EU Directive 92/75/EC (1992) [1] established an energy consumption labelling scheme. The directive was implemented by several other directives [2] thus most white goods, light bulb packaging and cars must have an EU Energy Label clearly displayed when offered for sale or rent. The energy efficiency of the appliance is rated in terms of a set of energy efficiency classes from A to G on the label, A being the most energy efficient, G the least efficient. The labels also give other useful information to the customer as they choose between various models. The information should also be given in catalogues and included by internet retailers on their websites.
In an attempt to keep up with advances in energy efficiency, A+, A++, and A+++ grades were later introduced for various products; since 2010, a new type of label exists that makes use of pictograms rather than words, to allow manufacturers to use a single label for products sold in different countries.
Directive 92/75/EC was replaced by Directive 2010/30/EU, [3] and was again replaced by Regulation 2017/1369/EU from 1 August 2017. [4] [5] Updated labelling requirements entered into force in 2021, the exact date depends on the relevant delegated regulation [6] (e.g. dishwasher's labels change 1 March 2021). [7]
It reintroduced a simpler classification, using only the letters from A to G. The rescaling will also lead to better differentiation among products that, under the current label classification, all appear in the same top categories. It means, for example, that a fridge that currently has the A+++ label could become a C category, even though the fridge is just as energy efficient as before. The main principle is that the A category will be empty at first, and B and C categories scarcely populated, to pave way for new, more energy efficient products to be invented and developed. [8]
The energy labels are separated into at least four categories:
For refrigerating appliances, such as refrigerators, freezers, wine-storage appliances, and combined appliances, the labelling is specified in terms of an energy efficiency index EEI, which is an indication of the annual power consumption relative to a reference consumption that is based on the storage volume and the type of appliance (refrigerator or freezer). [9]
Refrigerating appliances, as EEI (post-2023) | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<10 | 10≤ EEI <20 | 20≤ EEI <35 | 35≤ EEI <50 | 50≤ EEI <65 | 65≤ EEI <80 | 80≤ EEI <100 |
The label also contains:
For cold appliances (and this product alone), for models that are more economical than those of category A, categories A+, A++, and A+++ were previously assigned. According to the 2010 regulations, the boundary between the A+ and A classes was 44 up to 1 July 2014, and 42 after that date.
Refrigerating appliances, as EEI (pre-2021) | |||||||||
A+++ | A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<22 | <33 | <42/44 | <55 | <75 | <95 | <110 | <125 | <150 | >150 |
Up to 2010, the energy efficiency scale for washing machines is calculated based on a cotton cycle at 60 °C (140 °F) with a maximum declared load. This load is typically 6 kg. The energy efficiency index is in kW·h per kilogram of washing, assuming a cold-water supply at 15 °C.
Washing machines (pre-2010), in kWh/kg | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<0.19 | <0.23 | <0.27 | <0.31 | <0.35 | <0.39 | >0.39 |
The energy label also contains information on:
The washing performance is measured according to European harmonised standard EN 60456 and is based on a 60 °C cycle on fabric samples with stains of oil, blood, chocolate, sebum, and red wine, using a standardised detergent and compared against a reference washing machine. [10] The amount of stain removal is then translated into a washing performance index.
Washing performance index | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
>1.03 | >1.00 | >0.97 | >0.94 | >0.91 | >0.88 | <0.88 |
The spin-drying efficiency class is based on the remaining moisture content (RMC), which is the mass of water divided by the dry mass of cotton fabrics. It is based on a weighted average of full-load and partial-load cycles.
Spin-drying efficiency class (as remaining moisture content) | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<45 | <54 | <63 | <72 | <81 | <90 | >90 |
A new energy label, introduced in 2010, is based on the energy efficiency index (EEI), and has energy classes in the range A+++ to D. [11] The EEI is a measure of the annual electricity consumption, and includes energy consumed during power-off and standby modes, and the energy consumed in 220 washing cycles. For the washing cycles, a weighted mix consisting of 42% full-load cycles at 60 °C, 29% partial-load cycles at 60 °C, and 29% partial-load cycles at 40 °C. The washing performance is not mentioned anymore, since all washing machines must reach class A anyway. For a 6-kg machine, an EEI of 100 is equivalent to 334 kWh per year, or 1.52 kWh per cycle.
Washing machines 2010 rating: energy efficiency index (EEI) | ||||||
A+++ | A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D |
<46 | 46-52 | 52-59 | 59-68 | 68-77 | 77-87 | >87 |
For tumble dryers the energy efficiency scale is calculated using the cotton drying cycle with a maximum declared load. The energy efficiency index is in kW·h per kilogram of load. Different scales apply for condenser and vented dryers.
