What Is the Best Energy
Rating for a Fridge Freezer?
The 2021 EU energy label rebased everything to A to G. The honest answer for UK 2026 is that B or C is currently the best you can practically buy plus they save real money over a 10 to 15 year lifespan versus older D, E plus F-rated models.
The current EU/UK energy label for fridge freezers runs A to G, with A being most efficient. In practice, almost no current fridge freezers achieve A. The best widely-available models in 2026 are B or C rated. These typically use 30 to 40 percent less electricity than D rated equivalents plus 50 to 60 percent less than F or G. For a typical UK household, an upgrade from D to B saves roughly £30 to £45 per year, paying back the price difference in 4 to 7 years. Across the 12 to 15 year lifespan, the saving compounds to £400 to £700.
The figures that matter
Best practically available
A rating is reserved. Most efficient widely-available models in 2026 are B or C.
B vs D
A B rated fridge freezer uses 30 to 40 percent less than a D rated equivalent.
Annual saving
Typical UK household upgrading from D to B rated fridge freezer.
Payback period
Time for the price premium of a higher-rated model to pay back through electricity savings.
Four things to consider
Read 2021 labels not old ones
The pre-2021 A+++ to G scale was retired. Modern labels run A to G with no plus signs.
B or C is current best
A rating is reserved for future highly-efficient models. B or C is the practical best in 2026.
Older labels misleading
Pre-2021 A+++ rated fridges typically rate as D or E on the new scale. The label rebased without changing the appliance.
Pays back across lifespan
12 to 15 year typical fridge freezer life means efficiency savings compound significantly.
How the 2021 UK fridge freezer energy label works
The UK uses the rebased 2021 EU energy label for fridge freezers. The old scale (A+++ down to G) was retired because almost everything had reached A+++ over time. The new scale runs A to G with no plus signs, recalibrated so that A is reserved for future innovations. Most current best-in-class fridge freezers achieve B or C.
What the rebased ratings actually mean for running cost:
- A rating. Reserved for future highly-efficient models. Almost no fridge freezers currently achieve A in 2026.
- B rating. Premium tier. 0.55 to 0.75 kWh per day for typical 250 to 350L. Around £50 to £68 per year.
- C rating. Strong mid-tier. 0.7 to 0.9 kWh per day. £63 to £81 per year.
- D rating. Mainstream UK retail. 0.85 to 1.1 kWh per day. £77 to £99 per year.
- E rating. Budget tier. 1 to 1.4 kWh per day. £90 to £127 per year.
- F rating. Old or low-spec. 1.3 to 1.6 kWh per day. £117 to £144 per year.
- G rating. Worst current efficiency. 1.5 to 2 kWh per day. £135 to £180 per year.
Why old A+++ ratings are misleading. The pre-2021 label inflated over time as appliances improved. A pre-2021 A+++ rated fridge freezer often only rates as D or E on the new scale. This is not because the appliance got worse but because the scale rebased to give room for future improvements. If buying second-hand or replacing an older fridge freezer, do not assume A+++ on the old label means anything close to A on the new label.
When upgrading pays back. A modern UK 250 to 350L fridge freezer costs £300 to £700 depending on rating plus features. The price gap between a D rated model (£300 to £450) plus a B rated equivalent (£500 to £700) is roughly £150 to £250. The annual electricity saving is £30 to £45. Payback in 4 to 7 years. Across a 12 to 15 year lifespan, total saving is £400 to £700, comfortably covering the price difference plus delivering ongoing benefit.
What else affects real-world running cost beyond the label:
- Placement temperature. Hot kitchens force the compressor to run more often regardless of energy rating.
- Door-opening frequency. Heavy-use households see real-world electricity higher than the label figure.
- Compartment configuration. Larger freezer share or ice plus water dispensers add load.
- Age of the unit. Even premium-rated models lose 5 to 15 percent efficiency over 10 to 15 years through seal degradation.
Real number ranges
Annual fridge freezer cost by rating (UK 2026)
Lifetime savings of upgrading rating
Initial cost
B rated model costs £150 to £250 more than D rated equivalent. Saving £30 to £45 in electricity.
Payback
Cumulative savings reach £150 to £225. Initial price premium recovered.
Net saving
Cumulative savings of £300 to £450. Net saving of £150 to £200 versus D rated alternative.
Full lifespan
Total saving £450 to £675. Significant net benefit even at end of typical lifespan.
Four things to know when buying a rated fridge freezer
Compare 2021 labels only
Older A+++ labels are not comparable. Always check the current 2021 A to G scale rating displayed on UK retail.
Check kWh per year on label
Below the letter rating, the label gives kWh per year. Multiply by 24.7p to get current annual running cost.
Match capacity to actual need
A B rated 600L American fridge still uses more electricity than a D rated 300L standard fridge. Right-size first.
Calculate payback before buying
Premium rating costs more upfront. For 4+ year ownership the saving covers the price gap plus more.
Compare the options
B rated fridge freezer
- ✓0.55 to 0.75 kWh per day for 250 to 350L.
- ✓£50 to £68 per year at 24.7p per kWh.
- ✓£500 to £700 retail price for current models.
- ✓Premium insulation plus compressor. Better long-term durability.
- ✓£300 to £450 saving across 10-year ownership.
D rated fridge freezer
- ✗0.85 to 1.1 kWh per day for the same capacity.
- ✗£77 to £99 per year at the same Ofgem rate.
- ✗£300 to £450 retail price for current models.
- ✗Mainstream specification. Good but not premium.
- ✗Lower upfront cost but £300+ more in lifetime electricity.
Energy ratings on fridge freezers compound significantly across the appliance lifespan. Our full Appliances hub covers running costs across every major UK household appliance.
Visit the Appliances Hub
This article is one chapter inside our complete Appliances knowledge base. The hub covers running costs across every major household appliance from kettles to heat pumps.
More on appliance running costs
Three further refrigeration articles in the same hub group cover related questions. The first is how much electricity does a fridge freezer use per day for daily figure context. The second covers how much electricity does a fridge use for the standalone fridge equivalent. The third is how much electric does a mini fridge use for compact equivalents.