1.3. Household goods labeling
In 1992, the 22nd of September, European Community issued the 92/75 Directive that established the framework for all kind of labeling activities within the European Union referring also to household goods labeling and standard product information about energy consumption and other resources of household appliances or sets.
Animation 2 Energy Label
This indication was introduced as optionally, but even so the results on energy savings were excellent. So, other two directives have been issued: no.2/1994/CE, and no.66/3.07.2003/CE, the latter introducing two other optional classes for refrigerators and freezers: A+, and A++.
An efficient energy management system would include household linked tools, by using different kind of connections, such as: wire (2/4 wires or the house network), infrared channels, micro-wave channels or radio channels, and one or more supervisor systems that ensure the implementation of control strategies. Generally, most “dream house” utilities are interconnected.
Animation 3 Smoothing of load curve by scheduling the consumption in house
The supervisor system interconnects and integrates all the elements that consume energy inside the house. Using data connection between elements would implement a control strategy designed either for minimizing the consumption or for smoothing the load curve.
The system implementation supposes the addition of an intelligent controller to each element. On the one hand this controller would receive the command telegrams from the supervisor system; on the other hand it would transmit information about the parameters (environment or self) to the supervisor. The programs that run on will provide the control function for the whole system, including optimization.
1.4. Details concerning household labeling
Details about the labeling rules used for different kind of household goods.
Manufacturer's name and product detail are first included on the label. The model specific to each device helps the customer to recognize the equipment wanted.
The “Energy ratings” item represents goods classification in terms of consumption level. Most appliances are rated on a scale from A to G, with A being the most efficient and G the least
. The Walloon Region in Belgium decided to provide subsidies for the purchase of eco-efficient electrical domestic appliances: from 2004 onwards, the purchase by private households of fridges, washing machines or dishwashers with the A+, A++ or AAA labels.
The more energy efficient an appliance is, the more money you save and help the environment. An environment friendly appliance offers the same performances and more.
Figure 4 Energy label
The item named „Energy consumption and running costs” shows how much electricity is used under standard conditions measured in kWh/year for refrigeration appliances and in kWh/cycle for washing machines and other appliances.
The average annual running cost can be calculated by multiplying the kWh consumption by the average unit price of electricity, thus being possible to estimate the savings achieved by buying an energy efficient appliance.
How well does it perform in other areas?
Laundry and dishwashing labels also have ratings for washing, spin and/or drying performance. The A-G indicators here are similar to the main energy efficiency ratings and are based on standard industry tests - the test cycle used is on the label. For instance, a washing machine with a good spin-drying performance will save money and time on tumble-drying.
Water consumption, capacity and diverse information represent other features. Varying with the product, a range of information is provided here to help the customer choose the best appliance for his own needs. As an example, you may want to find a washing machine that uses less water or a fridge that can automatically switch off.
Noise is specified for goods such as: refrigerators, washing machines ovens. The manufacturers do not have to provide information on noise but if they do so, the customers can use this to choose quieter models. A lower number presented here simply means that the appliance emits less noise.
Developments in energy efficiency index are the result of the technology and design evolution that household goods experienced thus consuming less and less of energy. The labeling scheme shows an energy efficiency index generated by comparing the appliance with the average European model.
Its bands were settled at the end of 1993, using values that vary according to the category of appliance. This average is invariable, and was set at the point dividing classes D and E, to allow for efficiency improvements over time. Affiliation of an individual appliance to a class is determined by means of segmentation of the energy efficiency index as outlined in the following table:
Table 3. 1 Energy efficiency index
Energy efficiency classes |
Energy efficiency index: I [kWh/liter of net volume/year] |
A |
< 55 |
B |
55 - 75 |
C |
75 - 90 |
D |
90 - 100 |
E |
100 - 110 |
F |
110 - 125 |
G |
> 125 |
The energy efficiency index is derived from dividing annual energy consumption by the net appliance volume (adjusted to equalize for different temperature zones). It effectively reflects the consumption in kWh per liter of net volume. Thus it is possible to compare appliances, even though they are of varying sizes with different proportions of cool and frozen space.
Examples:
Energy saving light bulbs, for the same level of brightness, consume only one fifth of the energy used by ordinary bulbs. While energy saving bulbs cost more initially, the electricity that they save easily recovers this cost over their life span. Most energy-saving light bulbs are advertised as having a 6 years life span. This is between eight to ten times as long as an ordinary light bulb.
