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Refrigerators are rated between A++ - D with A++ being the most energy efficient. The refrigerator will work best when it is sited away from cookers or boilers as these appliances emit heat which means that the refrigerator has to work harder to keep the internal temperature down. Make sure to limit the amount of times and how long the door is open as this will also make the appliance work harder to keep the temperature down. Energy rates explained Reliability of fridge ratings Where to place your fridge Fridge energy saving features Lifespan of fridges Energy use of small appliances Developments in the pipeline for fridges Types of fridge and their energy use Fridge energy saving tips Facts and figures about fridge energy rates Fridge freezer energy saving features Lifespan of fridge freezers Fridge freezer developments Consumer trends in fridge freezer buying Fridge freezer energy saving tips Fridge freezer 'tolerance' test issue Impact of A+ and A++ fridge freezers on the market
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 fridge ratings A few issues have been raised regarding the reliability of Energy Label ratings for fridges. One question concerns the issue of the laboratory tests on which these ratings are based, and how closely such tests relate to real-life fridge usage. The same issue applies regardless of whether you own a side-by-side American fridge, an integrated fridge or a traditional model. A major problem is that no cooling test is carried out to examine a fridge’s response when warm, room-temperature food is placed inside the appliance. One way that manufacturers increase the energy efficiency of fridges is to lengthen the cycle time for refrigeration. If a fridge also has no sensor installed to react to an increase in internal temperature, this could potentially mean that the time taken to cool newly-inserted food would be far longer than usual. This, in turn, might lead to food hygiene issues for the consumer, and these kinds of issues could thus come about as a sort of ‘collateral damage’ directly resulting from the drive to make fridges more energy efficient. Some products lie outside of the remit of energy ratings altogether. The small fridge, used for beer and wine cooling, is becoming increasingly popular in the UK market, but European directives do not yet cover these kinds of appliance – even though they frequently use refrigerated temperatures of 4 or 5 degrees Celsius. As there’s no reward in this market sector for more energy efficient products, many of them are inefficient; they currently exist in a kind of lawless ‘no man’s land’ of energy labelling. Where to place your fridge One way of helping to make your kitchen more energy efficient is to position your appliances correctly. Whether you’ve just purchased a new fridge, freezer or fridgefreezer, placing it in the correct way will help to reduce fuel bills and combat the rise in fuel prices. The key is to place your appliance in such a way to maximise energy efficiency by allowing it to work as easily as possible. Fridges, freezers and fridgefreezers work best when they’re placed as far away as possible from heat sources. These can include anything from direct sunlight to the heat emitted by cookers and radiators. Your fridge or freezer works with a delicate cooling system and placing it next to a source of heat will make it have to work harder and use more energy to keep the internal temperature down. It’s also a good idea to try to avoid placing fridges or fridgefreezers in rooms where the temperature goes below 5 degrees Celsius or above 4 degrees Celsius for lengthy intervals, as again this can affect performance. Where possible, it’s even better to keep cold appliances in a non-heated storeroom, such as a garage, where they don’t have to work against heating systems. A French study carried out in 1998 revealed an average energy saving of 36% for a fridge kept in such an area. Finally, always ensure that you leave sufficient room for ventilation both behind and on top of fridges and freezers. Use the spacers provided to keep it away from the wall and allow approximately four inches above the top of the appliance for it to ‘breathe’. It’s also a good idea to avoid placing other appliances or goods directly on top of the fridge. Fridge energy saving features Due to the near-constant increase in fuel prices, householders are increasingly looking for new ways to reduce fuel bills and improve their energy efficiency. One of the biggest users of electricity in the family home is the domestic cold appliance. Whether you own an upright fridge, an integrated fridge or even one of the new types of American fridge on the market, you’ve got an appliance which is switched on to the mains 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There’s clearly a strong potential for cheaper bills with this product. Thankfully, rival fridge manufacturers are competing with each other to improve the energy efficiency of their products and bring prices down at the same time. One way they do this is to incorporate various energy saving features within their products. Modern fridges on the market can potentially contain a whole range of features to help cut down on energy costs. Some models now contain compartments with variable temperature control within the main fridge compartment itself. This means that temperatures can be lowered or raised separately as