The Truth About...Energy Labelling

Investing in commercial appliances is expensive, so you want the most efficient and cost-effective equipment. That's where energy labels come in - they can provide valuable insight into how much electricity an appliance uses and aid in your decision-making.

EPREL (European Product Database for Energy Labelling) regulate energy labels and indicate a product's energy efficiency based on its performance, size and features. By searching for equipment on EPREL, you can easily find their energy ratings to decide which appliance is right for your business.

When it comes to commercial equipment, energy labelling works differently than it does for domestic appliances. Commercial refrigeration is tested under different conditions to those experienced in home environments, such as wider ambient temperature variations and air circulation. This means the results will often differ whether tested for a commercial or domestic  setting. It's important to remember this when looking at labels - what might be efficient for a consumer will not work for a business.

Commercial energy labels are assessed under different conditions than domestic labels. For instance, commercial refrigeration is opened more frequently, so systems must work harder to maintain the correct temperature. 

Additionally, ambient temperatures are usually higher in commercial settings such as catering kitchens and shops. Domestic label testing also follows a slightly different rating structure, making comparing difficult.

Energy labelling can provide valuable insight into how efficient equipment is compared to other models. When choosing commercial refrigeration, it's essential to consider the conditions in which it will be used - such as temperature and humidity - and how that might affect the overall efficiency.

Energy labels provide businesses with an easy way to compare different models and determine which refrigeration units are the most efficient for their specific environment. By considering a product's energy rating before investing, you can ensure that you make the best decision for your business regarding efficiency and, in turn, cost-effectiveness.

Since 2016, energy labels have been mandatory on commercial refrigeration with a solid door or lid. Since 2021 they've also been required on display refrigeration with glass doors and merchandisers (grab-and-go multidecks).

In 2016 the ratings were A+++ to G for all commercial rerigeration, but in 2021, the range changed to an A to G scale for fridges, freezers, beverage coolers and ice cream freezers with a direct sales function, with A being the most efficient. Professional refrigerated storage cabinets still adopt the original A+++ to G ratings, however this may transition in the coming years. Parameters have changed and tightened, so all new equipment must meet efficiency test conditions to earn a rating. Equipment can only be sold commercially if it meets these criteria. Selling appliances and equipment without adequate labelling is illegal.

Most tests, although not all, are carried out by the manufacturers in strictly controlled conditions. The tests typically involve a stable environment without the variables of a real-life working scenario, such as with heating or air conditioners switched on or doors frequently opened and closed, causing fluctuations in conditions.

Equipment will often be tested to different criteria depending on the use or category it is classed as. For example, although both pieces of equipment have glass doors for display, display fridges for packaged food and drink (or Refrigeration with a Direct Sales Function) will have different testing criteria and ratings to those intended for drinks and beverages, such as bottle coolers for example, when tested in a controlled environment. This will lead to a different rating for different intended uses. This also means that equipment that would achieve a certain rating in one category may achieve a different one if tested in a different category. 

Energy labels provide businesses with an easy way to compare different models with the same purpose and determine which refrigeration units are the most efficient for their specific environment. By considering a product's energy rating before investing, you can ensure that you make the best decision for your business regarding efficiency and, in turn, cost-effectiveness.

Q - What Requires An Energy Label?

A - All commercial refrigeration with solid doors or lids and display refrigeration with glass doors and merchandisers must have an energy label to be sold commercially. Energy labels provide businesses with important information about the efficiency of different models, helping them make informed decisions when investing in new equipment.

Q - How Do You Read An Energy Label UK?

A - The energy label is usually located on the front of commercial equipment and will be marked with classes from A to G, with A being the most efficient. Additionally, there may also be a numeric rating displayed in kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/year), which indicates its energy consumption. On websites, the energy label for each specific product should also be visible.

Q - What Is The New Energy Label Classification?

A - Since 2021, all commercial refrigeration with a solid door or lid and display refrigeration with glass doors and merchandisers must meet new energy labelling criteria ranging from A to G, with A being the most efficient. Parameters have changed and tightened, so all new equipment must meet efficiency test conditions to earn a rating.

Q - Why Have Fridge Energy Ratings Changed?

A - The regulations around energy labelling have tightened, and parameters have changed to ensure that businesses can make informed decisions when investing in new commercial equipment. The latest rating simplifies the scale for users but also makes achieving the top rating more complex, so manufacturers must work harder to provide the top energy rating.

Q - What Is The Most Efficient Energy Label?

A - A is the most efficient energy label, followed by B and C. When considering a product's energy rating before investment, you can ensure that you make the best decision for your business regarding efficiency and cost-effectiveness.