Optimization Guide
Shopify Home Appliance Energy Schema — EU Energy Label, EnergyStar & EnergyConsumptionDetails
AI shopping agents handling queries like "most energy-efficient dishwasher under £800," "A-rated washing machine 9kg load," or "EnergyStar certified refrigerator side-by-side" need machine-readable energy efficiency ratings, annual kWh consumption figures, and appliance capacity specs. Shopify has no built-in energy label output. Major appliances — where running cost over five years routinely exceeds purchase price — are exactly the category where energy class filtering by AI agents is most commercially consequential.
hasEnergyConsumptionDetails with EnergyConsumptionDetails and the EU EUEnergyEfficiencyCategory* enumeration for the A–G energy class rating. Add hasCertification for EnergyStar (US). Use additionalProperty for capacity (litres/kg), annual kWh, noise level (dB), rated power (W), and installation type. Store the EU EPREL registration number in identifier. Use a appliance.* metafield namespace for catalog-scale implementation.
EU Energy Label and EnergyConsumptionDetails
Schema.org's EnergyConsumptionDetails type was introduced specifically to encode the EU energy label system. The EU relabelled major appliances in 2021 — the scale reset from A+++ through D to a new A through G scale, with no A+++ products at launch to leave headroom for future improvements. Your structured data must use the correct 2021-scale enumerations to map to current EU label classes.
EU EnergyEfficiencyEnumeration values (2021 rescaled label)
| EU Class | Schema.org URL | Typical appliances |
|---|---|---|
| A | https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryA | Best performing (currently rare) |
| B | https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryB | High efficiency |
| C | https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryC | Good efficiency — common premium tier |
| D | https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryD | Above average |
| E | https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryE | Average |
| F | https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryF | Below average |
| G | https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryG | Lowest efficiency |
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Product",
"name": "EcoWash Pro 9000 — 9kg Washing Machine, 1400 RPM, EU Energy Class C",
"description": "Freestanding 9kg washing machine with 1400 RPM spin speed. EU energy class C (2021 rescaled label). Annual energy consumption 57 kWh. Noise level 48 dB(A) wash / 74 dB(A) spin. EPREL registration 445678.",
"sku": "ECOWASH-PRO-9000-C",
"brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": "EcoWash" },
"identifier": [
{
"@type": "PropertyValue",
"name": "EU EPREL Registration Number",
"propertyID": "https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/",
"value": "445678",
"url": "https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/qr/445678"
}
],
"hasEnergyConsumptionDetails": {
"@type": "EnergyConsumptionDetails",
"hasEnergyEfficiencyCategory": "https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryC",
"energyEfficiencyScaleMin": "https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryG",
"energyEfficiencyScaleMax": "https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryA"
},
"hasCertification": [
{
"@type": "Certification",
"name": "EU Energy Label Class C",
"issuedBy": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "European Commission — EU Energy Label",
"url": "https://energy-label.ec.europa.eu"
}
}
],
"additionalProperty": [
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Load Capacity", "value": "9", "unitCode": "KGM", "description": "9 kg maximum load" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Annual Energy Consumption", "value": "57", "unitCode": "KWH", "description": "57 kWh/year based on 220 standard cycles" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Spin Speed", "value": "1400", "unitCode": "RPM", "description": "1400 RPM maximum spin speed" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Noise Level (Wash)", "value": "48", "unitCode": "2N", "description": "48 dB(A) during washing cycle" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Noise Level (Spin)", "value": "74", "unitCode": "2N", "description": "74 dB(A) during spin cycle" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Rated Power", "value": "2200", "unitCode": "W", "description": "2200 watts rated power consumption" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Voltage", "value": "220-240V AC", "description": "230V AC / 50Hz" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Installation Type", "value": "Freestanding" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Number of Programs", "value": "16" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Water Consumption", "value": "49", "unitCode": "LTR", "description": "49 litres per cycle" }
],
"hasMeasurement": [
{ "@type": "QuantitativeValue", "name": "Height", "value": "850", "unitCode": "MMT" },
{ "@type": "QuantitativeValue", "name": "Width", "value": "595", "unitCode": "MMT" },
{ "@type": "QuantitativeValue", "name": "Depth", "value": "600", "unitCode": "MMT" },
{ "@type": "QuantitativeValue", "name": "Weight", "value": "73", "unitCode": "KGM" }
],
"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"price": "649.00",
"priceCurrency": "GBP",
"availability": "https://schema.org/InStock"
}
}
</script>
The hasEnergyConsumptionDetails triple — scale min, scale max, and actual category — is what enables AI agents to answer relative queries: "is this above or below average energy efficiency?" The scale boundaries (G = lowest, A = highest) provide the comparison context; the hasEnergyEfficiencyCategory value anchors your product within that scale.
