The new European regulations for heat generators
ErP is the acronym for “ Energy related Products ” (energy-related products) and is the abbreviation that identifies the European ErP Directive 2009/125/CE, defined by the EEC with the aim of reducing the energy consumption of products through eco-compatible design (“eco-design”).
The scope of this European Directive is extremely broad as it has so far affected products such as light bulbs, air conditioners, washing machines, fans, etc. Following the publication in September 2013 of a series of implementing regulations, from 26 September 2015 it will also apply to heating and domestic hot water production products.
Also from the same date, other regulations that will implement the energy labeling of the same product families will become effective. The transitional period between the publication of the regulations and their activation throughout the European Community was necessary to allow the full reception of the contents by companies and market players.
Energy labelling of heating and domestic hot water products
The regulations issued require that all products intended for heating and/or the production of sanitary water, with a nominal thermal power lower than or equal to 70 kW, be placed on the market with an energy label that highlights their efficiency class.
Note: the regulation requires the presence of the energy label for the release of the product from factories to the market. All products previously released, for example present in distribution warehouses, can be regularly marketed even if they do not have an energy label. Different energy labels have been provided based on the use of the generator used: for heating from A++ to G; for the production of sanitary water from A to G.
A new way to guide the consumer
The purpose of energy labels is to allow the consumer to easily identify the efficiency level of a product and to be able to make a homogeneous comparison between products that use different technologies. For products whose transformation efficiency is influenced by external conditions, such as heat pump products, as has been done for air conditioners, the efficiency data is reported for the average climate range.
In addition to product energy labels, European regulations have also provided for the creation of a system label in the case of a system in which several devices, components and controls operate.
This labeling, thanks to the combinations of data from the different elements used in the system, will allow the creation of systems capable of reaching efficiency levels even higher than those of individual generators. The European regulation requires that the system label must be made available by those who supply and/or operate the system (sellers-installers); however, this option is also granted to manufacturers.