Energy efficiency classes: A ++ and its meaning
Energy labels can be found on numerous products these days. However, many consumers do not know the exact meaning of A +, A ++ or A +++. We clarify it.
A +, A ++, A +++: Energy efficiency classes and their meaning
In order to help the consumer with the purchase of a new device, there is the so-called "EU energy consumption label":
- You can find them in the electronics market, for example, on household appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, TVs, lamps or refrigerators. However, cars must also have a corresponding label.
- These are the cards on the devices, on which green to red bars with the letters A to G can be seen (see picture).
- An A stands for low energy consumption, a G for high energy consumption. Since the consumption limits for the classification were already set in 1994 and a lot has happened in the electronics industry in recent years, the standards are slightly out of date.
- Most refrigerators that you can buy today have the classification A. However, since there are still differences between the individual devices, the classification has been expanded to include the values A +, A ++ and 2010 by A +++.
- A ++ is therefore the second highest energy efficiency class. A device with this class is extremely low-consumption. But there are also devices with an even lower consumption.
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Purchase decision: A +, A ++ or A +++?
- Devices with a poorer energy efficiency class are usually cheaper to buy, but consume significantly more electricity and can therefore become more expensive in the long run. Although this is a common opinion, in reality it is not always true.
- In general, if you have to choose between two devices, it pays to choose the device with the better energy efficiency class, provided the two purchase prices do not differ too much.
- Washing machines are hardly wasteful these days. There are no major differences in terms of energy technology. For ovens and dishwashers, a higher energy class usually only pays off after 5 to 10 years.
- A lot of electricity can only be saved with dryers, here a better energy class can save over 100 euros per year in electricity costs.
- Before you buy, it is best to calculate how long you have to operate the more economical device in order to get the additional costs back. The kWh required for this can be found below the energy table.
- Buying a new device only to save electricity often only makes sense if the devices are already 15 years and older. All other information about the truth about energy classes can be found in the following CHIP article.