EnergyStar for US Market Appliances
ENERGY STAR is the US equivalent of the EU energy label — a voluntary certification managed by the EPA and DOE, covering refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, heat pumps, air conditioners, and over 70 product categories. Unlike the EU's mandatory A-G scale, ENERGY STAR is binary: a product either qualifies or it doesn't. Use hasCertification to express it.
{
"@type": "Product",
"name": "FreshKeep 30 French Door Refrigerator — 30 cu ft, ENERGY STAR Certified",
"hasCertification": [
{
"@type": "Certification",
"name": "ENERGY STAR Certified",
"issuedBy": {
"@type": "Organization",
"name": "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)",
"url": "https://www.energystar.gov"
},
"certificationIdentification": "FreshKeep-FD30-2025",
"url": "https://www.energystar.gov/productfinder/product/certified-refrigerators/",
"validFrom": "2025-01-15"
}
],
"additionalProperty": [
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Capacity", "value": "30", "unitCode": "FTQ", "description": "30 cubic feet total capacity" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Annual Energy Consumption", "value": "630", "unitCode": "KWH", "description": "630 kWh/year (ENERGY STAR test procedure)" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Estimated Annual Operating Cost", "value": "76", "unitCode": "USD", "description": "~$76/year at $0.12/kWh US average" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Refrigerator Compartment", "value": "22.5", "unitCode": "FTQ" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Freezer Compartment", "value": "7.5", "unitCode": "FTQ" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Configuration", "value": "French Door" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Ice Maker", "value": "Yes" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Water Dispenser", "value": "Yes" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Defrost Type", "value": "Automatic" },
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Voltage", "value": "120V AC", "description": "120V AC / 60Hz (US standard)" }
]
}
Include the estimated annual operating cost as an additionalProperty — AI comparison agents use this to answer "cheapest to run refrigerator in its size category." Calculate it using the current US average electricity rate ($0.12/kWh as of 2025) and include the rate assumption in the description field so the estimate is transparent.
EU EPREL Registration — Legal Requirement and Structured Data Asset
Since March 2021, all regulated appliance categories sold in the EU must be registered in the EPREL database before going on sale. The EPREL number appears on the physical QR code on the EU energy label. Including it in your structured data serves two purposes: compliance signaling (the product has a valid EPREL registration, meaning it met the 2021 energy regulation requirements) and direct AI agent verification (agents can construct the EPREL verification URL from the registration number).
| Appliance category | EU regulation | Mandatory from |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerators / Freezers | EU 2019/2016 | 1 March 2021 |
| Washing Machines / Washer-Dryers | EU 2019/2014 | 1 March 2021 |
| Dishwashers | EU 2019/2017 | 1 March 2021 |
| TVs and monitors | EU 2019/2013 | 1 March 2021 |
| Light sources (bulbs, LEDs) | EU 2019/2015 | 1 September 2021 |
| Heat pumps / Air conditioners | EU 2016/2281 | Phased 2021–2025 |
| Tumble dryers | EU 2019/2014 | 1 March 2021 |
{
"@type": "Product",
"identifier": [
{
"@type": "PropertyValue",
"name": "EU EPREL Registration Number",
"propertyID": "https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/",
"value": "445678",
"url": "https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/qr/445678",
"description": "EU Energy Label EPREL registration — scan QR code to verify official energy label"
}
]
}
Appliance-Specific additionalProperty Reference
Different appliance categories require different specification sets. The following table covers the highest-value properties for each major category.