required, so that the fridge doesn’t have to work as hard to keep the standard temperature as low. Other fridges further break down the interior of the product with a range of choices and settings. Some compartments can be turned off while the fridge stays on, the so-called ‘holiday’ setting. All of these features allow householders to reduce the energy usage of their products and save money in the process. Lifespan of fridges The market for fridges in the UK has changed drastically in the last decade with many new products and models appearing. Today, 43% of households in the UK own a stand-alone fridge, and consumers are spoilt for choice when buying. Traditional fridge models remain popular, along with the integrated fridge for that perfect-looking kitchen, although the new-style American fridge is up-and-coming. The assumed lifespan of the average fridge is just under thirteen years. However, in order to improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills for householders, industry representatives have suggested that the early replacement of old fridges is very much encouraged. For instance, a recent German study found that A+ rated fridges could justifiably replace all existing fridge units older than a decade on purely environmental grounds (relating to energy usage, and the impact of transport and recycling). A main reason to replace older models is that they contained CFCs and HCFCs, greenhouse gases which are very bad for the environment. Today, fridges on the market contain a different type of environmentally-friendly gas that has finally become an industry standard. So by replacing your older fridge with a modern, energy efficient one, you’re not only saving money on fuel prices but you’re also reducing your impact on our planet. With prices dropping and technology improving as we speak, there couldn’t be a better time to get rid of that ageing appliance in favour of a new one – whether you’re looking for an integrated fridge for your new kitchen, a new American fridge, or just a plain, normal model. Energy use of small appliances In the last few years, there has been an increasing trend for new types of fridge products. The small fridge and other associated miniature appliances, like wine coolers and drinks chillers, have found a growing market amongst households with disposable income. While they offer exciting new ways to refrigerate specific products, typically drinks, the energy efficiency of these fridges has been called into question. The problem with the small fridge and the non-traditional cold appliance is that it is not generally supplied with energy labelling, unlike the larger fridges. This is because manufacturers are adamant that such fridges fall outside of the remit of the Energy Label test standard definitions, in particular, a section defining fridges as containing one or more compartments for food storage. As manufacturers choose not to class drinks as food, such appliances are exempt from such regulations. With no Energy Label on the product, it can be hard for a buyer to understand whether what they’re buying is energy efficient or not. Government tests have revealed that small fridges and their ilk have a tendency to use more energy than their traditional, larger cousins. When tested against an A-rated larder fridge, most were found to have two to four times the energy consumption. The debate over whether such products should be energy labelled continues, and if such appliances do eventually fall under European directives, then the least energy efficient ones will be quickly removed from the market. Until then, consumers are advised to carefully check the energy consumption of small fridges, as lower consumption will help lead to cheaper bills. Developments in the pipeline for fridges As each year passes, all types of fridge are becoming more energy efficient. Whether you’re looking to purchase one of the many traditional fridges, an alternative American fridge or perhaps an integrated fridge to go with your new kitchen, it’s worth being aware of the various energy efficiency developments being planned. The voluntary European Committee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers (CECED) agreement aims to remove all C-rated (and below) fridges from the market by 2010, thus making the A-rated model the average. Similarly, by 2015 it is projected that all sales of fridges will be equal to or better than the current ‘A+’ rating fridge. Such agreements mark an upward trend to offer consumers more energy efficient products at better prices, so that in a few years from now, we’ll all be reaping the benefits of better-rated fridges by getting cheaper bills. Improvements are also being made to fridge technology all the time, and there are two big developments in the pipeline in this respect. The first is a revamp of current compressor technology to bring it in line with energy efficient standards. It is hoped that this will take place by 2010. The second improvement is the introduction of what are termed Vacuum Insulated Panels (VIPs) onto the market. These panels are part of a new way to refrigerate products and they have the potential to deliver twice the insulation of current fridges. While VIPs are still being tested for efficiency and environmental impact, it is thought they will become an industry standard in the future. Types of fridge and their energy usage Many different fridges are now available for purchase on the UK market, all