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Eco Design ( Energy Related Products ) Directive
Lot 20 – Electric Heating
What is the Eco-Design directive ?
It is a new European regulation relating to Energy Related Products ( ErP )
In essence Lot 20 of the ErP directive requires a reduction in the energy consumption and emissions of space heating products by applying existing technologies without any increase in the combined purchasing and operating costs, so clearly a positive development from an energy saving perspective and ultimately for end users.
What features are required?
Lot 20 requires manufacturers to incorporate several functions into their products. These could include temperature control with day and/or week timers, presence detection, open window detection, adaptive start control and distance control functions to name but a few, meaning products will naturally become more sophisticated and accordingly greater consideration will need to be given to product selection.
The functions mentioned above can be either on the radiator / heater or supplied via remote controls. If the functions are to be offered via separate remote controls, then each product MUST be sold with these controls as part of the product package.
When does it come in to force?
Products need to comply with these new regulations by 1st January 2018
Are Electrorad products ready?
We are adding all the necessary functions as above and all products will be compliant by September 2017 – At least 3 months before the Jan 2018 deadline
What functions will the Electrorad radiators have?
Some functions are already existing and some are being added. All radiators in our ranges have or will have:
Very accurate room thermostat control
7 day / 24 hour timing control
Open window detection
Adaptive start control ( learning when to turn on to achieve optimum comfort )
Distance control – WiFi based app control
We are also working on a function not included in the directive to make our products easier to use – Voice Control! Our radiator controls will soon be compatible with Amazon Alexa meaning you can simply ask Alexa to turn a radiator on or off and change temperatures etc.
Be aware that electric radiators without the features above will not be available for sale after 1st January.
I think we will see many products and maybe manufacturers simply disappear from the market as there is considerable investment, both in money and time to meet with this new directive