EU energy labels are designed to advise the consumer about a product’s energy performance, showing the total energy consumption along with additional information relevant to that product – such as the volume of storage compartments for refrigerators, noise levels for dishwashers or annual water consumption of washing machines.

A study undertaken by the Come On Labels project in 13 European countries, supported by the European Commission’s Intelligent Energy Europe programme, has assessed whether the EU energy label is effective in helping consumers to make a well-informed decision when purchasing household appliances and TVs.

For this study, spot checks were undertaken in 20 white good shops in Malta between January and February 2013, covering 1,711 products falling under the European Energy Label legislation.

Of these 1,711 products, only 36 per cent were labelled correctly, eight per cent were labelled incorrectly and 56 per cent did not have an energy label at all.

The study revealed that a considerable effort needs to be undertaken by both suppliers and retailers in Malta in order to increase national compliance levels regarding energy labelling.

To this end, Projects in Motion, as the national Come On Labels partner, in collaboration with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA), organised an awareness-raising workshop for retailers and supplier, and conducted individual training sessions with sales staff to increase awareness for the correct application of energy labels on household appliances.

A recent study by the National Statistics Office also revealed that white goods are responsible for a large share of the final energy consumption in Maltese households.

Consequently, buying energy-efficient appliances can save the consumer money in the long run, in many cases even if the initial purchase price of the appliance is higher compared to a less efficient product.

Today, an A+++ class fridge-freezer is about 60 per cent more efficient than an A class model. An A++ class model still uses about 40 per cent less energy.

Consumers should also be aware that although energy labels typically have a classification from A to G, or A+++ to D, depending on the type of appliance, not all classes can be found on our market any longer.

54%

of white goods did not have an energy label at all

In fact, energy efficiency class A has long been understood to be the best performing class. However, fast market developments, the introduction of A+ to A+++ classes and EU eco-design legislation, which sets minimum market entry requirements for energy-using products, have led to a situation whereby class A for a number of appliances is the lowest class available on the market.

The full country analysis as well as information regarding product tests, successful replacement schemes, retailer trainings and other examples of promotion activities can be found on the project website http://come-on-labels.eu/displaying-energy-labels/status-of-appliance-labelling .

For more information, visit www.com-on-labels.eu or e-mail info@pim.com.mt.

Using appliances energy-efficiently

Refrigerator

• When buying a new refrigerator or combination, keep in mind that the lowest energy class for this appliance type available on the market as of November 2011 is A. Always opt for a higher efficiency class such as A++ or A+++.

• Don’t set your fridge or freezer too cold. This will create excessive moisture and ice build-up.

• Regularly defrost freezers.

• Make sure doors seals are airtight.

• Cover liquids and wrap foods stored in the fridge. Uncovered foods release moisture and make the compressor work harder.

• Each time you open the door on the refrigerator, up to 30 per cent of the cooled air can escape.

Dishwasher

• Air-dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s drying cycle.

• Be sure your dishwasher is full, but not overloaded, when you run it. A full load is more energy efficient than two half loads.

Washing machine

• Don’t over-spin clothes. Our favourable climate allows air drying in the sunshine so, if possible, use a low-spin-speed setting.

• Wash your clothes in cold water using cold-water detergents.

• Fill the machine to its capacity. A load of washing is more energy efficient than two half loads.