Does the EU Ecodesign Directive reduce the environmental impact of product design?
The EU sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for the appropriate productsvia the "Directive 2009/125/EC establishing a framework for the setting of eco-design requirements for energy-related products" – or Ecodesign Directive or ErP Directive for short.
The energy label should permit the end user to compare products easily, enabling them to select energy-efficient products. In contrast to other electrical equipment, the energy classes on the labels of residential ventilation equipment are determined by a calculated parameter, the specific energy consumption (SEC). This value should display the energy-saving potential of the equipment used in kilowatt hours per m² per year.
New requirements for ventilation and air-conditioning
Fans EU 327/2011 (B2B, no label)
• Since 2013, minimum requirements apply for fans above 125 Watts regarding energy efficiency
• From January 1, 2015, these requirements have become significantly more stringent
Central ventilation and air conditioning units EU 1253/2014 (B2B, no label)
• Since January 1, 2016, minimum requirements apply regarding
• fan power consumption and
• heat recovery efficiency
Residential ventilation equipment EU 1253/2014 and 1254/2014 (B2C, label)
• Minimum requirements from January 1, 2016: The units must save at least as much primary energy (electricity and heat) as they use (electricity)
• Minimum requirements from January 1, 2018: The units must save significantly more primary energy than they use – the ventilation heat requirement of the residential building is approximately halved
• Energy efficiency label from A+ to G (see Table)
Air conditioners EU 206/2012 (B2C, label)
• Since January 1, 2013, units with a cooling performance up to 12 kW are classified in energy efficiency classes from A+++ to D
• Units in cooling mode must fulfil at least the requirements of energy efficiency class A