Refrigerator star ratings: Are they worth it?

The Energy Star rating is an energy certification rating put in place by the US-based Environmental Protection Agency. Per the EPA website, an energy Start labelled product is at least 15 per cent more efficient than the minimum standard set by US federal agencies.

India has adopted a similar rating system that is managed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The BEE tests various consumer electronics and appliances and rates them for efficiency on a scale of 1-5, and this system is called the Star Rating System.

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Devices that the EPA and BEE certifies can display a label that indicates the energy efficiency of an appliance. Energy Star rated products can boast of an Energy Star badge, while BEE certified devices carry a label indicating the energy efficiency rating between one to five stars. One-star indicates that the appliance has been tested but isn’t significantly more efficient than the minimum range defined for that category. Five stars indicates the highest efficiency. 

The BEE also verifies the energy efficiency claims of various appliances that require certification. If your refrigerator has an Energy Star rating, it is guaranteed to be at least 15 per cent more energy efficient than a regular refrigerator. In India, however, the BEE Star Label is more significant owing to the fact that the devices are tested in India under Indian weather and power conditions.

1. Why energy efficiency matters

2. BEE Star Label for refrigerators

3. How do you estimate the running cost of a refrigerator from the Star Label?

1. Why energy efficiency matters

Ten per cent a year might seem like a small amount, but when you consider the fact that a refrigerator is an appliance that runs 24×7, 365 days a year, for a device that should last 10-20 years in a home, the cost benefits add up over time. This is especially important in cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru where electricity tariffs are above Rs 8 per unit.

Assuming an average one-star refrigerator consumes 600 kWh per year and that an Energy Star rated one consumes 510 kWh (15 per cent less), you’ll save at least Rs 7,000 over 10 years simply by purchasing an Energy Star rated refrigerator.

Spending more on refrigerators certified by India’s BEE to be 3-star or 4-star devices will lead to even more significant savings.

BEE Star Label for refrigerators

As far as refrigerators are concerned, the difference in energy efficiency between a BEE one-star product and five-star product can be as high as 50 per cent. Few such devices are available in India, however, with most refrigerators being rated up to three stars.

The star rating of a refrigerator is calculated based on two primary factors: annual power consumption in kWh, and total volume of the refrigerator.

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Other numbers that figure in the calculations include seasonal variations in load – significant in a country like India – so exact figures for what qualifies as a 1-star refrigerator and what qualifies as a 5-star refrigerator aren’t available. One can, however, expect at least 10 per cent improvement in efficiency per star earned.

How do you estimate the running cost of a refrigerator from the Star Label?

A refrigerator certified by the BEE will have a label on it specifying two important parameters: the Star rating, and the measured or claimed annual energy consumption of the appliance.

To calculate running costs, you simply multiply the annual energy consumption with the per unit cost of electricity in your area to get an approximate cost. If a refrigerator is rated at 230 kWh annual power consumption and your per unit cost of electricity is Rs 7.5, the total energy usage of the refrigerator is Rs 1,725 per year (230×7.5 = Rs 1,725 per year). Assuming the refrigerator lasts at least 10 years, you will spend around Rs 17,250 on electricity over its lifetime.

To find the right refrigerator for your budget, add the cost of the refrigerator to its running cost over a 10-year period. You should see a significant cost benefit to using more efficient appliances.

Whether you opt for an Energy Star certified refrigerator or one that’s rated by the BEE, more efficient refrigerators cost more money but are worth investing in given the long-term cost savings. We’d recommend focusing on BEE ratings, but an Energy Star rated one is still better than one that is not rated.