Fridge freezer energy ratings

Alnat1

We estimate that the lifetime of a fridge-freezer is 18 years on average, based on a September 2020 survey of 12,000 Which? members.

PennineAcute

I always look at the energy ratings when I purchase.  I have just purchased a new heat pump dryer, due to the top notch rating. 

With my old vented dryer (12 years old when it packed in), 2 washes and drys a week used 5 kWh of elec (1 for washer and 4 for dryer).  With my new dryer, I now use 3 kWh for the same amount of washing and drying.

Ultrasonic

Deleted_User said:

I'd start with the basics, like where it needs to fit, what capacity I need, and other preferences (e.g. frost free). And then look at price and energy rating together.

I just tried a search for FF's with a width of exactly 60cm (the most common width) on John Lewis, to give roughly comparable sizes of FF. (If this was a real search, I'd add other filters to taste at this stage.)

For each energy rating (A-F), I looked up the estimated annual electricity use of the cheapest model. (There might be a more expensive model with the same rating that uses less electricity.)

I found:

A 169kWh £1,379
B 169kWh £1,129.99
C 169kWh £849
D 199kWh £679
E 294kWh £399
F 317kWh £599

So A and B rated models have the same estimated electricity use as C, and cost a lot more.

F rated models cost more than E, as well as using more electricity.

It's down to C,D,E for the best value.

Upgrading from E to D costs an extra £280, but saves 95kWh per year. At (let's say) 40p per unit, that's £38 saved per year. So the higher initial cost pays for itself after about 7 years.

Upgrading from D to C costs an extra £170, but saves 30kWh per year. At 40p per unit, that's £12 saved per year. So this upgrade takes about 14 years to pay for itself.

I would definitely expect a decent FF to last over 7 years. And perhaps over 14 years, but that's a bit marginal. So I'd say it's worth going for at least a D rated model; but less clear whether it's worth going for a C.

When I bought a FF 2 years ago, I went for a D rated model ... well, it was A+++, the top rating on the old rating system. At the time, it didn't appear to be worthwhile in purely economic terms compared a cheaper A++ model. However, rising energy prices have made this decision correct with hindsight.

This is very much in the territory of Vimes Boots theory. I.e. some people can't afford the more expensive models, even if they would pay for themselves in time.

That's any interesting analysis but did you mean £599 for the F category? This one costs £330 and uses 268 kWh per year:

https://www.currys.co.uk/products/indesit-li6-s1e-w-7030-fridge-freezer-white-10226535.html

(I only checked Curry's, but looked as I was surprised by what you'd found.)

Alnat1

Are you comparing like with like though?

As mentioned before, it's the freezer that uses most electricity so unless all those FF have a very similar split between fridge and freezer and similar capacity for both, it's not really a comparison.

Would it need a comparison of how much energy per litre of fridge and per litre of freezer space it uses?

That then brings in a Which? comment I read that says some companies measure capacity without shelves/drawers to make it appear more......

Mrs_F_2017

I am currently redoing our kitchen and having new integrated appliances. 

I went for the slightly higher priced fridge freezer as it was B rated v the other one at D. 

Regarding old appliances - my best friends Mum has had the same fridge since we were 12 - we’re now 35. It’s an AEG but understand the quality of AEG has dropped since then. Couldn’t comment on how energy efficient it is though. 

Mister_G

Our 25 year old built in Bosch seperate Fridge and Freezer are still going stong, with no problems.  Not too sure about the efficiency, but the reliability is more imortant to us.

pochase

Mrs_F_2017 said:

I am currently redoing our kitchen and having new integrated appliances. 

I went for the slightly higher priced fridge freezer as it was B rated v the other one at D. 

Regarding old appliances - my best friends Mum has had the same fridge since we were 12 - we’re now 35. It’s an AEG but understand the quality of AEG has dropped since then. Couldn’t comment on how energy efficient it is though. 

What integrated fridge freezer with B rating did you find? Best I can't find is D rated. Even stand alone with B-rating I can find are with over £1100 are not just slightly cheaper.

Mrs_F_2017

@pochase the one we have on order is a Liebherr integrated one. And it was over £1100 - we got it for about £1500 from memory. We also had very specific configuration requirements which is one of the reasons we’ve ended up with this model too. 

I’m aware this is a money saving forum and cheaper fridge freezers are available before anyone passes comment - no disrespect meant either with that  🙈

pochase

116KWh per year, very nice. And seems you got a very good price.

Yes, no chance to make up the additional cost using less energy - at least I don't hope so for all of us, but money saving is not just about buying the cheapest, for me it is about getting what you want and need at the best price.

Mrs_F_2017

Thank you @pochase you are right.

We only require a very small freezer but wanted a big fridge still and Liebherr was one of very few brands that we could get that from.