In everyday life, even the smallest choices matter! The public’s growing awareness of climate change and its consequences can also translate into comfort in the use of electrical appliances. By choosing eco-friendly appliances with a high energy rating, you are not only protecting the environment, but also your finances. What do you need to consider in order to actually choose an energy-efficient, good-quality appliance? See what you need to know about energy classes!
What is energy class and how does it translate into everyday life?
Energy class classification is a system that ranks appliances according to their efficiency or, in other words, energy efficiency. In simple terms, energy class defines how much electricity a specific appliance consumes compared to other appliances of its type. The scale, introduced by the European Union, consists of letter designations from A to G, with A being the highest energy class (i.e. lowest power consumption) and G the lowest.
To make it easier for consumers to choose the most energy-efficient appliance, clear, informative energy labels have also been introduced. In addition to the letter denoting the class, you will also find specific information on the label about how much electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) the selected appliance consumes per year of operation or number of cycles. This will allow you to compare the values directly and clearly and to choose the appliance that is the cheapest to use.
Energy class and savings – how much will you save by choosing the most energy-efficient appliance?
There is no statement that explicitly indicates how much electricity a chosen appliance consumes – energy classes do not work that way. They provide a comparative measure of appliances of the same type. So you have to compare fridges with fridges, washing machines with washing machines, dishwashers with dishwashers and so on. Depending on the type of appliance, the savings will therefore be different, and the difference between A and B class appliances can be as much as a dozen or more zlotys. This is why it is so important to read the energy label carefully.
What do the differences in electricity consumption look like in reality? When looking at the energy information of selected electrical appliances, certain patterns become apparent:
- the least energy-consuming energy class is class A, but for many appliances (especially those permanently connected to the power supply, e.g. fridges) class B comes out almost as favourably. In this case, monthly savings are often only a few zlotys,
- the differences between class B and C are already slightly greater, but still not so great that you should make a purchase decision solely on the basis of energy class. Of course, if you plan to replace all the appliances in your home, the lower electricity consumption will already be visible. Nevertheless, it is worth considering purchasing appliances of energy class C – often referred to as the class with the best value for money,
- the largest and already noticeable drop in monthly electricity bills is seen in the case of class D and E appliances. Purchasing such appliances will already result in considerable costs. There are occasions when it is good to consider its purchase, but these are rather sporadic. Such appliances may work well if they are very seldom used and have functionality that you will not find in higher energy class models,
- g and F class appliances are the most energy-consuming, but these are also the least on the market. They also tend to affect older generation appliances or those with limited functionality, such as mini-machines or portable refrigerators.
As you can see, choosing the right, efficient appliance does not have to be limited to class A. You have a lot of options, and you don’t always have to be guided by just one parameter in order to be able to limit your energy consumption and still use your appliances without any problems.
What should you consider when buying a high energy class appliance?
One of the most important arguments for choosing high energy class appliances is the potential savings. However, it should be remembered that the most energy-efficient appliances are usually correspondingly more expensive – often several hundred or even more zlotys.
Although at first the investment in more expensive appliances may seem uneconomic, in the long run it brings tangible benefits. It is good to consider such a choice in the case of:
- appliances that consume electricity continuously and are not usually replaced after a few, but at least a dozen or so years (e.g. fridges – then the investment will not only pay off, but also bring savings);
- appliances that are used very frequently – if you use them daily or several times a day, choosing an appliance of the highest energy class will make financial sense.
Remember also that the higher energy classes are often produced by reputable companies that rely on innovative technology. By choosing such equipment, you can be sure that you are investing in a product that will serve you for many years. High quality and modern manufacturing technologies go hand in hand with better materials and workmanship, as well as greater functionality. This has a significant impact on the durability and reliability of the appliance. By saving on energy, you also save on the cost of repairing and replacing equipment and, in the case of dishwashers and washing machines, water and detergents too!
The ecological dimension of high energy class appliances – invest in your future and that of the environment
By choosing the most energy-efficient appliances, you indirectly contribute to reducing carbon dioxide emissions and limit the consumption of natural resources. So consider investing in appliances that are not only good for your wallet, but also for future generations!
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