Condenser dryers, in kWh/kg | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<0.55 | <0.64 | <0.73 | <0.82 | <0.91 | <1.00 | >1.00 |
Vented dryers, in kWh/kg | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<0.51 | <0.59 | <0.67 | <0.75 | <0.83 | <0.91 | >0.91 |
For condenser dryers, a weighted condensation efficiency class is calculated using the average condensation efficiency for the standard cotton cycle at both full and partial load.
Condensation efficiency class | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<90% | <80% | <70% | <60% | <50% | <40% | >40% |
The label also contains:
For combined washer dryers the energy efficiency scale is calculated using the cotton drying cycle with a maximum declared load. The energy efficiency index is in kW·h per kilogram of load. Different scales apply for condenser and vented dryers.
Combined washer dryers, in kWh/kg | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<0.68 | <0.81 | <0.93 | <1.05 | <1.17 | <1.29 | >1.29 |
The label also contains:
The energy efficiency of a dishwasher is calculated according to the number of place settings. For the most common size of appliance, the 12 place setting machine the following classes apply up to 2010.
Dishwashers (12 place settings, in kWh; pre-2010) | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<1.06 | <1.25 | <1.45 | <1.65 | <1.85 | <2.05 | >2.05 |
After 2010, a new system is used, based on an energy efficiency index (EEI), which is based on the annual power usage, based on stand-by power consumption and 280 cleaning cycles, relative to the standard power usage for that type of dishwasher. For a 12-place-setting dishwasher, an EEI of 100 corresponds to 462 kWh per year.
Dishwashers (as EEI; after 2010)[ quantify ] | ||||||
A+++ | A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D |
<50 | <56 | <63 | <71 | <80 | <90 | >90 |
The label also contains:
For ovens, the label also contains:
For air conditioners, the directive applies only to units under 12 kW. Every label contains the following information:
Labels for air conditioners with heating capability also contain:
Air conditioners, cooling SEER in W/W | |||||||||
A+++ | A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
>8.5 | >6.1 | >5.6 | >5.1 | >4.6 | >4.1 | >3.6 | >3.1 | >2.6 | <2.6 |
Air conditioners, heating SCOP in W/W | |||||||||
A+++ | A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
>5.1 | >4.6 | >4.0 | >3.4 | >3.1 | >2.8 | >2.5 | >2.2 | >1.9 | <1.9 |
Source: [12]
Every label of light sources, including light bulbs (halogen, compact fluorescent, etc.) or LED modules/lamps, contains the following information:
Where the energy efficiency category is given by this table: [13]
Light sources, in | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
≥210 | >185 | >160 | >135 | >110 | >85 | <85 |
Where, , is defined as the total mains efficacy, calculated as:
Where is the declared useful luminous flux (in lm), is the declared on-mode power consumption (in watts), and is a factor between 0.926 and 1.176 depending on the light source being or not directional and being or not powered from mains. [13]
Every label of light bulbs and tubes (including incandescent light bulbs, fluorescent lamps, LED lamps) contains the following information:
According to the light bulb's electrical consumption relative to a standard (GLS or incandescent), the lightbulb is in one of the following classes: [14]
Light bulbs; relative energy consumption | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<18–25% | <60% | <80% | <95% | <110% | <130% | >130% |
Class A is defined in a different way; hence, the variable percentage.
Since 2012 [15] A+ and A++ classes are added and are introduced different classes for directional lamps and non-directional lamps.
New Non-directional lamps EEI | ||||||
A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D | E |
<11% | <17% | <24% | <60% | <80% | <95% | >95% |
Directional lamps are defined as "having at least 80% light output within a solid angle of π sr (corresponding to a cone with angle of 120°)". [15]
New Directional lamps EEI | ||||||
A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D | E |
<13% | <18% | <40% | <95% | <120% | <175% | >175% |
These lamp classes correspond roughly to the following lamp types: [16]
Lamp technology | Energy class |
---|---|
Sodium-vapor lamps | A+++…A |
LED lamps | A++…A |
Compact fluorescent lamps with bare tubes | A |
Compact fluorescent lamps with bulb-shaped cover | A…B |
Halogen lamps with infrared coating | B |
Halogen lamps with xenon gas filling, 230 V | C |
Conventional halogen lamps at 12–24 V | C |
Conventional halogen lamps at 230 V | D…F |
Incandescent light bulbs | E…G |
Since September 2009, household light bulbs must be class A, with the exception of clear (transparent) lamps. For the latter category, lamps must be class C or better, with a transition period up to September 2012, and class B after September 2016. [16]
This section needs to be updated.(August 2017) |
Incandescent and fluorescent lamps with and without an integrated ballast can be divided into energy efficiency classes. The division of lamps into such classes was made in EU Directive 98/11/EC [14] on 27 January 1998, and includes lamps that are not marketed for use in the home. Light sources with an output of more than 6,500 lm and those that are not operated on line voltage are excluded. The energy efficiency class is determined as follows (Φ is the luminous flux in lm and P is the power consumption of the lamp in W):
Lamps are classified into class A if:
Fluorescent lamps without integrated ballast, are classified into class A if:
The classification in the energy efficiency class B-G is based on the percentage (Energy Efficiency Index) at the reference power
about the power consumption of a standard light bulb with the same luminous flux.