Washing machines
| Property name | unitCode | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| Load Capacity | KGM | 9 (kg) |
| Spin Speed | RPM | 1400 |
| Annual Energy Consumption | KWH | 57 |
| Water Consumption per Cycle | LTR | 49 |
| Noise Level (Wash) | 2N | 48 dB(A) |
| Noise Level (Spin) | 2N | 74 dB(A) |
| Number of Programs | — | 16 |
| Installation Type | — | Freestanding / Built-in |
Refrigerators
| Property name | unitCode | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | LTR or FTQ | 350 (litres) or 12.4 (cu ft) |
| Fridge Compartment | LTR | 254 |
| Freezer Compartment | LTR | 96 |
| Annual Energy Consumption | KWH | 157 |
| Noise Level | 2N | 35 dB(A) |
| Climate Class | — | SN-T (ambient 10–43°C) |
| Refrigerant Type | — | R600a (isobutane) |
Dishwashers
| Property name | unitCode | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| Place Settings | — | 14 |
| Annual Energy Consumption | KWH | 103 |
| Water Consumption per Cycle | LTR | 9.5 |
| Noise Level | 2N | 44 dB(A) |
| Number of Programs | — | 8 |
| Installation Type | — | Freestanding / Integrated |
Dawn Liquid Snippet: Appliance Energy JSON-LD from Metafields
Save as snippets/appliance-energy-schema.liquid. Triggers for products in the appliances, white-goods, or kitchen-appliances collections. Uses an appliance.* metafield namespace.
{% comment %} appliance-energy-schema.liquid — EU energy label + EnergyStar appliance schema {% endcomment %}
{% assign is_appliance = false %}
{% for collection in product.collections %}
{% if collection.handle == 'appliances' or collection.handle == 'white-goods' or collection.handle == 'kitchen-appliances' or collection.handle == 'major-appliances' %}
{% assign is_appliance = true %}
{% endif %}
{% endfor %}
{% if is_appliance %}
{% assign energy_class = product.metafields.appliance.eu_energy_class %}
{% assign eprel_number = product.metafields.appliance.eprel_number %}
{% assign annual_kwh = product.metafields.appliance.annual_kwh %}
{% assign capacity = product.metafields.appliance.capacity %}
{% assign capacity_unit = product.metafields.appliance.capacity_unit | default: 'KGM' %}
{% assign noise_wash = product.metafields.appliance.noise_wash_db %}
{% assign noise_spin = product.metafields.appliance.noise_spin_db %}
{% assign rated_power_w = product.metafields.appliance.rated_power_w %}
{% assign spin_rpm = product.metafields.appliance.spin_rpm %}
{% assign install_type = product.metafields.appliance.installation_type %}
{% assign energystar = product.metafields.appliance.energystar_certified %}
{% assign eu_class_url = '' %}
{% case energy_class %}
{% when 'A' %}{% assign eu_class_url = 'https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryA' %}
{% when 'B' %}{% assign eu_class_url = 'https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryB' %}
{% when 'C' %}{% assign eu_class_url = 'https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryC' %}
{% when 'D' %}{% assign eu_class_url = 'https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryD' %}
{% when 'E' %}{% assign eu_class_url = 'https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryE' %}
{% when 'F' %}{% assign eu_class_url = 'https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryF' %}
{% when 'G' %}{% assign eu_class_url = 'https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryG' %}
{% endcase %}
<script type="application/ld+json">
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "Product",
"name": {{ product.title | json }},
"description": {{ product.description | strip_html | truncatewords: 80 | json }},
"url": "{{ shop.url }}{{ product.url }}",
"sku": {{ product.selected_or_first_available_variant.sku | json }}
{% if product.vendor != blank %}
,"brand": { "@type": "Brand", "name": {{ product.vendor | json }} }
{% endif %}
{% if eprel_number != blank %}
,"identifier": [{
"@type": "PropertyValue",
"name": "EU EPREL Registration Number",
"propertyID": "https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/",
"value": {{ eprel_number | json }},
"url": {{ "https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/qr/" | append: eprel_number | json }}
}]
{% endif %}
{% if eu_class_url != '' %}
,"hasEnergyConsumptionDetails": {
"@type": "EnergyConsumptionDetails",
"hasEnergyEfficiencyCategory": {{ eu_class_url | json }},
"energyEfficiencyScaleMin": "https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryG",
"energyEfficiencyScaleMax": "https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryA"
