Energy label explained · Fridges & freezers
How to read the fridge and freezer energy label
The fridge label states how much electricity the appliance uses in a year, how many litres its frozen and fresh compartments hold and how loud it is. The class from A to G rates that consumption against a reference for an appliance with the same compartments and volume, as laid down in Regulation (EU) 2019/2016.
What is printed on the label?
Below the brand, model and QR code, the label carries the energy class, the yearly consumption, two volumes and a noise value. It has applied to fridges, freezers, fridge-freezers and wine coolers sold in the EU since 1 March 2021.
| On the label | What it means |
|---|---|
| A–G scale and black arrow | Energy class, set by the energy efficiency index |
| XYZ kWh/annum | Electricity used in a year under test conditions, rounded to whole kWh |
| Snowflake, litres | Total volume of all frozen compartments, from ice boxes to 4-star freezers; missing if there are none |
| Milk carton, litres | Total volume of all fresh and chill compartments; missing on a pure freezer |
| Loudspeaker, dB and A–D | Noise as sound power in dB(A), with a noise class from A (quietest) to D |
| 2019/2016 | The regulation that defines the label and its test |
How is the yearly kWh measured?
The appliance runs in a test room at 16 °C and again at 32 °C; the daily consumption of both runs is averaged and multiplied by 365, and for appliances with only frozen compartments divided by 0.9 to allow for loading food. Each compartment must hold its target temperature: 4 °C for fresh food, 2 °C for a chill drawer, −18 °C for a freezer, 12 °C for wine.
Automatic defrosting is included, switchable anti-condensation heaters are on and connected models stay online. Door openings and warm shopping are not simulated; the regulation lets the raised average room temperature of 24 °C stand in for part of that load.
How is the energy class worked out?
The class comes from the energy efficiency index: the measured yearly consumption as a percentage of a standard consumption calculated for that appliance. The standard grows with the volume of each compartment and is higher for colder ones, with allowances for automatic defrosting, built-in installation and the number of doors.
| Class | Index (consumption as % of standard) |
|---|---|
| A | 41 or less |
| B | over 41 to 51 |
| C | over 51 to 64 |
| D | over 64 to 80 |
| E | over 80 to 100 |
| F | over 100 to 125 |
| G | over 125 |
The class therefore says how efficient a fridge is for its volume, not how little it uses: a large class B fridge-freezer can draw more than a small class D fridge. That is why our fridge and freezer pages compare models only within the same type and size. The distribution below shows how the registered models spread across the classes.
A: 1% · B: 1% · C: 5% · D: 12% · E: 49% · F: 23% · G: 8%
What does the noise value mean?
It is the sound power the appliance emits, in dB(A) relative to one picowatt, not the level you hear from across the room; it is measured the same way for every model. The classes are A below 30 dB, B from 30 to under 36 dB, C from 36 to under 42 dB and D from 42 dB. Our list of the quietest fridges and freezers sorts by the declared value.
What changes on a wine cooler label?
Only the capacity: a pictogram of three bottles replaces the two volumes and shows how many standard wine bottles fit. To count as a wine storage appliance it needs precise temperature control, tested at 12 °C, humidity between 50 % and 80 % and anti-vibration measures. Class, consumption and noise read as on a fridge.
What does the fridge label leave out?
Several values that matter in daily use are only in the product information sheet behind the QR code.
- Climate class, the room temperatures the appliance is built for: SN 10 to 32 °C, N 16 to 32 °C, ST 16 to 38 °C, T 16 to 43 °C. This matters in a cold garage or a hot utility room.
- Freezing capacity in kilograms per 24 hours, defrosting type, dimensions and the minimum guarantee.
- Your real consumption, which rises in a warm kitchen, with frequent door opening and next to the oven.
Our fridge buying guide covers choosing a size; the general label explainer explains why class A is still rare.
Questions
Is the kWh/annum figure what my fridge will really use?
It is the consumption under the standard test, averaged over a 16 °C and a 32 °C room with no door openings. In a warm kitchen, with frequent opening or warm food put inside, real use is higher. The figure is reliable for comparing models, less so as a forecast.
Why does a big fridge get the same class as a small one that uses less?
The class compares consumption with a standard calculated from the volume and type of each compartment, so larger appliances are allowed more kWh for the same class. The class measures efficiency for the size, not total use. Compare kWh per year if the bill is what matters.
Which regulation defines the fridge energy label?
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016, applying since 1 March 2021 and amended by Regulation (EU) 2021/340. It covers mains-operated refrigerating appliances from 10 to 1,500 litres, including wine coolers and minibars. Its number is printed vertically at the bottom right of every label.