Energy Efficiency Rating Guide

Information about the energy efficiency ratings used for homes and home appliances in the UK.

There are two energy efficiency ratings labels you’ll likely see in your daily routine. Those that look at the energy consumed by white goods such as fridges and freezers, while the other is for property, which is required when selling a home. We look at both here.

Energy Performance Certificates

When selling any home in the UK, it needs an energy performance certificate issued by a home energy assessor. In the past, this was part of an Energy Information Pack (HIP) that was already prepared in advance of any sale.

The certificate shows how the home is insulated and how efficient it is in using & saving energy. The assessor looks at current heating systems, the efficiency of insulation in windows, doors, and the loft.

An overall rating is then assigned. The assessor also provides a rating after introducing specific home improvements. The second rating is the most energy efficient the home can be. In theory, homes that are “A” rated have the lowest energy bills. The average home in England and Wales is in band D or E.

Together with this energy efficiency rating check, all homes also receive an environmental impact CO2 certificate. These certificates have the same bands, but show the CO2 emissions generated.

A qualified assessor determines the certificate values based on information collected during their visit to your home.

They’ll enter details about your home, such as the property age, the types of insulation, and the heating system, into a computer program called the Energy Performance Software. This programme calculates the current and projected values for both certificates.

You’ll also receive a report from the person assessing your property, which includes areas for improvement. The report details the likely cost, potential cost savings from these improvements, and the likely reduction in CO2 emissions as a direct result of making these changes..

Domestic Appliance Energy Rating Label Guide

These are more common and preceded the home certificates mentioned above. You will see these on the front of any electrical “white goods” appliances you see for sale in electrical stores.

Although most appliances, such as washing machines, dishwashers, and tumble dryers, are mainly rated A, some are less efficient. It’s good to see how much electricity the appliance uses (or how little it consumes) by glancing at the label on the appliance in the store.

This label is designed for all EU countries and must be shown by UK law, as it provides information for the entire machine cycle, including noise levels.

To calculate how much an appliance costs to run a cycle, multiply the time the appliance is in use by its kWh consumption number. Then take that result and multiply by your p/ kWh charge from your tariff.

Other energy efficiency labels in use

There are other labels for other energy saving items, such as windows, a Building Energy Rating (BER) for new houses built after 2007. Televisions from mid-2010 also have a new label, which is a first in the EU. Televisions that do not meet the new minimum requirements will have to be withdrawn from sale.

These are a summary of the energy efficiency rating labels in existence in the UK. It’s likely more will be introduced to help consumers save electricity and reduce CO2 emissions over time.