200b\u200bthe economy of the refrigerator, it contains the following information:

Brand and model (2);

Annual electricity consumption, kWh (3);

Useful volumes of refrigerating (4) and freezing (5) chambers, l;

Noise generated, dB (6).

There are not so many refrigerators of the highest class of energy consumption “A +++” on the market, but they are: for example, Electrolux EN93888OX.

Energy efficiency class of washing machines

Washing and drying machines are the following voracious households whose appetites should be paid attention to BEFORE purchase. You can find energy efficiency classes of washing machines from "A +++" to "D", but they are assigned to washing machines in a completely different way than refrigeration technology.

The energy class of the machines until 2010 was continued up to the letter “G” and was determined by how much energy is spent on processing the laundry at full load and a temperature of 60 ° C. In this case, each marking is the consumption of electricity in kilowatt hours for washing one kilogram of cotton (for example, class “A” - less than 0.19 kWh / kg). A similar principle was used in the energy classes of drying machines (“A” is less than 0.55 or 0.51 kWh / kg, depending on the type of dryer). Naturally, for washing machines with a drying function, the energy consumption coefficient of each class is much larger than for a simple machine (“A” - less than 0.68 kWh / kg).

The new technique uses data on resource consumption at full and partial load, as well as at different temperatures in general for a year, assuming that the device goes through 220 full cycles. To determine the class of energy efficiency, the actual and standard resource costs are correlated. At a load of 6 kg, 1.52 kWh / cycle or 334 kWh / year is taken as 100%. So, calculate how much the A +++ machine will spend if its coefficient is less than 46, and how much A will spend if its index is 59-68.

IMPORTANT! There are cars with the same energy consumption, but at the same time belonging to different classes of energy consumption. And all because they can use it more or less rationally (for example, because of the difference in water consumption and the number of revolutions). Therefore, look at the energy efficiency class, wash class, spin class and other specifications in the complex.

Returning to the notorious sticker on the washing machine, in addition to the energy efficiency class (1), you will learn from it:

Brand and model (2);

Annual energy consumption, kWh (3);

Annual water consumption, l (4);

Spin class (and drying, if provided), from “A” to “G” (6);

Weight max load (cotton), kg (5);

The noise produced during washing (7) and spin (8), dB.

Among other things, the sticker on the dryer can read information about the type and time of drying.
  Among the washing machines of the highest energy consumption class, Hansa WHS1255DJR, Electrolux EWS 1477 FDW and Samsung WW60J5213LW can be distinguished. The energy efficiency class “A +++” corresponds to the Miele TKB 440 WP dryer.

Energy efficiency class dishwashers

Until 2010, the energy efficiency of dishwashers for each class was indicated in kilowatt hours spent on washing 12 sets of dishes. Less than 1.06 kWh corresponded to the upper class “A” for washing a set for 12 people. Now the classes after “D” have been abolished, the energy classes have been added to “A +++” and the principle of determining energy efficiency has changed.

The new index of the energy efficiency class of a dishwasher is calculated like washing machines: data on standby energy consumption plus 280 washing cycles are correlated with the average consumption. Such is the washing of 12 sets of utensils, which consumes 462 kWh of electricity per year. The highest energy efficiency class of dishwashers corresponds to an index of less than 50, the lowest - more than 90.

The energy efficiency of dishwashers is also inextricably linked with the washing / drying classes. They show how a particular dishwasher differs from an apparatus adopted as a standard.

In addition to class (1), the sticker indicates:

Trademark and model (2);

Annual energy consumption, kWh (3);

Annual water consumption, l (4);

Drying class, from "A" to "G" (5);

Number of sets of utensils (6);

Noise generated, dB (7).

The most economical models of the energy efficiency class “A +++” included Flavia BI 60 KAMAYA, Electrolux ESL 4650 RO and Bauknecht GSXP X264A3 dishwashers.