with varying energy efficiency. Traditional models including the integrated fridge and the upright fridge are governed by self-explanatory Energy Label ratings, increasing in quality from A-rated appliances through to A+ and A++, with A++ being the very best in terms of energy efficiency. One type of fridge currently becoming more popular on the UK market is the American fridge, which offers side-by-side compartments rather than the traditional vertical arrangement. The American fridge accounts for around 10% to 15% of UK sales and the greater volume it offers means that it’s likely to become a more viable choice for householders in the future. It’s worth noting that an American fridge can use up to 68% more energy than a traditional model, however, the appliances still achieve an A rating for energy consumption which is worked out using a ratio allowing for the increased volume. The past decade has also seen the introduction of many new, small fridge products designed to cater for specific tastes within a household and these types of fridge are becoming ever more popular. Because the small fridge is not necessarily classed as a ‘fridge’ product, the Energy Labelling for these appliances is sketchy and care needs to be taken surrounding their energy ratings. Some of these fridges include: the mini drinks chiller (energy rating not declared), the small fridge type found in hotel rooms (these are labelled), mini chillers (some advertise as A+ energy rating, but investigation into this needs to be made), wine coolers (energy ratings are unknown) and beer keg coolers (these products are not covered and their energy consumption varies widely). Fridge energy saving tips
Householders can combat the trend in increasing fuel prices by using a variety of tips and methods to increase the energy efficiency of their fridges. One of the best ways to save money is to decide, before buying, what type of fridge you actually need. A common mistake is to purchase a fridge that ends up being too large for a householder’s requirements. Keeping a large fridge half empty costs more energy than a small fridge that’s fuller. Buying fridges is a complex issue in today’s world, as the choices are very varied. Some householders purchase an integrated fridge to fit in with the look of their kitchen, while others with enough horizontal room choose the new style American fridge. When buying, think very carefully about the fridge’s features. If you don’t require an ice box – if you own a separate freezer, for instance – then choose a fridge without one, as an unused ice box will increase running costs and make your appliance less energy efficient. Finally, there are the energy saving tips that all of us can use in relation to our fridges on a day to day basis. Following these will help us make daily savings and lead to cheaper bills. Remember not to overload your fridge, as this will stop it running correctly, and always keep the ventilation grills at the back free of dust by regularly vacuuming them. The final tip is purely common sense. Always keep a fridge door shut and, when you need to open it, keep it open for as short a time as possible. Facts and figures about fridge energy rates Fridges and other domestic cold appliances in the UK currently use an approximate 14.4 terawatt hours of electricity every year, but it is hoped that the figure will decrease to 12.9 terawatt hours per year by 2010 – all thanks to an increasing focus on improving the energy efficiency of fridges and other appliances. While the amount of households in the UK will continue to grow between now and 2020, it is thought that electricity consumption will decrease to 10.8 terawatt hours per year by that date, due to energy saving measures. Most fridge models currently purchased in the UK – a wide field incorporating large and small fridge models, the American fridge, the integrated fridge unit as well as traditional upright appliances – are A-rated for energy efficiency, although with prices falling, A+ and A++ rated models are becoming ever more popular. It’s important that we don’t immediately avoid buying these better-rated models due to purchase price alone, because they offer a huge opportunity for a householder to reduce fuel bills; the A++ rated fridge, for instance, uses 47% less energy than a comparative A-rated model. It’s definitely a case of ‘onwards and upwards’ in terms of energy saving for UK householders. We now use between 29% and 36% less energy to run our fridges and other cold appliances than we did in 1990, and the trend looks to continue. Although the purchasing of A+ and A++ fridges has been slower in the UK compared to other European countries, the good news is that we are getting there – and we’re beginning to save money and get cheaper bills in the process. Fridge freezer energy saving features The proliferation of new fridgefreezers on the UK market means that consumers now have a greater choice when choosing the right model for them. The American fridge freezer, with its compartments side-by-side rather than on top of each other, is now a common sight along with the typical integrated fridge freezer units. The global rise in fuel prices means that the energy efficiency of fridgefreezers is now an important factor in influencing a buyer’s decision. Manufacturers are now cottoning on to the need for householders to save money via energy output, which is why they’re introducing energy saving features into their