Current energy label

The current energy label has existed in its present form since 2012 and provides information on the efficiency class of electrical appliances and other information such as energy and water consumption. The current energy label classifies all electrical appliances in classes D to A+++, with the majority of new electrical appliances being in classes A+ to A+++. This gives the impression that all appliances are energy-efficient and sustainable, though this is not necessarily the case. In addition to the efficiency classes, the label contains pictograms with further information about the appliance, such as energy and water consumption, noise emission values or maximum load. For washing machines and dishwashers, water and energy consumption is currently expressed in annual values.

Washing machines

The energy label for washing machines contains the three classes A+, A++ and A+++. The scale for washing machines is graduated so that the gap between two adjacent classes is 11–14%. The annual energy and water consumption indicated with this energy label refers to 220 standard washing cycles per year.

Legend:

1. Energy efficiency class

2. Energy consumption in kWh/year (220 standard washing cycles/year)

3. Noise emissions during the washing and spinning phases (in the standard 60° cotton programme at full load), expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW

4. Spinning efficiency class

5. Maximum load

6. Water consumption in litres/year (220 standard washing cycles/year)

Dishwashers

The three classes A+, A++ and A+++ have until now also been indicated on the energy label for dishwashers. Dishwashers in efficiency class A+++ are up to 30% more energy-efficient than class A appliances, and class A++ products consume up to 21% less energy than class A appliances. The annual energy and water consumption refers to 280 standard cleaning cycles per year.

Legend:

1. Energy efficiency class

2. Energy consumption in kWh/year (280 standard cleaning cycles/year)

3. Noise emissions, expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW

4. Number of standard place settings

5. Drying efficiency class

6. Water consumption in litres/year (280 standard cleaning cycles/year)