Air conditioner energy efficiency class

The energy consumption class of the air conditioner hides separate cooling (EER) and heating (COP) coefficients, which are defined as the amount of cold or heat generated when the device consumes one kilowatt of electricity under normal conditions at 100% load. Or in another way, the coefficients show how many times the cooling or heating power produced by the air conditioner is greater than the power consumption.

The energy efficiency class of air conditioner “A” corresponds to numbers above 3.2 and above 3.6 kW, respectively. Air conditioners of the lower class “G” are content with generating less than 2.2 and 2.4 kW. However, recall that this is under conditions accepted as normal. Given that the weather throughout Europe in recent years has become far from normal, seasonal indexes (SEER and SCOP) are now used, taking into account deviations from the norm of ambient temperature and other factors.

On the sticker of one of the four registered species, in addition to the energy class, you can find:

Brand and model code;

Type of air conditioner and cooling method;

Annual or hourly energy consumption at full load, kW;

Power of heating and cooling, kW;

Seasonal energy efficiency factors

Noise generated, dB;

Additional information depending on the type of air conditioner.

Air conditioners of the highest class of energy efficiency are powerful split systems that produce a lot of cold or heat per kilowatt of energy. These, for example, include the Mitsubishi Electric MSZ-FH25VE / MUZ-FH25VE.

TV energy efficiency class

Energy efficiency class of electric stoves

Summary

Energy efficiency and energy efficiency of household appliances can be considered synonymous: the correct use of resources brings savings. However, a high class of energy efficiency does not mean that the device consumes little electricity! For example, if you purchase a refrigerator with two compressors of the energy class “A ++”, it will naturally draw more electricity than an analogue with one compressor.

Thus, this indicator is important to consider when choosing household appliances, but in conjunction with its other specifications. In addition, it is worth remembering that the energy efficiency class of devices is individual for each category and takes into account the characteristics of a particular type of device.

Pay attention to the characteristics of household appliances BEFORE purchase and save not only on purchase, but also on operation!

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Elizabeth

Without a twinge of conscience, I ask the “telephone” from unfamiliar guys and girls. In order to check whether the lock button fits comfortably under your finger and whether autofocus works quickly :) I would like to visit MWC and keep a live blog from the thick of things.

• Julia 08/12/2015

  Honestly, when buying household appliances I did not think about energy efficiency and did not look at the marking at all. One of these days I’m going to choose a washing machine. Thanks to the author))

     Reply

• Timur 08/12/2015

  Question to the author of the article. Those. I understand correctly, if I bought a washing machine with class A +, does this not yet mean that it is energy efficient? And does energy efficiency depend on the number of revolutions per a washing machine?

     Reply

  • Anastasia 08/12/2015

    Answer Timur:

    All classes A correspond to high energy efficiency indicators, which in theory are calculated by manufacturers, so do not worry, the A + machine is a good choice.
      Regarding the speed of rotation of the drum - it no doubt affects the actual energy consumption, as well as the time and temperature of the wash. But on the indicator of energy efficiency, the number of revolutions is affected more likely in combination with other factors. You can find cars of the highest class energy efficiency A +++ with both 1600 and 800 revolutions.

       Reply

• Nickname 08/12/2015

  From personal experience I can observe a more or less complete practical picture. Living with a family (2 adults + 2 children) in one apartment is their own, and renting another apartment to tenants (also 2 adults + 2 children), electricity bills are very different. In his own apartment there are quite modern electric consumers, in the rented one - all the previous ones and rarities (mostly). The rhythms of life, interests and the fullness of technology coincide. Conclusion on the face ....

     Reply

  • Olegc15 08/13/2015

    Nick answer:

    The choice of household appliances is based on several parameters, many of which are hidden to the user. For example, the ratio of cost and the result obtained from energy saving. With ours, i.e. Russian subsidized electricity prices, you can only choose between very reliable, moderately reliable, or ... inexpensive equipment. Water really costs a penny. Economy refrigerators have 2 units by default and a chic door seal. Soft polyurethane. Washing machines  - special article. In short - while electricity is inexpensive, it makes little sense to save.

