The purchase price is only part of the cost
A washing machine, fridge or dishwasher is used for years, often a decade or more, and the electricity, and for some appliances water, it consumes over that time can add up to more than the difference between two models at purchase. Comparing running costs alongside the purchase price, rather than after, is the more complete way to shop for this category. Once the right appliance is identified on that basis, a voucher code or coupon code reduces what is paid for it, without changing the cost of running it for the years that follow.
The EU and UK energy label: A to G, rescaled in 2021
Appliances sold in the EU and the UK carry an energy label rating them from A, the most efficient, down to G, the least efficient. This scale was reset in 2021 after the previous system, which added extra pluses such as A+++, had become so compressed that most appliances on the market were clustered at the very top, making the rating far less useful for comparison. Under the reset scale, class A is initially left largely or entirely empty on purpose, to leave room for genuinely more efficient appliances in future without needing another reset immediately. A practical result of the change is that an appliance rated highly under the old scale can carry a noticeably lower letter under the current one, even though its actual energy consumption has not changed; only the label's reference points moved. The label also states estimated annual energy consumption in kilowatt-hours, which is a more directly comparable figure between two specific models than the letter grade alone, and since the 2021 update it carries a QR code linking to an EU product registration database where the same figures can be checked against the manufacturer's own registered data.
The US EnergyGuide label: a different approach
The US does not use a letter-grade scale for most home appliances. Instead, eligible appliances typically carry a yellow EnergyGuide label showing estimated yearly operating cost in dollars, along with the range of costs for comparable models on the market, giving a direct cost comparison rather than a letter rating. A separate, voluntary Energy Star mark, used on a wide range of product categories, indicates a model meets a recognised efficiency threshold, but it is a pass or fail mark rather than a graded scale, unlike the EU and UK system. Because the two approaches differ, a US buyer comparing appliances should look at the EnergyGuide's dollar estimate, while an EU or UK buyer should compare the letter grade together with the stated kilowatt-hour figure, rather than trying to match one system's number directly onto the other.
Reading past the headline letter or figure
The energy label's headline figure is based on standardised test conditions and a typical usage pattern, which will not exactly match any individual household's actual habits. Two appliances with the same letter grade can still differ in actual annual consumption depending on capacity, since the label accounts for typical use of that specific appliance's size rather than comparing, for example, a small and a large fridge on equal footing. Checking the stated capacity alongside the label, not the letter alone, gives a fairer comparison between two appliances of a similar type.
Other figures worth checking on the same label
- Noise level in decibels, relevant for appliances that run overnight or sit close to a living space, such as a dishwasher near a kitchen-diner.
- Water consumption per cycle, shown for washing machines and dishwashers, which affects running cost separately from electricity use.
- Capacity, shown in kilograms for laundry appliances or litres for fridges and freezers, which determines how efficiently the appliance can be loaded for its rated energy use.
Delivery, installation and old appliance removal
Large appliances usually arrive by a scheduled delivery slot rather than standard parcel courier, and it is worth checking, before ordering, whether installation, connection to existing plumbing or wiring, and removal of an old appliance are included or charged separately, since these can affect the real total cost noticeably more than a small difference in the appliance's own price.
Guarantee and returns for large appliances
In the EU and the UK, a statutory guarantee applies to appliances as to other goods, covering defects for a set minimum period regardless of any separate manufacturer warranty, and distance selling rules generally allow a change-of-mind return within a set period, though large appliances already installed and connected can be harder to return in practice even where the legal right exists. In the US, protection against defects rests on the manufacturer's warranty terms and state-level warranty law, and return policies for large appliances are set by the individual retailer, with delivery and restocking fees more common for bulky items than for smaller purchases. Reading the specific delivery and returns terms for a large appliance before ordering, rather than assuming they match a smaller purchase, avoids a costly surprise if the appliance needs to go back.
Comparing running costs and checking for a code
Once the energy label and capacity are compared, checking whether a current voucher code applies to the specific retailer is a reasonable final step, since promotions for large appliances are common around seasonal sale periods. We check codes across 527 shops in 22 countries several times a day, and current listings can be browsed under Home & Garden for UK-based retailers, or the matching US category for a US-based retailer.
Frequently asked questions
Why does an appliance that used to be rated A+++ now show a lower letter?
The 2021 rescale reset the reference points for the entire A to G scale, since the previous system had become compressed with too many appliances at the top. The appliance's actual energy use has not changed; only the label's scale did, so comparing letters from before and after the reset is not meaningful.
Is the Energy Star mark in the US the same as an A rating in the EU?
No. Energy Star is a pass or fail mark confirming a model meets a set efficiency threshold, not a graded scale. The EU and UK system grades appliances across a full range from A to G, so the two are not directly comparable, and a US buyer is better served comparing the EnergyGuide's estimated dollar cost between models.
Does a higher energy rating always mean a lower purchase price is a false saving?
Not automatically, since the difference in running cost depends on how heavily the appliance is used and on local electricity prices. Comparing the stated annual consumption figure against expected usage gives a more accurate answer than assuming a better rating always pays for itself quickly.
Can I return a large appliance the same way as a smaller online order?
The same general legal rights usually apply, but in practice large, installed appliances are harder to return, and retailers often set their own conditions around collection and restocking. Checking the specific delivery and returns terms for that item before ordering is more reliable than assuming standard terms apply.