}
{% endif %}
{% if energystar == 'true' or energystar == true %}
,"hasCertification": [{
"@type": "Certification",
"name": "ENERGY STAR Certified",
"issuedBy": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)", "url": "https://www.energystar.gov" }
}]
{% endif %}
,"additionalProperty": [
{% assign started = false %}
{% if capacity != blank %}
{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Capacity", "value": {{ capacity | json }}, "unitCode": {{ capacity_unit | json }} }
{% assign started = true %}
{% endif %}
{% if annual_kwh != blank %}
{% if started %},{% endif %}{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Annual Energy Consumption", "value": {{ annual_kwh | json }}, "unitCode": "KWH" }
{% assign started = true %}
{% endif %}
{% if spin_rpm != blank %}
,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Spin Speed", "value": {{ spin_rpm | json }}, "unitCode": "RPM" }
{% endif %}
{% if noise_wash != blank %}
,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Noise Level (Wash)", "value": {{ noise_wash | json }}, "unitCode": "2N" }
{% endif %}
{% if noise_spin != blank %}
,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Noise Level (Spin)", "value": {{ noise_spin | json }}, "unitCode": "2N" }
{% endif %}
{% if rated_power_w != blank %}
,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Rated Power", "value": {{ rated_power_w | json }}, "unitCode": "W" }
{% endif %}
{% if install_type != blank %}
,{ "@type": "PropertyValue", "name": "Installation Type", "value": {{ install_type | json }} }
{% endif %}
]
,"offers": {
"@type": "Offer",
"price": {{ product.selected_or_first_available_variant.price | money_without_currency | json }},
"priceCurrency": {{ cart.currency.iso_code | json }},
"availability": {% if product.available %}"https://schema.org/InStock"{% else %}"https://schema.org/OutOfStock"{% endif %},
"url": "{{ shop.url }}{{ product.url }}"
}
}
</script>
{% endif %}
5 Common Appliance Energy Schema Mistakes
| # | Mistake | Impact | Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Using old A+++ / A++ class strings after the 2021 EU rescale | A+++ and A++ no longer exist on the 2021 rescaled EU energy label — appliances sold after March 2021 use the A–G scale. Using old class strings in structured data creates confusion in AI agents parsing EU energy class data and may flag as a compliance inconsistency | Use the schema.org EUEnergyEfficiencyCategory* enumeration URLs which map to the current A–G scale. Check EPREL for the correct class for each product registered after March 2021 |
| 2 | Omitting the energy scale boundaries from EnergyConsumptionDetails | Without energyEfficiencyScaleMin and energyEfficiencyScaleMax, AI agents cannot determine where your product's class falls on the scale — a Class C product looks ambiguous without knowing C is third-best on an A–G scale |
Always include all three fields: hasEnergyEfficiencyCategory (actual class), energyEfficiencyScaleMin (G = worst), energyEfficiencyScaleMax (A = best) |
| 3 | No annual kWh figure in structured data | AI comparison agents answering "cheapest to run X" need the concrete energy consumption number — the EU class letter only provides a relative ranking within the product category, not an absolute figure for cost-to-run comparisons across categories | Add additionalProperty for "Annual Energy Consumption" with the kWh/year value from the EU energy label or EnergyStar test data |
| 4 | Missing EPREL registration number for EU-sold appliances | EPREL registration is legally required for most appliances sold in the EU since 2021. Its absence from structured data is a missed trust signal — AI agents surfacing EU market appliances may deprioritize products without EPREL verification link | Add identifier PropertyValue with the EPREL registration number and the verification URL (https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/qr/[number]) |
| 5 | Capacity specified only in product title (e.g., "9kg") without structured additionalProperty | Capacity-filtered queries ("washing machine 8kg or larger," "fridge under 200 litres") rely on structured numerical values for range filtering — title-embedded capacity numbers are inaccessible to AI filter logic | Add additionalProperty: { 'name': 'Load Capacity', 'value': '9', 'unitCode': 'KGM' } with the UN/CEFACT unit code so capacity comparisons work numerically |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I encode the EU A–G energy efficiency class?