In 2010, an energy label for televisions was introduced. [17]
The energy class is based on the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI), which is the power consumption relative to a reference power consumption. The reference power consumption of a normal television with screen area A is
Where = 20 W for a television set with one tuner/receiver and no hard disc.
Since the switch to digital terrestrial transmissions all new televisions sold in Europe have both analogue and digital tuners so the reference power was increased to 24 watts as set out in the directive the formula is as follows
Adding of a hard drive(s), then the formula is as follows
For example, a television with a diagonal length of 82 cm has a screen area of A = 28.7 dm 2 and a reference power consumption of 144 W. The energy classes are as in the table below.
Televisions, as EEI(%) | |||||||||
A+++ | A++ | A+ | A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<10 | <16 | <23 | <30 | <42 | <60 | <80 | <90 | <100 | >100 |
The annual on-mode energy consumption E in kWh is calculated as E = 1460 [h/a] × P [W] / 1000, or simplified E = 1,460 × P. [17]
In televisions with automatic brightness control, the on-mode power consumption is reduced by 5 % if the following conditions are fulfilled when the television is placed on the market: (a) the luminance of the television in the home-mode or the on-mode condition as set by the supplier, is automatically reduced between an ambient light intensity of at least 20 lux and 0 lux; (b) the automatic brightness control is activated in the home-mode condition or the on-mode condition of the television as set by the supplier.
For vehicles possessing internal combustion engines, carbon dioxide emissions in grams per kilometre travelled are considered (instead of electrical efficiency).
Cars, CO2 emission in g/km | ||||||
A | B | C | D | E | F | G |
<100 | <120 | <140 | <160 | <200 | <250 | >250 |
Other information that is indexed for the energy label is:
European tyre labels came into force in November 2012. The tyre labelling will show three tyre performance attributes; rolling resistance, wet grip and external rolling noise. [18] The tyre label apply to:
with the exception of:
A trial of estimated financial energy cost of refrigerators alongside EU energy-efficiency class (EEEC) labels online found that the approach of labels involves a trade-off between financial considerations and higher cost requirements in effort or time for the product-selection from the many available options – which are often unlabelled and don't have any EEEC-requirement for being bought, used or sold within the EU. Moreover, in this one trial the labeling was ineffective in shifting purchases towards more sustainable options. [19] [20]
The candela is the unit of luminous intensity in the International System of Units (SI). It measures luminous power per unit solid angle emitted by a light source in a particular direction. Luminous intensity is analogous to radiant intensity, but instead of simply adding up the contributions of every wavelength of light in the source's spectrum, the contribution of each wavelength is weighted by the luminous efficiency function, the model of the sensitivity of the human eye to different wavelengths, standardized by the CIE and ISO. A common wax candle emits light with a luminous intensity of roughly one candela. If emission in some directions is blocked by an opaque barrier, the emission would still be approximately one candela in the directions that are not obscured.
In physics, the cross section is a measure of the probability that a specific process will take place when some kind of radiant excitation intersects a localized phenomenon. For example, the Rutherford cross-section is a measure of probability that an alpha particle will be deflected by a given angle during an interaction with an atomic nucleus. Cross section is typically denoted σ (sigma) and is expressed in units of area, more specifically in barns. In a way, it can be thought of as the size of the object that the excitation must hit in order for the process to occur, but more exactly, it is a parameter of a stochastic process.
An inclined plane, also known as a ramp, is a flat supporting surface tilted at an angle from the vertical direction, with one end higher than the other, used as an aid for raising or lowering a load. The inclined plane is one of the six classical simple machines defined by Renaissance scientists. Inclined planes are used to move heavy loads over vertical obstacles. Examples vary from a ramp used to load goods into a truck, to a person walking up a pedestrian ramp, to an automobile or railroad train climbing a grade.
In the field of antenna design the term radiation pattern refers to the directional (angular) dependence of the strength of the radio waves from the antenna or other source.
