Label for a new heater providing information on energy efficiency, noise level and rated output. © EU Directive
New heating systems are more efficient and come with better labelling
A colour-coded sticker that helps you make informed decisions. In future, the energy efficiency label will help consumers to quickly assess the environmental performance of a heater, making it easier to compare different technologies and select a modern, energy-efficient product. At the same time, the label also has an impact on producers. If customers decide which product to buy based on the information provided on the label, this can boost competition for the most innovative and efficient products, and increase energy efficiency in Europe.
From 26 September 2015 onwards, displaying the well-known, colourful diagram with categories G to A++ will become mandatory for the following products:
- All space heaters that generate heat for a central heating system, such as gas boilers, heat pumps and combined-heat-and-power units
- All combination heaters that also serve as water heaters
- Water heaters, including flow heaters and boilers
- Labelling requirements will also cover hot water storage tanks with a storage volume of up to 500 litres.
Apart from the colourful bars, the label also provides information on rated output and/or energy consumption per year, as well as noise level (in decibels).
Ecodesign: more efficiency, less noise
Apart from the energy labelling requirements that make energy consumption more transparent, the date 26 September also marks the day the new directive on improved ecodesign will become effective. This directive lays out rules for designing space heaters, water heaters and hot water storage tanks in a way that is environmentally friendly. Ecodesign rules will ensure that, apart from a few exceptions, only efficient condensation boilers enter the European market – boilers where waste heat is not simply lost, but can be recovered. Heat pumps, combined-heat-and-power units, and water heaters will also have to comply with minimum energy efficiency standards. Heat pumps will also have to meet noise level requirements. These requirements will be gradually tightened over time. In September 2018, thresholds for nitrogen oxide emissions will be introduced for space heaters and water heaters.
Energy transition in the heating sector – Small changes, big effect
Some 38.2 million homes in Germany have heating facilities. Consequently, improving the energy efficiency of space heaters and water heaters can make a real difference. The European Commission expects the new ecodesign and energy labelling regulations to help reduce primary energy consumption by 20 per cent by 2020, and contribute 25 per cent to the reductions needed to meet the EU 2020 target. Thanks to the new rules, the energy consumption of space heaters and water heaters is to go down by 25.7 per cent by 2020 compared to the baseline year of 2005.
The new rules are part of the European 'top runner approach' for boosting the energy efficiency of products. Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements are to encourage the development of products that are more energy-efficient. Requirements for washing machines, refrigerators, TVs, lighting, and recently vacuum cleaners as well have all been implemented and become well-accepted across the EU. In future, the EU wants to extend minimum energy-efficiency standards to around 50 product groups.
New labels for old boilers from 2016
In addition to the new European rules, the Federal Government has decided to gradually roll out the energy-efficiency label to existing heating systems that are more than 15 years old, starting from 1 January 2016. This means that, in future, the old boiler in your basement will most likely have to carry the energy label, as the average German boiler is 17.6 years old. More than a third of all boilers in Germany are actually more than 20 years old. Heating technicians, chimney sweeps and energy consultants will affix the stickers as part of routine checks of heating boilers. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel underlined the importance of the measure for home owners. "By introducing the free energy efficiency label for old boilers, we want to better inform consumers and help them save energy. The label is to make sure that consumers can asses the condition of their old boiler quickly and in a way that is easy to understand," he said. Informing consumers about the fact that their old basement heating system is consuming huge amounts of energy, might encourage them to think about buying a new and more efficient one, which will drastically reduce their energy bill. A look at the statistics on new heaters shows that not only are people installing boilers that are more efficient, but they also are using different forms of energy than ten years ago (see: direkt finds).