Climate Classes – what do they mean?

The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range in which a fridge or wine cooler is designed to operate optimally. The climate class is usually shown on the rating plate at the back of the unit and is important to know when choosing its location.

Klima

The climate class indicates the ambient temperature range in which a fridge or wine cooler is designed to operate optimally. The climate class is usually shown on the rating plate at the back of the unit and is important to know when choosing its location.

There are four basic climate classes and several combination classes.

Basic climate classes

N (Normal)
Suitable for rooms with an ambient temperature from +16 °C to +32 °C.
This climate class is often found in energy‑efficient refrigerators for residential use.

T (Tropical)
Suitable for warm environments from +18 °C to +43 °C.
Units in this class typically have stronger insulation and a more robust compressor, allowing them to maintain a low internal temperature even in high heat. Often used in commercial settings.

SN (Subnormal)
Designed for cooler environments from +10 °C to +32 °C.
Suitable for, for example, basements or rooms with a lower than normal temperature.

ST (Subtropical)
Intended for warm and slightly humid environments from +18 °C to +38 °C.
They perform poorly in cold rooms.

Combination climate classes

Since temperature conditions can vary greatly, many units are approved for multiple climate classes. In these cases the climate class covers the full range from the lowest to the highest temperature.

N‑ST
Ambient temperature: +16 °C to +38 °C

N‑T
Ambient temperature: +16 °C to +43 °C

SN‑T
Ambient temperature: +10 °C to +43 °C
This is the most flexible climate class and is often found on units that can be placed in a wide variety of environments.

SN‑ST
Ambient temperature: +10 °C to +38 °C

Why is the climate class important?

If a fridge or wine cooler is placed in a room where the temperature falls outside the specified climate class, this can result in:

  • poorer cooling performance
  • higher energy consumption
  • increased wear on the compressor

For optimal operation it is always recommended to choose a unit whose climate class matches the room where it will be installed.

 

Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/DA/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX%3A32019R2019