ENERGY+ SPECIFICATIONS

Registered products that meet the mandatory specifications indicated below are called Qualified Energy+ refrigerators & freezers. If you are a manufacturer and want to submit appliances to be included in the Energy+ lists, write to contact@energy-plus.org. 

The Energy+ appliances specifications are based on the NEW European Energy Labelling Directive (2003/66/EC). In order to simplify  the presentation of the Energy+ lists, these A+ and A++ appliances appear sorted according to the following categories:

• Table top (max height 85 cm) refrigerators
• Refrigerators
• Table top refrigerator-freezers
• 1-door refrigerator-freezers
• 2-door refrigerator-freezers
• Table top freezers
• Upright freezers
• Chest freezers

Mandatory specifications for Energy+ Refrigerators and Freezers

The units may:

• Be of any of the 10 categories of cold appliances as defined in the European Energy Labelling Directive 2003/66/EC:

Category Description

1. Refrigerator without low-temperature compartment
2. Refrigerator/chiller with compartment at 5°C and or 12°C
3. Refrigerator with 0-star low-temperature compartment
4. Refrigerator with 1-star frozen food compartment
5. Refrigerator with 2-star frozen food compartment
6. Refrigerator with 3-star frozen food compartment
7. Refrigerator/freezer with 4-star frozen food compartment
8. Upright freezer
9. Chest freezer
10. Refrigerator/freezer with more than two doors or other appliances not covered above

The units must:

• Have an energy efficiency index equal to or below 42% (in accordance with Directive 2003/66/EC and the EN 153 test procedure).
• Have a maximum energy consumption of 280 kWh/year
• Be available on the European market (EU, Norway and Switzerland) by the relevant official Energy+ list update publication deadline.

The units can:

• Be static or frost free.
• Be free standing or built in.
• Be SN, N, ST or T climate class or multiclass*.

* Applicants are reminded that a majority of our institutional buyers are likely to come from North European countries.

Energy+  Lists update 

The FINAL lists are updated and published in February 2004. This update will exclusively include available models on the market as of March 31, 2004. Comments and questions: contact@energy-plus.org

Evaluation of Energy+ Entries

All models that meet the mandatory specifications are included in the Energy+ list. Product performance test reports must be supplied and random testing using established testing methods will be carried out. If this testing shows that the model performance does not comply with the reported values given in the test reports the Energy+ steering group will notify the manufacturer who will then have the following two choices:

• To let the Energy+ project remove the appliance from the list and communicate the change to the Energy+ buyers and supporters.
• To let the Energy+ project randomly select and test three appliances at the expense of the manufacturer (including the cost of purchasing the tested units, all transportation and testing fees). Should this second round of testing confirm the entry data, no measures will be taken.

Note. Random testing of the appliances will be performed at an internationally recognised testing laboratory using standardised European methods and protocols.

Information that must be provided

For inclusion in the Energy+ list, the following information must be provided for each submitted available model:

• The model reference.
• The name of the manufacturing parent company.
• Brand name and subsidiary company (if applicable).
• The countries where the model is, or will be, available.
• The cold appliance category according to Directive 2003/66/EC.
• Number of external doors.
• Number of compressors.
• The climate class or range of climate classes as applicable.
• Whether the appliance is static or frost free.
• Whether the freezer is placed at the bottom or at the top.
• The energy efficiency index given in accordance with Directive 2003/66/EC and tested according to the EN 153 procedure.
• All the information normally displayed on the European energy label.
• If the product's availability on the European market is limited for technical reasons this must be stated.
• Type and quantity of foaming agent.
• Type and quantity of refrigerant.
• Outer dimensions (cm) W x H x D.
• Test reports supporting claimed performance.

Voluntary information request

Manufacturers are welcome to submit the following optional information, which is of importance to our buyers and retailers.

• Noise level according to Council Directive 86/594/EEC using the EN 28960 test standard.
• Whether the model has an easily visible freezer compartment temperature display or not.
• Photographs of the submitted models that can be used for Energy+ published information.