Use hasEnergyConsumptionDetails with an EnergyConsumptionDetails object. Set hasEnergyEfficiencyCategory to the schema.org enumeration URL for your product's class (e.g., https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryC), energyEfficiencyScaleMin to https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryG, and energyEfficiencyScaleMax to https://schema.org/EUEnergyEfficiencyCategoryA. This triple provides both the absolute class and the scale context to AI agents. Remember: the 2021 EU rescale eliminated A+++ — use the new A–G scale enumeration values only.
Does schema.org support EnergyStar for US appliances?
Yes — use hasCertification with name: "ENERGY STAR Certified" and issuedBy: { '@type': 'Organization', 'name': 'U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)' }. Optionally add certificationIdentification with the ENERGY STAR model number. For products with both EU label and EnergyStar (e.g., appliances sold in both markets), include both hasEnergyConsumptionDetails (for EU class) and hasCertification (for ENERGY STAR) — they are complementary. See also Shopify Electronics Hardware Schema for EnergyStar and EU energy label on consumer electronics.
Where does annual kWh consumption go in schema.org?
Use additionalProperty: { '@type': 'PropertyValue', 'name': 'Annual Energy Consumption', 'value': '57', 'unitCode': 'KWH', 'description': '57 kWh/year based on 220 standard cycles' }. The unitCode KWH is the UN/CEFACT code for kilowatt-hour. AI cost-to-run comparison agents use this alongside energy prices to generate annual operating cost estimates — add an estimated cost calculation in the description to preempt that query.
Is the EPREL registration number worth including?
Yes — it's legally required for most EU appliance categories since 2021 and is a strong trust signal. Use identifier PropertyValue with propertyID: 'https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/', the number as the value, and url pointing to https://eprel.ec.europa.eu/qr/[number]. This URL is the same as what appears when a consumer scans the QR code on the physical energy label — AI agents can reference it to surface the official EU energy label for the product.
What appliance specs matter most for AI comparison queries?
Priority by query type: capacity (kg for laundry, litres for fridges, place settings for dishwashers) for size-filter queries; annual kWh for cost-to-run queries; noise level in dB(A) for "quiet" queries; installation type (freestanding vs integrated) for kitchen-fit queries. Add all of these as additionalProperty with correct UN/CEFACT unit codes. For dimensions, use hasMeasurement with QuantitativeValue for height/width/depth in mm. See Shopify Furniture Dimensions Schema for the hasMeasurement pattern.
Is your appliance energy label invisible to AI shopping agents?
CatalogScan audits your Shopify store's structured data and identifies missing EnergyConsumptionDetails, absent EPREL numbers, unstructured capacity specs, and omitted annual kWh figures — ensuring your appliances surface correctly in EU energy class and EnergyStar filter queries.
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