Press Release from DEFRA
Ref: 278/09
Date: 30 November 2009
Research published today shows that some of the top selling household appliances may not be performing in accordance with claimed standards printed on the labels.
Many domestic appliances are required to be labelled showing their energy use, energy efficiency and other characteristics. Defra tested 24 of the best selling washing machines, 24 ovens and 265 different light bulbs. These tests are not full legal compliance testing, where four samples of each washer drier and oven; and 20 samples of each light bulb need to be tested but simply a snapshot, testing individual appliances against their energy labelling.
Test results included:
- 16 of the 24 washer driers tested did not perform in accordance with all the declarations on their labels.
- Four of the washer driers tested were unable to dry to the required level – so energy and water measurements could not be compared with the performance declared on the label. This means that even where consumers have bought an apparently energy efficient appliance, the need to dry clothes for longer may result in higher energy use than suggested on the label.
- 23 of the 24 ovens tested performed in accordance with their energy efficiency label.
- Some light bulbs tested had no labels at all despite this being mandatory.
- Three-quarters of Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) performed to all the declarations on their label (correct energy class, brightness and wattage used) whereas 43% of old style incandescent bulbs and 31% of the tungsten halogen bulbs did not perform to all the declarations tested.
- 8% of CFL bulbs labelled A tested as B.
Environment Minister Dan Norris said:
“When people buy a new household appliance, they need to be confident that if it says it is energy efficient, it will live up to those standards.
“Many more people are now ensuring that the products they buy will use less energy and therefore will reduce both their carbon footprint and their fuel bill.
“Defra is pushing Europe to revise and extend the A-G energy efficiency labelling system for more products to greater promote high efficiency products and help consumers chose the best products on the market. This research highlights the need for these standards to be fully enforced. Defra have recently appointed a new market surveillance authority to ensure this happens.”
The full results can be found at:
http://efficient-products.defra.gov.uk/complianceDownload the PDFs:
- 2009: Market Picture Testing 2008-2009 Lamps Report
- 2009: Market Picture Testing 2008-2009 Ovens Report
- 2009: Market Picture Testing 2008-2009 Washer Driers Report