Freezers are rated from A++ - D with A++ being the most energy efficient. When planning a kitchen it is important to place the freezer away from cookers or boilers as the heat generated frrom these appliances means that the freezer has to work harder to keep the temperature low. Limit the amount of times the freezer door is opened as the temperature inside the appliance will warm up.. Keep the door open for as short a time as possible too.

Energy rates explained 

Reliability of freezer ratings 

Freezer energy saving features 

Lifespan of freezers 

Freezer developments 

The Energy Efficient Commitment 

Freezer energy saving tips 

What is a frost-free freezer? 

Vacuum Insulated Panels - the future of the freezer? 

Energy rates explained

Back in 1995, the European Energy Label was introduced for all major domestic cold appliances – including fridges, freezers and fridgefreezers. This label incorporated an energy efficiency classification that rated each appliance on its merits on a scale from A to G. A was the most energy efficient rating, making a noticeable difference in household energy consumption and helping to reduce fuel bills, while G was the poorest. Consumers saw the labelling system amended in 1999 with the introduction of the ‘Maximum Consumption Directive’. This meant that only a fridge, freezer or fridgefreezer with an Energy Label rating of A to C could be sold, as new, on the European market. The only exclusion to this rule was the chest freezer; manufacturers could still sell D and E rated products in this line. Although alternative regulations have since replaced this directive in 2007, the same values apply today. The Energy Labelling system proved to be a huge success. Only 2% of cold appliances sold in the UK in 1999 were ‘A’ rated, but that figure increased to 65% in 2005/6. The proliferation of energy efficient fridges, freezers and fridgefreezers on the market meant that consumers were getting cheaper bills and starting to save money on their energy consumption. With rocketing fuel prices across the globe, this saving couldn’t have come at a better time. The Energy Label has since been revised in 2004, to extend the classification upwards by introducing two new classes, A+ and A++, which offer even better energy efficiency than the existing ‘A’ rating. These new gradings were conceived as an interim arrangement until a more comprehensive revision of the existing labelling system can take place.

Reliability of freezer ratings

 Some questions have been raised regarding the reliability of the tests used to rate the energy efficiency of freezers. The existing Energy Label test methodology allows for freezer testing with or without drawers for the three-day test period, and they’re often tested without. This means that the volume of the freezer is larger, a factor that could potentially cause a negative impact on energy labelling, making the freezer seem less energy efficient than it is in reality. Arguments have been put forward that freezers should be tested ‘as sold’ – so if a freezer is sold with drawers, then it should be tested for energy efficiency with the drawers in place. There is potential for the test results to be ‘tinkered’ with for optimum performance rather than real-life usage, and such manipulation could possibly bring energy labelling into disrepute. Critics have also pointed out that freezer doors aren’t opened during the three-day test period. This might not seem very serious, but some models contain an ‘adaptive defrost’ system which reacts to door opening and greater compressor cycling. With door opening not taking place, the energy ratings may be different from real-life usage. Similarly, some models go to ‘sleep’ when the doors are not opened for a lengthy period. This would cut down on the freezer’s energy consumption during the test but does not represent the realistic daily use of such an appliance. Clearly, freezers should be tested in the same conditions as they’re sold on the market. Only by doing this will customers be able to choose the right appliance, helping to save money and leading to cheaper bills in the future.

Freezer energy saving features 

In UK households, freezers and other domestic cold appliances are second only to central heating in terms of energy usage. This is because these are the only appliances which are switched on and fully working all of the time, causing a constant drain on the mains. Because of this, UK householders currently spend £1.5 billion on electricity every year on domestic cold appliances, freezers among them. Unsurprisingly, 44% of consumers are of the belief that low running costs are a very important feature when it comes to buying a freezer, whether it’s an integrated freezer or otherwise. In a survey, running costs came second only to storage capacity in terms of appliance importance. It’s no surprise. The global rise in fuel prices means that householders must do all they can to reduce fuel bills and improve energy efficiency. Buying an energy efficient freezer is still the best way towards cheaper bills, but some freezers on the market now do offer some energy saving features, limited though they may be. Types of features include freezers with a much thicker insulation than is standard, which means less heat is able to escape through the housing, so the appliance requires less electricity to run and keep cold. Other freezers offer automatic door closing which avoids the problem of doors being accidentally left open, or alternatively some feature an alarm if a door is left open for an extended period. These features amongst others will allow householders to cut down on energy wastage and make their home as energy efficient as possible.

Lifespan of freezers

These days, we’re all looking for ways to save money and get cheaper bills, something that isn’t easy with the constant rise in energy prices. So buying a new kitchen appliance, whether it’s an integrated freezer or a stand alone appliance, isn’t something we might initially consider. However, representatives in the domestic appliance industry have recommended the early replacement of old freezers so that householders might become more energy efficient. Today, 16% of households in the UK own a chest freezer, while almost 30% own an upright freezer. As these appliances run 24/7, it’s important to own a model with high energy efficiency so that we can reduce fuel bills. 15 years is the suggested lifespan of an upright freezer, while 16 years is the lifespan of a chest freezer. However, a German study, conducted on environmental grounds, has suggested that A+ rated energy efficient freezers could justifiably replace all existing appliances that are more than five years old. One of the reasons for this is that older freezers used to contain CFCs or HCFCs, commonly known as greenhouse gases. These gases are very detrimental to the environment, which is why they were replaced by HFCs, or hydrofluorocarbons. Unfortunately, HFCs are still harmful – they have a potential to contribute to global warming 3200 times more than carbon dioxide. The good news is that a new type of hydrocarbon gas was championed by Greenpeace in the early 1990s, which is now the industry standard in freezer usage.

