In 2021, a new energy label for dishwashers was created. Displayed in all physical outlets and online, this label presents energy classes on a scale from A to G. Deemed less and less effective and less and less readable, the old rating from A+++ to D has been removed. In fact, the energy performance of the devices has greatly improved in a short time. Quite quickly, class «A» was overtaken by more economical devices. Hence the birth of A+, A++ or A+++. But it quickly leads to confusion! Back to a classification from A to G. Here’s what you need to know to understand the energy class of a dishwasher.
WHAT IS THE ENERGY LABEL OF A DISHWASHER?
The energy label of a dishwasher is a guide that indicates the energy efficiency of the dishwasher. The label is divided into several categories: energy consumption, water consumption, sound level, capacity and duration of the program.
UNDERSTANDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY CLASSES
Energy efficiency classes are ratings assigned to various electrical appliances and devices to indicate their degree of energy efficiency. They are represented by letters ranging from A to G.
HOW TO READ THE ENERGY LABEL OF A DISHWASHER?
The dishwasher energy warning system informs consumers about:
- The name of the manufacturer and the model of the product;
- The energy efficiency of the product thanks to a scale of A to G;
- Energy consumption for 100 cycles;
- Water consumption for an Eco cycle;
- The sound perception class;
- The duration of the Eco cycle;
- Capacity in number of covers;
- A QR code that allows access to additional information
For dishwashers, the main criteria are: energy consumption, water consumption, drying capacity or cutlery capacity.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES FROM THE OLD ENERGY LABEL?
Visually, the new label differs little from the old one, however the changes, make it easier for consumers to read and understand. The elements to remember are the presence of a QR code and the deletion of classes A+++, A++ and A+.
With this new label identified in 2021, a device classified A+ on the old label can be classified in G on the new one.
This is the case with our product Bob the eco-compact dishwasher, formerly classified A. With the new classification, Bob’s energy rating is achieved on the same standard as the large dishwashers (9 to 15 covers) which justifies this downgrade. This change is explained below.
Source : Ademe
OLD LABEL
NEW LABEL
The most optimized dishwashers in this category can reach a ratio of litre of water used by the number of cutlery washed very optimized to obtain classes A or B. It is especially this large capacity that allows them to achieve this efficiency.
Bob’s compact size is not considered in the energy class criteria. Although it is one of the most economical in front of large class A dishes, this advantage is considered as a limiting factor preventing to reach a similar ratio. Bob is still the least water-intensive dishwasher in the compact dishwasher category (2-3 covers), and 5 times less water than a hand wash, with an average of 3L per cycle.
Access Bob the dishwasher’s product label on the official EPREL website.
ENERGY AND WATER CONSUMPTION
Energy consumption is measured in kWh per year. The lower the figure, the more energy efficient the dishwasher is. The consumption for a standard dishwasher is between 220 and 290 kWh per year, with its consumption of 100 kwh per year, Bob allows dividing this consumption at least by 2.
Water consumption is measured in litres per cycle. The lower the number, the less water the dishwasher consumes. Bob consumes 1.9 litres to 3.8 litres, while other dishwashers consume a minimum of 5–6 litres of water per cycle. In parallel, Bob consumes 5 times less water than a hand wash, with an average of 3L per cycle.
SOUND LEVEL
The sound level is measured in decibels (dB). The lower the figure, the quieter the dishwasher. A dishwasher with a noise level of 45 dB or fewer is considered silent. With a sound level of 43 dB, Bob is among the best in this category.
PROGRAM CAPACITY AND DURATION
Capacity is the amount of cutlery that the dishwasher can handle. Program time is measured in minutes. The shorter the duration, the faster the dishwasher completes the program.
The Bob dishwasher has 5 washing programs ranging from 15 min (glass cycle) to 180 min (eco cycle). Learn more about Bob’s programs.
In conclusion, understanding the energy class of a dishwasher can help you make an informed decision that will benefit both your wallet and the environment. But you also need to take into account the size of your home and the frequency of use. A small household may not need a large capacity dishwasher and a longer program life. Bob will therefore be more adapted to your needs and lifestyles.