Product ratings on efficiency

The UK Coalition Government has just launched a campaign to persuade the country’s consumers to buy energy efficient appliances that will save them money and the environment.

This summer, new energy efficiency labels for appliances like TVs, washing machines, dishwashers and fridge-freezers will be introduced across Europe, but UK consumers are the less likely to buy energy efficient appliances than their European neighbours.

The new mandatory European Energy Label features rainbow-coloured bars indicating the energy rating of a product, but those ratings will now include A+ and A++ for appliances that have improved their efficiency over and above the highest A rating level.

As manufacturers further improve the performance of appliances, additional A+++ categories of energy efficiency may also be introduced.

“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,” said Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman, launching the campaign.

Energy labels started appearing on appliances in the mid-1990s and are now being applied to a wider number of products, including boilers and vacuum cleaners.
The European rules covering energy labelling now require that the actual amount of energy that a product uses are included in the information, with the energy performance rating shown in adverts as well as at the point of sale.

Of course, will it help unless the consumers are educated on the need to buy these appliances? What kind of incentives will attract a consumer to buy a certain product are many. Immediate savings play a bigger role often than long-term savings. At least that has been the case in India where most of these products fall in the upper cost bracket. Share your views. Would you buy an energy saving product?