12 April 2011

UK electrical products to get energy rating label
This summer will see the launch of an energy efficiency rating system for electrical products in the UK.

According to environment minister Caroline Spelman UK consumers are less likely to buy energy efficient appliances than others in Europe.

So to tackle this Mrs Spelman plans to introduce The European Energy Label, to the UK which colour codes appliances to rate their energy efficiency.

As well as the band indication, the labels will also have figures such as the amount of energy that the product uses in kWh.

The labels run from A-G, with A being the best and displayed as dark green, and G the worst and rather obviously displaying in red.

As well as this the UK labels will also have A+ and A++ so products deserving it gain more credit.

Mrs Spelman says as products become more energy efficient, higher categories of A+++ may also be added to the rating scale.

She said: "Consumers want to make the right decisions when buying new goods that use less energy and bring down household bills.

"These new energy saving ratings will help people make the right choice when out shopping for TVs and white goods by choosing those which are rated the darkest green on the labels."

The rating system will be introduced from June 20 and will apply to goods like TVs, washing machines, dishwashers and fridge freezers.

However, more products are planned to carry the label in the future, including boilers and vacuum cleaners and energy saving ratings will also appears in adverts and not just at its point of sale, according to the Department for Environment and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

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