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Household appliance Energy class
From the new European label to actual consumption: how to find your way when purchasing and reduce your bill.
The Energy class of household appliances indicates how much an appliance consumes compared to others in the same category. Choosing a more efficient product means reducing Energy consumption and, over time, lowering your bill.
In recent years, the European Union has progressively renewed the labelling system for all the main product categories: understanding how it works today helps you make more informed choices, both at the time of purchase and in the daily management of your home.
What is the Energy class and what is it used for?
The Energy class is a standardized indicator that measures the efficiency of a household appliance through a letter scale, from A to G, associated with a colour scale ranging from green to red. The letter A identifies the most efficient products; G identifies those with the highest consumption.
The obligation for Energy labelling for household appliances in Italy and in the European Union has been in force since 1998 and applies to almost all household appliances: refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers, air conditioners, electronic displays, lamps, ovens and kitchen hoods.
The label does not only indicate the class: it also shows Energy consumption, expressed in annual kWh or per 100 cycles depending on the category, the noise level, capacity and a QR code that links to the complete technical sheet of the product in the European EPREL database.
The new European Energy label and “rescaling”
Starting from EU Regulation 2017/1369, Europe launched a gradual transition to eliminate the old intermediate classes A+, A++ and A+++, which over the years had become the norm, emptying the distinction between products of practical meaning.
With this reform, appliances are recalibrated on the A-G scale. This means that an old model previously classified as A+++ could now be in class C or D: its performance has not worsened, the measurement scale has simply changed and become stricter.
The units of measurement have also become more specific to make comparison easier:
washing machines and dishwashers: consumption per 100 cycles in kWh;
refrigerators and freezers: annual consumption in kWh;
screens, TVs and lamps: consumption every 1,000 hours of operation.
The transition to the new A–G scale took place in stages, starting from 1 March 2021 for refrigerators, washing machines and dishwashers, and progressively for the other categories such as ovens, hoods and air conditioning systems, definitively eliminating the old symbols with “+”.
To facilitate this transition and make comparison between products easier, the European Commission promoted initiatives such as the BELT project (Boost Energy Label Take-up), which includes online tools and calculators to estimate savings in kWh, euros and CO2 based on the class chosen.
Energy classes appliance by appliance
Consumption varies significantly from one appliance to another. Comparing data within the same category helps you understand where efficiency has a more direct impact on expenses.
Refrigerators and freezers
For a freestanding fridge-freezer with automatic defrosting of around 300 litres, 200 for fresh food and 100 for frozen food, the difference between class A and class G is clear: a latest-generation class A model consumes on average around 100 kWh/year, while a class G model can exceed 303 kWh/year. Over ten years, the gap translates into hundreds of euros of difference on the bill.
Washing machines and dishwashers
For washing machines, the reference consumption is calculated over 100 cycles in the Eco 40–60 programme. A class A washing machine consumes up to 52 kWh every 100 cycles, while a class G model can reach over 88 kWh. For dishwashers with 12–14 place settings, excellent values for class A models are around 54 kWh per 100 cycles, while a class G model exceeds 65–75 kWh.
Ovens
The classification has also been made stricter for domestic ovens. As an indication, a high-efficiency electric oven consumes around 0.50 kWh per cycle in fan-assisted mode, while a low-efficiency model can exceed 1.50 kWh per cycle. Actual values vary depending on the model and methods of use.
Air conditioners: SEER and SCOP indices
Air conditioners follow specific parameters linked to seasonality and perform two distinct functions: cooling in summer and heating in winter. Two fundamental indicators appear on the label:
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio): measures seasonal efficiency in cooling;
SCOP (Seasonal Coefficient of Performance): measures seasonal efficiency in heating.
When assessing performance, the Energy class of air conditioners can be very high for cooling and slightly different for heating. It is useful to consider both values based on the main use in the home.
How much do you save by choosing a high class?
Translating the Energy class into concrete savings requires multiplying the kWh consumed by the cost of electricity. Assuming a prudent national average rate of around €0.25/kWh, including taxes and charges, the comparison between a class A refrigerator, 100 kWh/year, and a class G one, 303 kWh/year, shows a net saving of around €50 per year, constant throughout the appliance’s lifespan.
The saving becomes more relevant when considering all the household appliances in the home. Replacing the refrigerator, washing machine and dishwasher at the same time by choosing the most efficient models on the market reduces the home’s overall Energy footprint from the first month.
For those evaluating replacement or a new purchase, the Enel household appliances section offers a selection of high Energy efficiency products, with complete technical sheets to compare consumption and performance.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Energy class shown on the label apply under any conditions of use?
No. The values shown on the label are measured under standard laboratory conditions, established by European legislation to guarantee a fair comparison. Actual consumption may vary depending on factors such as room temperature, frequency of use, load quantity and the programmes chosen. The label is used to compare products in a homogeneous way, not to predict monthly expenses down to the cent.
Does a used household appliance maintain its Energy class over time?
Generally yes, but Energy performance may deteriorate if the product is not maintained correctly. A refrigerator with worn seals or a rear coil covered in dust, for example, struggles to exchange heat and consumes more than the nameplate data. Regular maintenance preserves the original efficiency.
Are there incentives in Italy for purchasing high Energy class household appliances?
Yes. The Italian State provides tax relief, such as the Furniture and Household Appliances Bonus, linked to building renovation or extraordinary maintenance interventions on the property. To access it, the law requires the purchase of appliances with a high Energy class, generally not lower than class A for ovens, class E for washing machines and dishwashers, and class F for refrigerators.
Since deductible spending ceilings and regulations vary periodically, it is essential to check the updated requirements on the ENEA website before purchase.
What does “eco programme” mean on the label of washing machines and dishwashers?
The Eco 40–60 programme for washing machines is the standardized cycle used to calculate the consumption declared on the label. It washes at optimized temperatures and extends cycle times to reduce water consumption and the Energy needed to heat it. The figure expressed in kWh/100 cycles refers exclusively to this mode, which is not necessarily the most representative of actual daily use.
When is it really worth replacing a household appliance that still works?
It depends on the age of the appliance and the generational leap in efficiency. As a general rule, a large household appliance more than 10–12 years old has structurally higher consumption than current standards. Calculating the difference in annual kWh between the old model and the new one, multiplying it by the cost of your electricity rate and comparing it with the purchase price allows you to accurately estimate the payback time of the investment.
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