In the European Union, it was decided that the operating instructions for household appliances, cars and buildings should contain information that allows the buyer to determine the energy efficiency classes of these objects. This contributes to a clear understanding of what basic consumer properties they possess. Therefore, when buying a person has the opportunity to compare different models among themselves and choose the most suitable. Energy efficiency classes are indicated in Latin capital letters from A to G. Accordingly, class A will consume the least amount of energy, and G. will consume the most.
Definition
Although a common scale has been created to indicate energy costs, each of the objects (buildings, household appliances, cars) has its own characteristics and general criteria. For example, a refrigerator that has class A ++ will consume about 27 watts per hour, and a washing machine with the same class will wind 860 watts in the same time. This confirms that in the question of how to determine the energy efficiency class, it must be taken into account that different categories have their own standards. The same applies to houses and cars, because they relate to completely different objects.
Refrigerator energy efficiency
An attribute of any modern kitchen is the refrigerator. Quite often, choosing this device, the future owner does not think about how economical it is in terms of electricity consumption. And in our time it is very important. The energy efficiency class of the refrigerator is determined by the generally accepted scale described above. By the way, speaking about this, it is worth mentioning that since 2003 two more classes were added - A + and A ++, the latter is considered the most economical.
The calculations that are carried out before assigning a product an evaluation are quite complicated. Here the temperature in different chambers, their volume, and the presence of any innovations are taken into account. It is easy to guess that the larger the refrigerator, the more it will spend electricity, but this does not mean that it will have a low class. Indeed, in its "weight" category, it can be economical. This is easy to figure out, because a product often has a sticker on it that carries this information. In addition, they indicate the name of the model, the volume of each chamber, temperature conditions, energy consumption per year and, if the manufacturer so desires, the noise level. Of course, this is all present in the instruction manual.
Energy Saving Tips
In order to save money, it’s enough to follow a few rules that will not only extend the life of the refrigerator, but also make you forget about energy efficiency classes even for a short while. Here are the main ones:
- What was said in childhood - you can’t put hot in the refrigerator. The temperature of the dish should be room temperature, since the energy consumption that is required to cool the boiling water is quite substantial.
- Do not open the door unless necessary. After all, if you open the refrigerator for a long time, it will be filled with warm air, which needs cooling.
- The refrigerator should be away from objects that often heat up (radiators, stoves, stoves). After all, heat will also be transferred to this device, which will lead to unnecessary costs for cooling the case.
- The temperature of the freezer should not be at a maximum if the products present in it are not intended for storage for a very long period. Each degree will save about 5% of the consumed electricity.
Energy efficiency washing machine
Most often, when choosing a washing machine, consumers pay attention to its design and spaciousness, completely forgetting about energy efficiency classes. Other important indicators are the washing and spin classes, which are evaluated on the same scale. Back in 1992, the European Union determined the norms of electricity consumption by this device per 1 kg of linen. Therefore, on all products of this line there are stickers that clearly indicate to the buyer the economy of this model.
If this is class A +, then the washing machine should not spend more than 0.17 kW per hour per 1 kg of clothing. The lowest rating is for appliances that “pull” more than 0.39 kW per hour per 1 kg of washing. This indicator is determined on the basis of the cotton wash cycle at a temperature of 60 degrees.
Saving is easy
As in the case with the refrigerator, the washing machine spends a lot of electricity, so you need to know how to save on this appliance. The first thing to understand: large size is not always good. When buying such a device, you should pay attention not only to the energy efficiency class of equipment, but also to the volume of the drum. If the family consists of two or three people, then she will not need a car with a maximum load of more than 3 kg, if out of four or six - no more than 5 kg of load, more than seven people - 6-7 kg of load will do. This will help to avoid unnecessary costs.
The second rule - you need to load the drum completely, and not wash one thing at a time. The third tip is to choose a program that is not very long, but the result is good. This also includes the temperature regime, because it is the water that consumes the greatest amount of electricity. Therefore, do not constantly turn on 90 degrees, since the powder completely dissolves already at 40.