products. Some new fridgefreezers contain a ‘sleep’ or ‘holiday’ setting which shuts off certain sections of the fridgefreezer while keeping others on. Meanwhile, some integrated fridge freezer models on the market allow users to control the temperature of different compartments. If a specific compartment doesn’t need to be as cold as the rest of the fridgefreezer then the temperature can be increased, reducing the appliance’s energy rates. Other fridgefreezers contain compartments that can be accessed by the householder without even opening the fridge door. A flap gives entry to these compartments, which means that less heat is introduced into the product than when the main door is opened. This allows the fridgefreezer to remain at a lower temperature and cuts down directly on energy usage as the appliance doesn’t have to work as hard to stay cool. Lifespan of fridge freezers 65% of households in the UK own a fridgefreezer today, with varieties of model on the market ranging from the kitchen integrated fridge freezer to the new-style side-by-side American fridge freezer. The average lifespan for all of these different models is 17.5 years. Industry representatives in the fridgefreezer market have recommended that householders replace their old appliances at their earliest convenience. One of the reasons for this is that older fridgefreezers are far less energy efficient than the current models on the market. For instance, in 1993 the average new fridgefreezer on the UK market consumed 634 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, while in 2004 the estimate had gone down to 401 kilowatt hours per year – a substantial increase in energy efficiency. Householders don’t typically wait for new technology to come out before buying a new appliance. They buy due to want or need, and reasons could include purchasing an integrated fridge freezer to fit with a new kitchen, an old fridgefreezer breaking down or even discarding a model when moving house. A German study has explored the topic and put forward the suggestion that, on environmental grounds, all existing fridgefreezers in households that are older than a decade could justifiably be replaced by new A+ rated models. Not only would this prove better for the environment, it would also help householders save money in the battle against rising fuel prices. It’s not simply a case of waiting for your fridgefreezer to get to the end of its life – buying a new energy efficient model can sometimes be the most cost-effective choice. Fridge freezer developments
Nowadays, customers have reason to be grateful when choosing a fridgefreezer for their kitchen. It matters not if they’re choosing an integrated fridge freezer or one of the newly popular American fridge freezers; all fridgefreezers across the board are subject to better, more efficient energy ratings to help to combat the increase in fuel prices. The good news is that these energy efficient trends are set to continue. A voluntary organisation known as CECED – which stands for the European Committee of Domestic Equipment Manufacturers – has plans to remove those fridgefreezers with poorer energy efficiency from the market altogether. Current goals include the removal of all C-rated models by 2010, while making the A-rated model the average at the same time. Yet the plans don’t stop there. There have been calls, made in December 2007, for a new revision of the current Energy Labelling for the fridgefreezer, to help bring it in line with modern-day standards and push manufacturers to use new technology, thus creating products with better energy ratings. Claims have been made by CECED that even current A-rated appliances should be removed from the market by 2013. These projections, combined with the introduction of some new, more efficient types of technology within the appliances themselves – including better compressors and VIPs (vacuum insulated panels) – mean that we have a lot to look forward to. More energy efficient fridgefreezers mean cheaper bills for consumers, so householders can actively save money by choosing the appliance that is right for both themselves and the environment. Consumer trends in fridge freezer buying Fridgefreezers are an essential kitchen appliance for householders, which is why sales have been booming in recent years. More home owners are now choosing to buy an integrated fridge freezer rather than a traditional one, because the integrated fridge freezer fits into surrounding units more readily. Frost free fridgefreezers account for around 50% of all sales, while the American fridge freezer model is growing in popularity, accounting for 10% of UK sales, and that figure is growing all the time. It’s worth noting that the American fridge freezer uses 68% more energy than traditional models but is still rated ‘A’ for energy efficiency; this is because the rating accounts for volume as well as electricity usage. Although the new fridgefreezer models with improved energy ratings have been slow to take off in the UK, their energy saving benefits are eye-opening. Comparisons have been made of the energy consumption between three free-standing traditional fridgefreezers: the A-rated model was found to consume 325 kilowatt hours of electricity per year, the A+ rated fridgefreezer 250 kilowatt hours per year, and the A++ rated appliance 175 kilowatt hours per year. In terms of energy saving, when compared to a standard A-rated appliance, an A+ rated