Assessing the EU Energy Efficiency Label for Appliances: Issues, Potential Improvements and Challenges

Amaia de Ayala and María del Mar Solà
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Amaia de Ayala: Department of Applied Economics, Faculty of Social and Communication Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain
María del Mar Solà: Department of Applied Economics, Faculty of Social and Communication Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Barrio Sarriena s/n, 48940 Leioa, Spain

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 12, 1-25

Abstract: The EU Energy Efficiency (EE) label for appliances, readjusted in March 2021 (Directive 2017/1369/EU), is a key instrument for nudging consumers towards more energy-efficient purchases. However, its effectiveness depends on its design, the information provided and consumers’ understanding of and trust in it. This paper seeks to contribute to the assessment of the EE label for appliances and to identify issues, potential improvements and challenges for successfully nudging consumers towards highly energy-efficient choices. To that end, 33 in-depth interviews have been conducted with three different groups (citizens, appliance retailers and experts in energy) to ascertain the opinions and experiences of different agents as to consumers’ preferences and opinions on EE and energy consumption. We focus on purchasing decision-making by Spanish consumers for the three main appliances: washing machines, fridges and dishwashers. The EE label for appliances seems to be well-known and reliable for consumers. The main weakness lies in people’s understanding of its content rather than in its design. The coloured alphabetical EE scale seems to be well understood and the restored A–G scale of the readjusted label positively valued. However, we find comprehension issues with regard to the information on energy consumption and the technical data at the bottom of the label. Monetary information on energy consumption seems to facilitate consumers’ understanding, but it is technically challenging due to the complexity of the unit of measurement. Results are discussed, taking into account the relevant literature.

Keywords: energy efficiency; energy label; energy consumption; purchasing decision-making; appliances; in-depth interviews (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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