What is the best energy rating for a fridge freezer?

We are often asked what the best energy rating for a fridge freezer is. This is because the less energy your appliance uses, the cheaper it will be to run. With the current rising energy costs, anything you can do to reduce your household bills will be greatly appreciated.

When you’re looking for a new fridge freezer, you’ll notice that every model has an energy efficiency rating. In this article, we explain what that means, where you’ll find it and how you determine the best energy rating for a fridge freezer.

 

Understanding Energy Ratings infographic explaining how to read UK energy labels

How do energy ratings work?

All appliances sold in the UK have a rating based on how much energy they use. These are known as ‘energy labels’ and run on a scale of A to G. To determine this rating, all appliances will be tested to discover how much energy is consumed during typical use. On this scale, A is the most energy efficient and G is the least. The previous system had a scale running from A+++ to G but was simplified in 2021 when the new energy scale was introduced. This change came about due to the increasing numbers of appliances that are now meeting the highest standards.

Always bear in mind that the size of your fridge freezer will have an impact on its energy consumption. Two fridge freezers of different sizes but with the same energy rating will use varying amounts of electricity. As a rule, the smaller the fridge and the better its energy rating, the less energy it will use. A larger fridge with the same or lower energy rating as a smaller fridge is likely to be less energy efficient than the smaller one.

 

Saving money with an energy-efficient fridge freezer

In most homes, fridge freezers are always switched on. This means that they use up energy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. As one of the longest-lasting appliances in the home, most people live with their choice of fridge freezer for many years. This is why it is important that you understand what the best energy rating for a fridge freezer is before choosing one. Purchasing a fridge freezer with a better energy rating will save you money in the long run.

The differences in energy consumption between fridge freezers can be huge. With an average size fridge, choosing an A-rated appliance will typically save you about £800 over the average lifetime of the product compared to an F-rated appliance. The F rated appliance may be cheaper, but it is likely to cost a lot more in its lifetime.

In carbon terms, that’s 670kg CO2e. A more energy-efficient fridge is not only better for your finances, but it’s also better for the planet. You should be actively trying to reduce your carbon footprint. While there are many ways to reduce it, a great way to start is by choosing energy efficient appliances. As well as looking at the energy label of an appliance, you should look for the yearly energy consumption. This is shown as kWh/per annum. You can find it displayed beneath the rating scale on the energy label. The less kWh/per annum that a fridge freezer uses, the better. For both your bank account and the Earth.

What is the best energy rating for a fridge freezer?

Taking everything above into account, it should now be clear that the best energy rating for a fridge freezer is A. However, it’s important to bear in mind the size of the fridge freezer. A smaller fridge freezer with a B or C rating is likely to use less energy over time than a larger fridge freezer with an A rating. When you’re looking at the energy label of your freezer make sure you look at the yearly energy consumption figure too.

The good news is that appliance manufacturers are taking seriously their responsibilities when it comes to energy efficiency and carbon reduction, and there are now more appliances on the market with the highest rating.

It’s never been easier to find a highly energy efficient fridge freezer that meets your size and style requirements.

Young couple stood in a kitchen next to a fridge freezer

How can you reduce the energy consumption of your fridge freezer?

There are several steps you can take to help reduce energy consumption and maximise the efficiency of your fridge freezer.

  • Always leave enough space between foods that are stored in the fridge. This allows the cool air to circulate freely and evenly and will decrease your overall energy usage.
  • If you’re storing less food than usual, adjusting the temperature so it’s a couple of degrees higher will reduce your energy usage.
  • Activated eco mode to save energy when you’re going away, or during the winter when the air temperature is cooler.
  • If possible, you should also ensure that there is some space around your fridge freezer to allow for ventilation. A fridge freezer without proper ventilation uses more energy.
  • Never set your fridge temperature lower than is necessary.

Home Feeling makes it easy to find your perfect energy-efficient fridge freezer

If you’re looking for a new fridge freezer, then making sure it’s as energy efficient as possible is crucial. Home Feeling makes the process simple; all our appliances feature energy efficiency details so you can compare. Our expert team is on hand to answer any questions you may have.

We carefully select our quality products directly from the factory and pass the savings on to you, the customer.

It’s easy to order and we offer free delivery across the UK using our trusted and reliable couriers.