fridgefreezer saves 75 kilowatt hours of electricity ever year, which works out at 8.3 kilograms of carbon. The saving for the householder works out at around £7.80 annually, which doesn’t seem a lot. However, with 1.5 million fridgefreezers sold in the UK in 2004, if everybody made the same saving then we’d be reducing our carbon impact on the environment by approximately 12 million kilograms per year. Fridge freezer energy saving tips If you’re looking for a way to reduce fuel bills, then why not start by following simple, everyday tips to ensure that your fridgefreezer is as energy efficient as possible? There are many ways in which a householder can ensure his or her appliances have optimum performance, and fridgefreezers are no different. Keeping your fridgefreezer clean is an important one – dusty ventilation grills mean that your appliance may be hotter than it should be, which in turn means that greater electricity is used up to keep it cool. Regular vacuuming is the answer. Keeping fridgefreezers full is another way of cutting down on costs. If you have an empty space inside your appliance with no groceries to fill it, then use other items as ‘spacers’ to fill up the volume. Plastic carrier bags can come in handy here, and it saves them sitting around the home until you recycle them on your next shopping trip. At the same time, remember not to overload the fridge compartment of your fridgefreezer or place groceries against the back wall – these things can affect optimum performance. Remember only to open your fridgefreezer’s door for short intervals to prevent too much heat ingress. It’s also a good idea to defrost the freezer compartment on regular occasions to prevent the build-up of ice, which can inhibit the effectiveness of a fridgefreezer. Whether you have an American fridge freezer sitting in your kitchen, or have hidden your appliance amongst your other units by purchasing an integrated fridge freezer, following these energy saving tips will improve your household’s energy efficiency and help save money. Fridge freezer ‘tolerance’ test issue Consumers are today spoilt for choice on the UK fridgefreezer market. There are literally hundreds of models to choose from, whether you’re looking to buy an integrated fridge freezer as part of your kitchen, a larger-volume American fridge freezer to store your many grocery products or whether you just want one of the traditional upright fridgefreezers. With the advent of European Energy Labelling, we’re also now able to make an informed choice based on a prospective purchase’s energy efficiency. But how reliable is that rating? One ‘grey’ area currently exists in relation to the test methodology surrounding the rating of fridgefreezer products, and it is known as the tolerance test issue. In a nutshell, all fridgefreezers currently being sold on the UK market comply with what is termed the ‘UK Statutory Instrument’ which tests and rates the energy efficiency of the appliance. However, a flaw in the test standard is the 15% tolerance, which means that an individual product can have 15% worse energy consumption than the standard for that rating. In other words, an A-rated product could actually be 15% less energy efficient that it seems to be at first glance. Whether the tolerance test issue is actually legal or not is another question. Manufacturers are understandably happy that the system stays as it is and heated discussions have arisen as a result between the various interested parties, including legislative bodies. What is certain is that the equivalent European Ecolabelling directive does not allow for any tolerance in its testing, 15% or otherwise. Consumers are advised to bear this issue in mind. Impact of ‘A+’ and ‘A++’ fridge freezers on the market The new, A+ and A++ energy rated fridgefreezers first came onto the UK market in July 2004, after regulations surrounding their energy efficiency were passed; A+ rated models offer 23% greater energy efficiency than A-rated models, while A++ rated fridgefreezers increase that efficiency to an extra 46%. However, initial fridgefreezer sales for these A+ and A++ rated appliances were disappointing. Until September 2005, these models never exceeded a paltry 3% of total fridgefreezer sales. One of the reasons for this was the difficulty of actually getting hold of one of these fridgefreezers with the new energy rating; only 7% of appliances available on the UK market in 2005 were A+ rated or better. In France, these energy efficient models accounted for a fifth of fridgefreezers available on the market. So far, the UK has been lagging behind other European countries in terms of A+ and A++ rated sales. Another factor working against these newly rated models is the Energy Efficiency Commitment, which subsidises sales of A-rated models, making the A+ and A++ rated fridgefreezer seem overly expensive in comparison to the A-rated appliance. The models have also still been surprisingly different to find in a market where A-rated fridgefreezers proliferate to the exclusion of other rated models. In the past couple of years, cheaper A+ rated fridgefreezers have started to become more available to purchase in the UK. If the price of these better-rated products continues to fall and become more affordable for the average householder, we’re all going to be able to save money in the long term by purchasing a more energy efficient fridgefreezer.
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