Freezer developments

It is hoped that, by 2010, 100% of freezers sold in the UK will possess an Energy Label rating that is equal to or better than the current A-rating. By 2015, projections have been made that 100% of freezers sold in the UK will have an energy rating that is equal to or better than the current ‘A+’ rating. This bodes well for consumers. Whether you’re planning to buy a stand-alone upright freezer or an integrated freezer for your kitchen, appliances with improved, energy efficient ratings are becoming more prevalent on the market all the time. A new type of technology has been appearing on the market in recent years, having been championed in the Far East. Vacuum Insulated Panels (or VIPs as they are known) use a new type of insulation that is twice as effective as that found in current freezers. Whether it becomes an industry standard remains to be seen, but if it does so then consumers will have the opportunity to reduce fuel bills by taking advantage of this new freezer technology. More developments have also been made to compressor technology in recent years. Compressors are the machine parts found within freezers that keep temperatures cold. These are the parts of the freezer that use electricity directly, and manufacturers have been doing what they can to improve the energy efficiency despite facing some inherent limitations with the product. Ideally, it is hoped that improved efficiency should match better product performance, leading to results for consumers by 2010.

The Energy Efficiency Commitment

Consumers are today far more knowledgeable about mankind’s effect on the planet and the things we can do to help reduce our impact on nature. This means that manufacturers have to keep one eye on global warming by introducing energy efficient measures into their products, and freezers are no exception. However, better technology in freezer products means that prices are also prone to increase, and householders can feel the strain. The good news is that our governments want us to buy eco-friendly products so that we can save money on bills, combat rising fuel prices and do our bit for the environment. To this end, the European Energy Efficiency Commitment has come into practice. The EEC is an agreement drawn up between energy suppliers, manufacturers and retailers to subsidise the purchase of those freezers that are more energy efficient. The Energy Efficiency Commitment currently works in relation to all A-rated freezer models on the UKEurope. Money is being put in to help reduce the shelf price of these models, which means they’ll be cheaper to buy than when compared with an older freezer with a B or C-class energy saving. The subsidies are there to encourage consumers to help reduce energy consumption on a national scale. So next time you want to buy an energy efficient, traditional or integrated freezer, you might just find that it isn’t as expensive as you think. market, as well as abroad in

Freezer energy saving tips

It’s easy to forget that the freezer sitting in your kitchen (especially if it’s an integrated freezer) is running 24/7 and using electricity all of the time. Because freezers are so energy intensive, it’s important that we follow tips and precautions to help us get the most out of these appliances. By allowing these energy saving tips to become second nature, we can all improve the energy efficiency of our freezers and reduce fuel bills one step at a time. Some tips are purely common sense and need no explanation. Keeping your freezer door shut and avoiding leaving it open for extended periods will stop your appliance having to work so hard to keep temperatures down. Defrost your freezer regularly to avoid wasting electricity through a build-up of ice on the elements. Alternatively, if you own a ‘frost free’ freezer, then make sure the drainage hole is kept clear or the defrosted water will just re-freeze there instead. Another tip is not to have your appliance colder than it needs to be. A French study carried out on freezers in 1998 revealed that energy consumption was 17.6% higher on average, purely because freezers were typically 3 degrees Celsius colder than the recommended freezing temperature. A final tip is to keep your freezer full – it costs less electricity to keep an item frozen than it does to circulate freezing air inside the appliance. It matters not whether you own an integrated freezer, a chest freezer or one of the traditional upright freezers – follow these tips towards energy efficiency and you’ll be guaranteed cheaper bills from your energy supplier.

What is a frost-free freezer?

Customers are today spoilt for choice in the UK freezer market, with freezers available for every taste. The integrated freezer, whose door is made to match existing kitchen designs, is popular for those with aesthetic tastes. But whether it’s an integrated freezer, an upright freezer or a chest freezer you’re looking to buy, it’s worth knowing about the differences inside the appliance as well as out. Frost free freezers, also known as auto defrost freezers, have been increasing in popularity in the last five years and incorporate a new type of mechanism to offer a frost-free alternative. The cooling element in this type of freezer heats regularly for a short amount of time, melting any ice which has collected. The water is subsequently drained off through a unit at the rear of the freezer. A frost free freezer also contains fans which circulate dry air. This type of appliance offers many positives to the householder in terms of upkeep. There’s no longer a need for manual defrosting, food packaging doesn’t become frosted, products don’t stick together as readily inside the freezer, and bad smells are eliminated. However, these benefits come at a cost, which is in this instance the product’s energy efficiency. Frost free freezers use more electricity than regular freezers because of the requirement to heat the elements at regular intervals. It’s worth bearing this in mind when choosing your freezer, to help choose more wisely whether it’s worth paying the price for the rewards listed above.

Vacuum Insulated Panels – the future of the freezer?

Exciting times lay in store for families using a freezer as part of their daily routine. Not only has the market increased for different types of freezers – chest freezers, the kitchen integrated freezer and the upright model – but manufacturers have been doing more to incorporate energy saving features within their products to enable owners to get cheaper bills. There’s currently one very big project looming on the horizon, with the introduction of a new type of technology called the Vacuum Insulated Panel. This panel – nicknamed the VIP for short – has the potential to drastically improve freezer insulation and increase energy efficiency as a result. VIPs are created from miniscule foam fragments which are packed into a sealed metal bag. Gas molecules are extracted from within the bag, leaving a vacuum inside, and the product can then be inserted within the walls of a freezer in various places to reduce energy consumption. The benefits of a VIP over conventional insulation methods is that it conducts 5 to 7 times less heat than existing technology, delivering twice the existing insulation of freezers. The VIP has already been successfully used in the medical industry for both freezers and shipping containers and trials continue in the Far East to examine potential issues surrounding fragility, lifespan and cost. If and when the technology is introduced into the household freezer market, we can expect it to help us cut down on energy costs and save money in the long run.