Energy Guide Labels

Federal law requires that EnergyGuide labels be placed on all new refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, dishwashers, clothes washers, room air conditioners, central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, and boilers. These labels are bright yellow with black lettering.

The most important change is that for several major appliances, the large dollar figure representing the estimated annual energy cost is no longer featured prominently in the middle of the label. Rather, the new labels for these appliances feature the estimated annual energy consumption, in kilowatt-hours per year (electric) or therms per year (gas). The estimated yearly operating cost is provided toward the bottom of the label. Each label provides the following information:


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The manufacturer, model number, type of appliance, and capacity are listed at the top of the label.

The line scale in the middle of the label shows how that particular model compares in energy efficiency with other models on the market of comparable size and type.

For refrigerators, freezers, water heaters, dishwashers, and clothes washers, the range shows energy consumption in kWh/year or therms/year. The most efficient models will have labels showing energy consumption ("This Model Uses"), at or near the left-hand end of the range, close to the words "Uses Least Energy."

For room air conditioners, central air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, and boilers, the range is not energy consumption, but rather, the energy efficiency ratings for these products (EER, SEER, HSPF, SEER, and AFUE, respectively). Therefore, labels on the most efficient models will show "This Model's Efficiency" at or near the right-hand end of the range, close to the words "Most Efficient."

The labels showing estimated annual energy consumption also show estimated annual operating costs, near the bottom of the label. This estimated cost is based on recent national average prices of electricity and/or natural gas, and assumes typical operating characteristics. Pay special attention to the default pricing used and compare it to electricity and natural gas pricing for your market. This extra stop will help determine if one model type is more cost effective than another.

New furnaces and boilers must now carry EnergyGuide labels showing their annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE); past labels for this equipment only offered suggestions for conserving energy. EnergyGuide labels on heating and cooling equipment still refer customers to the manufacturer's fact sheets available from the seller or installer. These fact sheets give further information about the efficiency and operating costs of the equipment under consideration.

EnergyGuide labels are not required on kitchen ranges, microwave ovens, clothes dryers, demand-type water heaters, portable space heaters, and lights.