Analysis of the Efficiency of European Domestic Refrigerators 1 Year After the Energy Label

The domestic refrigerator market in Europe is undergoing rapid change brought about by: the phase out of CFCs, pending legislation for minimum energy efficiency standards, and the introduction of a compulsory point of sale energy label. All of these changes have occurred in a different manner in Europe than elsewhere. In particular, the design of the European energy label utilises a psychologically orientated grading approach (A to G) that has not been tried on other markets. Furthermore, the near universal adoption of hydrocarbon refrigerants and foaming agents by German manufacturers may have significant implications for the energy efficiency of their appliances.