Energy Efficiency Dishwasher
Another popular appliance that makes life easier for every housewife is a dishwasher. It saves at least 7800 liters of water per year, as it uses the same water several times. As with any other technology, there is a sticker on it that shows the energy efficiency class. You can study it at home or in a store. Such a label will tell about how economical this device is, what model it is, how many dishes you can load here, and how much water will be consumed.
The class of energy costs is calculated based on how much electrics are required to clean one set of dishes. In addition, often this technique works quite quietly, which allows it to be used even at night.
Little secrets
As in previous cases, there are secrets to using a dishwasher that will reduce the payment of bills. For example, you should load this device whenever possible so that there is no free space at all. But if there are few dishes, it is better to use the half load mode, if any. He will save both water and electrics. Also, the dishes should be cleaned of large food debris or other contaminants, and only then thrust into the machine.
Energy Efficiency Air Conditioners
When there is unbearable heat on the street, you really want to hide somewhere in a cool place. This person helps air conditioning. In summer, it cools the air, and in winter, on the contrary, it heats. But do not forget that the energy efficiency class of air conditioners is just as important as their magical ability to save a person from overheating or freezing. The EU Directive clearly states what the label should be for these devices. Various classes have been created for their categories, which are defined:
- a variety of operating modes (only cooling or heating);
- what type of cooling is installed (water or air);
- configuration.
Each of these indicators affects the class. For example, heating mode significantly increases electricity consumption.
Computer technology
The main achievement of the 21st century is the very rapid development of IT-technologies. Each family has long acquired a computer or laptop and uses it daily. Therefore, it is worth considering how economical this technique is and how it affects the monthly budget. The energy efficiency class of a computer has not yet been regulated anywhere, but everyone knows that the newer the equipment, the less expensive it is. After all, each component of the processor consumes a certain amount of energy, which entails certain costs. Also, the energy efficiency class of a computer depends on whether it is stationary, or is it a small portable laptop.
In the first case, studies have shown that an office PC spends on average no more than 100 watts per hour, home - up to 200 watts per hour, gaming - 300-600 watts per hour. These numbers may vary depending on how heavily loaded this unit is. But it is safe to say that office equipment is the most economical. Energy efficiency class may vary on laptops. It depends on the age and load of the system itself, but the average value is 50 watts per hour. Therefore, from the point of view of economy, the latter option is more profitable. Moreover, it is practical and takes up much less space.
To reduce the amount of energy consumed, you need to play less "heavy" games with high-quality special effects, not turn on a bunch of unnecessary programs at the same time, not increase the screen brightness to the extreme point, but simply reduce it to a comfortable level.
a printer
Another device that firmly entered our home with a computer is a printer. It is very convenient, since many students and working people constantly have to print something. Everywhere there were a lot of shops in which this is done for a fee. But this is not always convenient, because early in the morning or late in the evening they do not work, and printing at home is much cheaper. When choosing this device they are guided by its multifunctionality (printer, scanner, color and black-and-white printing). The printer's energy efficiency class is rarely considered, which is not the right one. Although it is not regulated anywhere, like other computer equipment, it is nevertheless worth paying attention to, so that later there are no unpleasant surprises.
It is impossible to give an exact answer to the question how much electricity the printer consumes per hour, because each model will be different from the others. You can find out the necessary information from a special sticker or instruction manual. But there are average cost data that make up for a laser printer - 2-3 kW per hour, for an inkjet printer - up to 150 W, but these figures are very approximate. To save on this device, you need to disconnect it from the network, if the printer is not needed right now, since even in standby mode it can wind a considerable amount of electricity, it is better to turn it off.
Lamps
The thing that no civilized home can do without is an incandescent light bulb. It would seem that could be easier. But here there are energy efficiency classes of lamps, which should be indicated on the package. Usual for us is the power of 75 and 100 watts, but it is considered very expensive. Instead of such devices, it is better to purchase lamps whose class will be the highest. They have the same level of brightness, the light flux is no worse, and they serve much longer. Their high cost fully pays off and even provides savings, which is important.