Table 3. 2 Energy saving light bulbs
Device |
Energy Use Per Year |
60 Watt Incandescent Bulb |
131.4 KW |
8-Watt Compact Fluorescent Bulb |
17.5 KW |
How Do Energy Saving Light Bulbs Work?
Ordinary light bulbs consist of two electrodes with a tungsten filament attached between them. When the light is switched on, electricity flows through and heats up the filament until it glows. Filaments normally reach 2500 degrees Celsius and a lot of heat is given off together with the light. Energy saving light bulbs are a form of fluorescent lighting. In this type of bulb, a gas is encased within a glass tube coated with a layer of phosphor. When electricity passes through the gas, it emits ultraviolet ray that cause the phosphor coating to glow. This is more energy efficient because most of the energy is turned into light instead of heat.
Fridges and freezers are on the go 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For example:
Table 3. 3 Fridges and freezers
Fridge net capacity (liters): 214 |
Fridge net capacity (liters): 361 |
|
|
Energy consumption: |
Energy consumption: |
The new technology works on the theory that a magnetic field affects the atoms in some metals, aligning them so that they would be parallel with the field. This is a lower energy state than the atoms normal random distribution, so the surplus energy makes the metal heat up.
The refrigerator works by placing a magnet and a circulating water system so that they straddle a segment of a spinning metal disk. As the disk spins into the magnetic field, the atoms in the part beneath the magnet line up, and produce heat, which is removed from the disk by the circulating water.
As the section of disk moves away from the magnet, the atoms return to their normal distribution and the disk cools to below room temperature. A second stream of water, passed over the disk, is cooled in turn and is used to chill the refrigerator.
Washing machine. The mean energy consumption is represented in the table below, on different energy efficiency classes:
Table 3. 4 Washing machine
Energy Class |
(C=kWh/kg) |
Weighted mean energy consumption |
A |
C < 0.19 |
0.190 |
B |
0.19 |
0.223 |
C |
0.23 |
0.254 |
D |
0.27< C < 0.31 |
0.294 |
E |
0.31< C < 0.35 |
- |
F |
0.35< C < 0.39 |
- |
G |
0.39 < C |
- |
The main techniques used to achieve an energy efficient washing machine are based on fuzzy logic (the settings are made taking into consideration the laundry dirt degree, quantity, color or detergent quality), additional hot water supply (warming the water is one of the most energy-consuming process in the entire wash cycle) and the power of active oxygen (bubbles produced by an oxygen pump or released by the detergent).
Washing machines do, on average, an amazing 274 cycles a year. Using a 40°C wash cycle rather than 60°C means losing a third less electricity. Reduce the wash to a 30°C cycle and the amount of electricity saved (not to mention money) will be even higher.
Ovens. Fast and efficient microwave ovens use around 50 % to 65% less energy than conventional ovens. They have the added benefit of not heating up the kitchen. Microwaves ovens use very high-frequency radio waves to penetrate the surface of food to heat water molecules inside.
These energetic waves can greatly reduce the cooking time and energy consumption for preparing certain foods, especially in small amounts. Basic microwave ovens are almost equally efficient. New models of microwave ovens include features that improve energy efficiency and cooking performance, such as temperature probes, sensing controls that tell by moisture content when food is properly cooked, and variable power settings.
As an example:
Table 3. 5 Ovens
Appliance |
Temperature |
Time |
Energy consumption |
Electric Oven |
350 |
1h |
2.0 kWh |
Electric Frying Pan |
420 |
1h |
0.9 kWh |
Electric Crock pot |
200 |
7 h |
0.7 kWh |
Microwave Oven |
HIGH |
15 min |
0.36 kWh |
Air conditioner. Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) measures the cooling efficiency of the air conditioner compared to the power it consumes. It is the ratio of the cooling capacity in BTU/hr to its electricity consumption in watts.
Models with a higher EER would be energy efficient and save on electric bills but may be more expensive to buy.
Table 3. 6 Air conditioner
Energy Efficiency Class |
Unit |
A |
EER > 3.47 |
B |
3.47 > EER > 3.22 |
C |
3.22 > EER > 2.98 |
D |
2.98 > EER > 2.73 |
E |
2.73 > EER > 2.48 |
F |
2.48 > EER > 2.23 |
G |
2.23 > EER |
Most air conditioners are rated in BTU per hour (British Thermal Unit) or by tonnage. One ton is equal to 12,000 BTU per hour. An energy efficient compressor will save on electric bills in the long run, because the compressor causes 90% of total consumption. Air conditioners with rotary compressors generally make less noise than a reciprocating compressor. 60 decibels is the amount of sound created by two people in normal conversation.