Starting from October 1st, five types of household appliances including variable frequency air conditioners, flat screen TVs, washing machines, air source water heaters, and range hoods will begin to implement new energy efficiency standards. According to specific regulations, washing machines will be the most affected, as the original level 2 to level 5 products will no longer be available for sale in the future.

Interpretation: Old style pulsator washing machines will be phased out

According to relevant announcements, starting from October 1st this year, five types of household appliances including variable frequency air conditioners, flat screen televisions, washing machines, air source water heaters, and range hoods will begin to implement new energy efficiency standards. It is reported that the implementation of the new energy efficiency standards for washing machines has significantly raised the market entry threshold for the industry.

The new energy efficiency standard for washing machines, GB 12021.4-2013 "Limits and Grades for Efficiency and Water Efficiency of Electric Washing Machines", still maintains the original level 5 energy efficiency. The testing method has been changed, and 50% of the rated load test data has been added to improve the washing performance of the product. The energy efficiency grade comprehensively considers the washing ratio, electricity consumption, and water consumption test results of 100% and 50%, while improving the technical indicators of the energy efficiency grade. At present, most household washing machines are at level 2-3. It is expected that mainstream products will achieve level 2 energy efficiency by 2015, and by 2020, mainstream drum washing machines, pulsator fully automatic washing machines, and drum washing and drying integrated machines will meet the energy efficiency level 1 power and water consumption requirements of GB12021.4-2013 national standard.

Compared with the old version of GB12021.4-2004, the new GB12021.4-2013 has comprehensively improved the energy efficiency level indicators. Under the original standard, fully automatic pulsator washing machines and fully automatic drum washing machines can reach level 1 or level 2. According to the new energy efficiency standards for washing machines, they are all below level 3 or below level 5 requirements. These means that existing level 2 to level 5 products will face elimination, and some old-fashioned low-priced washing machines such as semi-automatic double drum washing machines and single drum small automatic washing machines will no longer be available for sale in the future.

If "GB12021.4-2013" is a new standard and "GB12021.4-2004" is an old standard.

The difference between the "new label" and the "old label" of a washing machine

1. The energy efficiency standards were updated from 2004 to 2013 (replacing the original GB12021.4-2004 with GB12021.4-2013);

2. The power consumption/water usage/cleaning ratio data under the new energy efficiency standards have shown significant changes (decreases) compared to the original labels;

3. Add the words "China Energy Efficiency Labeling Network" website;

4. Increase the "dehydration capacity" data;

5. Printing layout changes (black font replaces the original white font on the horizontal lines of the producer name and specification model columns).