Understanding the UK Energy Label (A–G): How to Cut Your Appliance Running Costs

That colourful label on every fridge, washing machine, and dishwasher isn’t just decoration — it tells you exactly how much an appliance will cost to run. Here’s how to read it and save money.

What the A–G scale means

UK appliances are rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The scale was made stricter a few years ago, so an “A” today is genuinely hard to achieve — most good appliances now sit around B, C, or D. Don’t be put off by a C rating; it can still be excellent.

The numbers that matter

• Annual energy use (kWh/year) — multiply this by your electricity unit rate to estimate yearly cost.
• Water consumption (washing machines/dishwashers) — litres per cycle.
• Noise level (dB) — important for open-plan homes.
• Capacity — so you can compare like with like.

A quick cost example

If an appliance uses 200kWh a year and your electricity costs around 25p per kWh, that’s roughly £50 a year. A less efficient model using 350kWh would cost about £87 — a difference of nearly £40 every year, or £400 over its lifetime.

Tips to lower running costs

• Buy the right size — a half-empty large appliance wastes energy;
• Use eco programmes; they run cooler and longer but use far less power;
• Run washing machines and dishwashers on full loads;
• Keep fridge freezers between 1–5°C (fridge) and −18°C (freezer).

Every appliance we sell shows its full UK energy label on the product page, so you can compare running costs before you buy — no surprises on your bill.