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Energy e cient equipment and appliances

Information kit
5
Energy-consuming products have become essential to
modern life, whether they are computers, light bulbs, TVs
or washing machines. These products make peoples lives
more comfortable and contribute to high standard of
livings, but our reliance on them means that the energy
demand of households accounts for 25% of the total energy
consumed in the EU. However, it also means that there is a
big potential to save energy by introducing more ef cient
equipment. And considering that we are using ever more
gadgets, making them as ef cient as possible should be a
priority.
The most up-to-date technologies and products that are
available on the market can be much more energy ef cient
than older equipment, but many people are unaware of the
diference.
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SMEs
Green public procurement can be a driver for more eco-
innovative companies, as all companies wanting to win
public contracts have to meet the requirements of green
procurement. In the private sector, SMEs in the supply chain
of bigger companies can be asked to provide cleaner and
more energy ef cient products and appliances. In addition,
more companies are adopting the concept of corporate
social responsibility. This means that companies integrate
social and environmental considerations into their economic
operations, on a voluntary basis.
The use of energy ef cient appliances and products by a
company can reduce energy consumption and so lower
its energy bills. There are also market opportunities for
innovative companies in the feld of energy ef cient
products. In addition, energy ef ciency policies can have
a positive impact on a companys image as a responsible
business and be used as a marketing tool.
However, support for smaller businesses is important to
enable them to improve their sustainability, as lack of
human and fnancial resources can often act as a barrier to
them taking up more energy ef cient technologies.
It is also important to help companies that make energy-
using equipment and appliances to develop more energy
ef cient products. Smaller companies should be able
to beneft from the latest innovations and technologies
available to in order to be eco-innovative.
The energy ef ciency action plan published in 2006
puts great emphasis on improving the energy e ciency
of energy-using products.
The Commission promotes a culture of sustainable
consumption and production (SCP). This aims to increase
social and economic development within the carrying
capacity of ecosystems, while decoupling economic growth
from environmental degradation. There are specic initiatives
for the eco-design of energy-using products, eco-labelling,
o ce equipment (the Energy Star scheme), environmental
management and auditing (the EMAS scheme) and green
public procurement.
The eco-design Directive (2005/32/EC), adopted in
2005, provides a framework for setting minimum energy
performance standards for energy-using products within
eco-design requirements. Regarding energy consumption,
it means setting maximum levels of energy consumption
for a given function of a product.
The labelling Directive (92/75 EC) and its eight implementing
directives deal with a wide range of domestic appliances
such as dishwashers, conditioners, electric refrigerators and
freezers, ovens and lightbulbs. The energy e ciency of an
appliance is rated according to a set of energy e ciency
classes from A to G, with A being the most e cient and
G the least e cient. A+ and A++ grades have now been
introduced for some products such as fridges.
Energy Star Regulation (EC No. 2422/2001): O ce
equipment is responsible for a signicant and growing
share of total electricity consumption. The European Energy
Star programme is a voluntary energy-labelling programme
for o ce equipment agreed between the US and the
EU two of the major global markets for o ce products.
The agreement sets common labelling requirements for
information and communication technology equipment in
o ces, such as computers, monitors, printers, fax machines,
copiers, and scanners.
Green public procurement: the Commission published
a handbook on environmental public procurement in
2004, explaining how environmental considerations can
be incorporated into public procurement, together with
concrete examples of environmental tendering by local
authorities in Europe.
The EU, through the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme,
funds projects such as the E-Server, which aims to support
the development of a market for energy e cient servers.
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/projects/doc/
factsheets/e_server.pdf
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What is the EU doing?
The integration of energy e ciency criteria in public procurement
can be a major driver for change. As large energy users with
considerable spending power, public authorities have the
potential to stimulate the market for energy e cient products
and contribute to big energy savings. Authorities, at both national
and regional levels, can take the lead and use energy e cient
equipment and appliances (computers, light bulbs) as well as
making reasonable use of existing energy-using products and
appliances.
Authorities can set an example to the public and show how
easy it is to reduce energy use, and cut their costs. This means
that authorities communicating their new energy habits to the
public is important.
Public authorities should also oer incentives to consumers to
buy energy e cient products such as dishwashers or washing
machines.
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Public authorities
The Bottom up to Kyoto (ButK) project aims to make it
easier for municipalities and regional authorities in new
member states to adopt more energy ef cient public
lighting. As this lighting uses a signifcant proportion of
total energy consumed, the project has the potential to
make considerable CO2 and cost savings.
The project helps to overcome market barriers to more
ef cient lighting. Experts work with authorities to analyse
where savings can be made both in terms of energy
and money and then provide support to implement a
strategy for more ef cient lighting.
Five municipalities are involved in diferent countries
Voru in Estonia, Riga in Latvia, Raciechowice in Poland,
Cluj in Romania and Slovenska-Bistrica in Slovenia. The
initiative started in March 2007 and runs for 36 months.
More information:
http://ec.europa.eu/energy/intelligent/projects/doc/
factsheets/butk.pdf
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Good practice
Ef cient Public lighting
Disclaimer and copyright notice for ManagEnergy information kit
This information kit has been compiled on behalf of the European Commission. The European Commission does not guarantee the accuracy
of the data or information provided, nor does it accept responsibility for any use made thereof.
European Communities, 2008Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
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What is ManagEnergy?
ManagEnergy is an initiative of the European Commissions Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, which is funded by
the Intelligent Energy Europe programme. It aims to support local and regional actions on energy ef ciency and renewable
energies through training workshops and on-line events. In addition, information is provided on case studies, good practice,
European legislation and programmes.
ManagEnergy is also a European network of local and regional energy agencies (LEAs). These agencies promote the
introduction of good energy management practices, support sustainability, provide information and guidance, and ofer
other services depending on local needs.
www.managenergy.net
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Consumers and retailers
It is essential that consumers are aware of the energy e cient
equipment that is already available on the market place. There are
a number of energy labels, but they may not be widely known.
This means that it is important to provide information about
them. One way of doing this is to organise awareness-raising
campaigns aimed at both consumers and retailers.
It is also important that shops increase the visibility of energy
e cient products and appliances to consumers. There is a need
to increase consumer awareness of the real energy use and
running costs of their household appliances.
Information should also be given, through information campaigns,
on how to use more e ciently dierent appliances such as
heating systems, washing machines, low energy lighting or
refrigerators.
The ELAR (Energy Labelling of Household Appliances)
project promoted the commercial benefts of energy
labels to make them more attractive to appliance
manufacturers and retailers in the Czech Republic
changing their perception of them from a legal obligation
into a marketing tool.
A comprehensive communication strategy was adopted
and information material was developed for use in various
campaigns. Leafets, brochures and promotional materials
were distributed and there was widespread coverage in
the media. Surveys noted a signifcant increase in the
awareness of energy labelling.
The project also covered Slovenia, Slovakia and Poland.
More information:
http://www.managenergy.net/download/gp2005.pdf
(page ten)
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Good practice
Promoting energy labels to Czech retailers
and consumers