       Reply

    • Dmitry 12/02/2015

      Olegc15 answer:

      If you like, saving energy is not only a wallet, but also a planet. After all, there are a lot of TPPs in the world that burn coal and fuel oil and emit harmful substances - you cannot go far at hydroelectric power stations, solar panels and windmills.

         Reply

• Vladimir 08/12/2015

  How to determine the energy efficiency class of a Samsung LCD TV. I bought it 6 years ago, then there was no sticker on it.

     Reply

  • Anastasia 08/12/2015

    Answer Vladimir:

    The article has a plate with indexes that can be calculated for each TV model. I found the following calculation principle: it is necessary to divide the actual specific power consumption per square decimeter of the screen by the value taken as a standard. For the actual indicator, data are taken from the data sheet (the diagonal by which the screen area and power can be calculated in the online calculator). The reference power is calculated by the formula: P \u003d Pbasic + S × 4.3224 W / dm2, where S is the screen area in square decimeters. Pbasic is assumed to be 20 watts for a TV with one tuner, 24 watts for a TV with hard drives or two or more tuners, 28 watts for a TV with hard drives and two or more tuners, or 15 watts for a monitor. The resulting value is multiplied by 100% and verified with the table.

       Reply

• Namik 08/12/2015

     Reply

  • Anastasia 08/13/2015

    Namik answer:

    I think that in connection with the reason voiced by you, the need for such a classification may disappear. But most likely the equipment will still differ in energy efficiency, so another option for the development of events is to rename classes with a return to the list from A, B, C and further with new corresponding indices. It’s not forever that they add the pluses to A :)

       Reply

What is the energy capacity of the refrigerator? Refrigeration equipment consumes during operation up to 20% of the total electricity consumed in the apartment. Several classes of equipment are presented on the market, which differ in power and in the level of electricity consumption. The lower the energy capacity of the equipment, the higher its cost. However, even such refrigerators are not insured for breakdowns, which can lead to an increase in energy consumption.
Classes of refrigerators
In total, there are several classes of refrigerators on the market that differ in the level of electricity consumption:
A +, Super A, A ++ - refrigeration equipment with increased energy saving;
Equipment C, B, A classes - energy-saving;
D-class - refrigerators with an average level of energy consumption;
E, F, G –classes - equipment with a high level of energy consumption.

What affects electricity consumption?
The energy consumption characteristics of the refrigerator declared by the manufacturer may not always correspond to reality. Often, users notice that their equipment begins to consume above the norm, as can be seen on receipts for electricity. What could be the reason for the excess energy consumption of refrigeration equipment?
First of all, the ambient temperature affects energy consumption. If the equipment is placed in a cool room, it needs less energy to function. The volume of refrigeration equipment is also important. Dimensional equipment needs a solid amount of energy to ensure full cooling of the camera.
Affects energy consumption and occupancy of the internal space. If the refrigerator inside is half empty, it will consume less energy than a crowded appliance.

What to do if the refrigerator consumes excessive energy?
Increased power consumption can occur for a variety of reasons:
The refrigerator works a lot, does not turn off. The problem is a malfunction - refrigerant leakage, breakdown of the thermostat, evaporator, air supply pipes, compressor. A qualified craftsman with the equipment to detect equipment breakdowns can accurately determine the problem;
Low voltage- Modern models of refrigeration equipment can work even with a voltage deviation of up to 180 V. However, in such situations they become uneconomical, since they increase energy consumption for proper cooling.
If the reason for the high energy consumption is the overcrowding of the refrigerator, the high temperature in the kitchen, this can be eliminated personally. However, if it is a matter of internal breakdowns of parts, it is best to call a qualified service center employee. He will quickly identify the problem, and if necessary, repair, replace components.