Radiometry is a set of techniques for measuring electromagnetic radiation, including visible light. Radiometric techniques in optics characterize the distribution of the radiation's power in space, as opposed to photometric techniques, which characterize the light's interaction with the human eye. The fundamental difference between radiometry and photometry is that radiometry gives the entire optical radiation spectrum, while photometry is limited to the visible spectrum. Radiometry is distinct from quantum techniques such as photon counting.
A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current (AC), which periodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which flows in only one direction. The reverse operation is performed by an inverter.
A luminous efficiency function or luminosity function represents the average spectral sensitivity of human visual perception of light. It is based on subjective judgements of which of a pair of different-colored lights is brighter, to describe relative sensitivity to light of different wavelengths. It is not an absolute reference to any particular individual, but is a standard observer representation of visual sensitivity of theoretical human eye. It is valuable as a baseline for experimental purposes, and in colorimetry. Different luminous efficiency functions apply under different lighting conditions, varying from photopic in brightly lit conditions through mesopic to scotopic under low lighting conditions. When not specified, the luminous efficiency function generally refers to the photopic luminous efficiency function.
In the calculus of variations, a field of mathematical analysis, the functional derivative relates a change in a functional to a change in a function on which the functional depends.
The efficiency of a system in electronics and electrical engineering is defined as useful power output divided by the total electrical power consumed, typically denoted by the Greek small letter eta.
Electrostatics is a branch of physics that studies slow-moving or stationary electric charges.
Energy conservation is the effort to reduce wasteful energy consumption by using fewer energy services. This can be done by using energy more effectively or changing one's behavior to use less service. Energy conservation can be achieved through efficient energy use, which has some advantages, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller carbon footprint, as well as cost, water, and energy savings.
Joule heating is the process by which the passage of an electric current through a conductor produces heat.
Luminous efficacy is a measure of how well a light source produces visible light. It is the ratio of luminous flux to power, measured in lumens per watt in the International System of Units (SI). Depending on context, the power can be either the radiant flux of the source's output, or it can be the total power consumed by the source. Which sense of the term is intended must usually be inferred from the context, and is sometimes unclear. The former sense is sometimes called luminous efficacy of radiation, and the latter luminous efficacy of a light source or overall luminous efficacy.
In radiometry, radiant flux or radiant power is the radiant energy emitted, reflected, transmitted, or received per unit time, and spectral flux or spectral power is the radiant flux per unit frequency or wavelength, depending on whether the spectrum is taken as a function of frequency or of wavelength. The SI unit of radiant flux is the watt (W), one joule per second, while that of spectral flux in frequency is the watt per hertz and that of spectral flux in wavelength is the watt per metre —commonly the watt per nanometre.
Energy conversion efficiency (η) is the ratio between the useful output of an energy conversion machine and the input, in energy terms. The input, as well as the useful output may be chemical, electric power, mechanical work, light (radiation), or heat. The resulting value, η (eta), ranges between 0 and 1.
Various governments have passed legislation to phase out manufacturing or importation of incandescent light bulbs for general lighting in favor of more energy-efficient alternatives. The regulations are generally based on efficiency, rather than use of incandescent technology. However, it is not unlawful to continue to buy or sell existing bulbs, which are unregulated.
In fluid dynamics, Luke's variational principle is a Lagrangian variational description of the motion of surface waves on a fluid with a free surface, under the action of gravity. This principle is named after J.C. Luke, who published it in 1967. This variational principle is for incompressible and inviscid potential flows, and is used to derive approximate wave models like the mild-slope equation, or using the averaged Lagrangian approach for wave propagation in inhomogeneous media.
The gyrator–capacitor model - sometimes also the capacitor-permeance model - is a lumped-element model for magnetic circuits, that can be used in place of the more common resistance–reluctance model. The model makes permeance elements analogous to electrical capacitance rather than electrical resistance. Windings are represented as gyrators, interfacing between the electrical circuit and the magnetic model.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is an agency of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Power, created in March 2002 under the provisions of the nation's 2001 Energy Conservation Act. The agency's function is to encourage the efficient use of energy in India by developing programs to support it. For example, the government proposed to make it mandatory for certain appliances in India to have ratings by the BEE from January 2010 onwards. The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to institutionalise energy efficiency services, enable delivery mechanisms in the country and provide leadership to energy efficiency in all sectors of the country. Its primary objective is to reduce energy intensity in the economy.
The Tyre Label is a mark for motor vehicle tyres. Manufacturers of tyres for cars, light and heavy trucks must specify fuel consumption, wet grip and noise classification of every tyre sold in EU market starting in November 2012.