Major energy-saving measure
With the previous system (started in 1998) having aged a bit and the overall improved level of energy consumption for household appliances, an increasing number of appliances ended up in the best category. To solve that issue, new labels (A+, A++ and A+++) were added to the outdated system, but that meant that the least energy-friendly appliance could still receive an A label which is confusing to consumers.
The European Commission has decided to start over with a clean slate: the most energy-efficient appliance will get an A label, while the worst appliances in this area will get a G label. That should it make it easier for consumers to see which appliances are energy efficient and which are not.
The new system should help save energy equal to the annual energy consumption of all the Baltic States. Before that can happen, the new labels have to be approved by the European Parliament and the member states.
