The A–G letter is the most prominent item on a refrigerator energy label, but it is not enough on its own. The European Union label used since 2021 also shows annual energy consumption, the usable volumes of frozen and unfrozen compartments, and airborne acoustical noise during normal operation together with its A–D class. Its QR code opens the model’s entry in the EU EPREL product database.
Do not shop by one letter. First decide where the appliance will stand and how much chilled and frozen space you actually need, then compare models with similar layouts on the same basis.
1. Annual kWh is the comparable consumption figure
The kWh-per-year figure is annual energy consumption determined under standardised conditions. It is most useful when the appliances have similar sizes, freezer proportions and functions. A large multi-door refrigerator serves more storage space, so the lowest kWh number alone does not reveal the most suitable choice.
For a personal cost estimate, multiply the label’s annual kWh by the electricity price that applies to your home. This is a comparison estimate, not a bill guarantee: room temperature, door opening, temperature settings, food loads and maintenance all affect real consumption.
2. Read the two litre figures separately
The label states the total volume of frozen compartments separately from the combined volume of chilled and unfrozen compartments. This is more useful than guessing from external dimensions or one headline “total capacity” figure.
Think about a normal weekly shop. Do you store plenty of fresh food, large dishes and vegetables, or is freezer space more important? Rearranging shelves cannot always correct a poorly chosen internal split. Check the manufacturer’s product information sheet for compartment types, shelf and drawer layouts and the spaces included in the stated volumes.
3. Noise class is a decision criterion in open-plan homes
The label gives a measured sound-power value in dB(A) and an A–D noise class. Under the EU thresholds:
- A: below 30 dB;
- B: from 30 dB to below 36 dB;
- C: from 36 dB to below 42 dB;
- D: 42 dB or more.
The decibel scale is not linear, so a small numerical difference should not be read as a simple percentage. In a studio or an open kitchen and living room, the class and exact dB figure can matter more than they do in a closed kitchen. The label is a normal-operation comparison; it does not promise that every click, fan sound or defrost phase will be identical. Also check levelling and placement instructions, because contact with cabinetry or poor adjustment can amplify vibration.
4. Find climate class on the product information sheet
Climate class identifies the ambient-temperature range for which the appliance is intended while meeting the required storage conditions. The EU definitions are:
- SN, extended temperate: 10–32°C;
- N, temperate: 16–32°C;
- ST, subtropical: 16–38°C;
- T, tropical: 16–43°C.
A model may cover more than one class; always check the exact minimum and maximum values on its product information sheet. This is especially important in an unheated pantry or garage, or in a kitchen that becomes very warm in summer. Climate class does not mean the appliance consumes the same amount of energy throughout the range. It states the ambient conditions for which it was designed. The manufacturer’s installation requirements for ventilation gaps, nearby heat sources and cabinetry take priority.
5. The exact model number is essential when scanning the QR code
The label’s QR code leads to the EPREL record. Verify that the shop display, online listing, packaging and EPREL use the same model identifier. A similar marketing name is not enough: variants within one family can differ in efficiency, noise, volume or climate class.
The EPREL product information sheet can be used to check overall dimensions, total and compartment volumes, noise, annual energy consumption, climate class and the minimum and maximum suitable ambient temperatures. If a retailer’s data differs from the record, request clarification before buying.
6. Built-in refrigeration makes the cabinet part of the technical system
For a built-in model, measure niche height, width and depth, then verify the required ventilation openings. The hinge system, opening angle and permitted furniture-door weight belong in the decision alongside energy class.
For a freestanding model, keep the clearances required by the manufacturer and avoid prohibited proximity to heat sources. The label does not replace the installation drawing: an efficient model on paper may not operate as intended if airflow is restricted.
Seven-step shop checklist
- Measure the space, door swing and ventilation.
- Choose a chilled-to-frozen volume split that fits your household.
- Compare annual kWh between models of similar size and layout.
- In open-plan rooms, read the dB value together with the A–D noise class.
- Check climate class and the minimum–maximum ambient range.
- Scan the QR code and match the exact model in EPREL.
- Review the manufacturer’s installation, maintenance and service information.
The best refrigerator is not automatically the one with the strongest class letter. It is the model whose annual consumption, storage layout, noise and operating-temperature range all fit the home and its daily routine.
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