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Standards and Calculations

How are average annual running costs calculated for the different household appliances?

Below you can read which information from the official EU energy label been used for the calculation of the average energy costs for each type of appliance. 

Washing machines
A washing machine’s annual consumption depends on the energy use, the load capacity and use by the consumer. The YAECI project takes this information from the EU energy label, which now published the annual consumption in kilowatthours (kWh) for each individual model on the market. 

Tumble dryers
Tumble dryers have an energy label that states the consumption per standard cycle. Actual consumption depends on the load and how often the tumble dryer is used. A standard cycle is based on the following assumptions.

• On average, a tumble dryer is used 155 times a year.
• The average load is 3.4 kg; for a machine with a capacity of 5 kg this means a 78% decrease in energy use each time. The assumption is that this factor also applies to machines with a higher capacity.

Washer-dryers

• A washer-dryer is used to do washing just as often as a washing machine.
• The machine’s dryer function is used more often than a separate tumble dryer because it has a lower capacity. On the other hand, it is possible that tumble dryers are, on average, loaded with larger volumes.
• The assumption is that the best calculation of actual consumption is to use 220 times a year with an average 80% lower consumption due to under-capacity loads

Dishwashers
For dishwashers, the data from the official EU energy label is used, which states the models' annual electricity consumtion in kilowatthours (kWh).

Televisions
For TVs, the data from the official EU energy label is used, which states the models' annual electricity consumtion in kilowatthours (kWh).

Fridges and freezers
For fridges, freezers and combinations, the data from the official EU energy label is used, which states the models' annual electricity consumtion in kilowatthours (kWh).

Air conditioners
There are two main types of air conditioners:

• single and multi split units
• single and double duct units

The calculation of the annual running cost of the single and multi split units is based on the  average annual consumption which is provided on the official EU energy label. For single and double duct air conditioners only the hourly energy consumption is provided and the annual running costs will be estimated also based on the average annual hours of use. These usage patterns will be uniquely defined in each country, based on a literature review and expert opinion.

If an appliance has an energy saving or eco mode, is this included in the calculation?

These are options that consumers can set up themselves and are therefore difficult to take into consideration. As a thumb-rule, using an eco-mode is like doing washes at 30°C instead of 40°C. These options were not included when determining average consumption, unless they are already directly covered by the energy label information.

How is the average energy price per unit calculated?

Electricity prices can change all the time and can also be different from consumer to consumer. Within this project the average energy price is calculated by using the official ENEMALTA electricity prices per unit and the average consumption per household in Malta. 

What standards are used to calculate the energy costs?

The energy consumption data is supplied for each individual product through the official EU energy label. The data on the EU energy label is measured using international standards, valid in all around the EU, and supplied by the product manufacturers.