The European Union has introduced a new energy label where it can evaluate the effectiveness of the electronic appliance on a scale from A to G, through clearer information and in accordance with customer needs, in order to optimize the consumer experience.
The new European energy label, which went into effect in 2021, intends to make it easier for consumers to choose appliances. Due to the wide range of options on the market, which cause the consumer to have doubts when making a purchase, this task could prove to be difficult.
In order to enable consumers to instantly recognize which electronic gadgets are more efficient, the ones that consume the least amount of energy, the European Union amended and modified the existing energy label to one that is more intuitive and illuminating.
This new mark applies to four types of home appliances:
screens, such as TVs and monitors;
refrigeration appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage equipment;
washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers.
The latest version is now available in light sources like LED lamps. However, as this is permitted until the end of February 2023, it is possible that devices in this category will continue to display the outdated label.
The old energy label, however, still applies to more than ten categories of equipment, including heaters, air conditioners, hoods, and ovens.
What modifications have been made between the old and the new label?
The outdated scale deceives customers. Consumers may believe that equipment with an A+ grade is the most efficient while in fact there are higher degrees of efficiency (A++ and A+++).
The A+, A++, and A+++ designations were the most common for appliances, leaving the remaining categories unfilled (B, C, D, E, F and G).
Community legislation later came to an end with classes A+++, A++, and A+ of the labels of various appliances, which translates into labels that are simpler to comprehend and with clearer visuals. This new energy scale from A to G, where A is more efficient and G is less efficient. This makes it easier and more accurate for the user to evaluate items' energy classes and choose the most effective and cost-effective option.
It is typical for the consumer to have confusion while adjusting to the new labelling. Because of the new classification, an appliance that was previously covered by class A+ may now fall under class D.
The updated label contains a QR code that enables users to instantly visit the European Union's (EPREL) Database and get all the details about the product they are assessing. Alternatively the consumer can download the application, which is available on the novaetiquetaenergetica.pt website.
Consumers gain from this new policy since it enables them to select equipment with truly outstanding energy performance, reducing their electricity costs. Always keep in mind that the gain is in the saving.