Since 1995, all fridges and freezers sold in the UK have been graded from A to E. A is the most energy efficient, E the least. Now that many more fridges are attaining the A grade, the European Commission is promoting a higher target called ‘Energy +’. To achieve this fridges and freezers have to use no more than 75% of the electricity used by A grade appliances, and their refrigerants and foaming agents must not be ozone depleters and should have low global warming potential.

Electrolux/AEG launched Europe’s first two ‘Energy +’ fridges in February 2000. They use 36% and 38% of the energy used by the average European fridge of comparable capacity and size. Electrolux/AEG expect to launch another four models by the end of 2000 and Spanish manufacturer Fagor Electrodomesticos expects to launch two. All will be available in the UK.