EU to ban Powerful Vacuum Cleaners

[21C101]

As of 1st September 2014 any vacuum cleaner that uses more than 1600 Watts is to be banned (to limit carbon dioxide emissions it appears)As of 2017, 900 watts will be the maximum. Which, the consumers association, has now advised people to buy one before the end of the month when most of the best vacuum cleaners will be withdrawn. Five out of seven of their best buys will be banned.

"The consumer group argues that the move is self-defeating – claiming that householders would simply use the less powerful models for longer to achieve the same degree of cleaning.

The move has also angered manufacturers who agree the move will do nothing to make cleaners more environmentally friendly and will simply reduce efficiency in the home"

Apparently the official tests are carried out on new and empty vacuum cleaners and don't take into account loss of suction as the container fills! My own vacuum cleaner uses 2400 Watts, nearly three times the 900 watts that will be allowed in 2017. Up until now there was no regulation of vacuum cleaners (other than electrical safety), I really can't see what business it is of the state, let alone the EU, to interfere in this way.

I also suspect that powerful industrial vaccum cleaners will be availbable in the same way that you can still buy 150 watt "rough service" incandescent light bulbs. Fargle must be overjoyed, the EU seems to have some sort of death wish.


http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/21/anger-as-eu-bans-most-powerful-vacuum-cleaners

 

[Trog]

Lets see less powerful vacuum cleaner does not work as well, so cleaning takes longer, or has to be done more often. In winter the power used becomes heat and gets a second use as household warmth, so less power/gas goes directly into heating without doing something useful first.

 

[21C101]

Lets see less powerful vacuum cleaner does not work as well, so cleaning takes longer, or has to be done more often. In winter the power used becomes heat and gets a second use as household warmth, so less power/gas goes directly into heating without doing something useful first.

The consumers association make your first point in the article.

Interestingly the EU directive (2013/666) states "Wet, wet and dry, robot, industrial, central and battery operated vacuum cleaners and floor polishers and outdoor vacuums have particular characteristics and should therefore be exempted from the scope of this Regulation..

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R0666&qid=1408653112401&from=EN

The definitions state:

‘wet and dry vacuum cleaner’ means a vacuum cleaner designed to remove a volume of more than 2,5 litres, of liquid, in combination with the functionality of a dry vacuum cleaner;t

Industrial vacuum cleaner’ means a vacuum cleaner designed to be part of a production process, designed for removing hazardous material, designed for removing heavy dust from building, foundry, mining or food industry, part of an industrial machine or tool and/or a
commercial vacuum cleaner with a head width exceeding 0,50 m;"


I suspect we will see a lot of wet and dry vacuum cleaners advertised, also industrial vacuum cleaners which are commerical vacuum cleaners with heads wider than 0.5m which conveniently have the same type of detachable head attachment as a normal size vacuum cleaner......

 

[455driver]

Isnt it about time we told these morons to fu (go away) and do something useful instead of changing things simply because they can!
How much did it cost (in wages, electricity, travelling etc) for them to come up with this frankly ridiculous decision?

 

[Kite159]

More EU waste, sadly with the less powerful vacuums it will take longer to clean it up.

They should go back and ruling on more important issues such as what brand of biscuits should they have

 

[SS4]

Isnt it about time we told these morons to fu (go away) and do something useful instead of changing things simply because they can!

Like reducing mobile tariffs abroad?Or introducing a common phone charger? Sanctions against Russian aggression?

I hope this will force an upturn in efficiency (lightbulbs are better with incandescent ones largely banned) and I suspect industry told them to fu hence legislation.

Just what does this country have against the EU? Le Monde and Deutsche Welle don't give it a mention

 

[ainsworth74]

I'm unclear as to precisely why it's any business of the EU what kind of vacuum clear I or anyone else wish to purchase as long as it complies with safety regulations (which I have no problem with as they are, you know, useful)?

 

[starrymarkb]

Surely it's up to the Manufacturers? Given that Dyson's are all under 1600W but still suck pretty well maybe the manufacturers don't want to invest in the R&D to suck more with less grunt.

Dyson are complaining about the EU's Eco Labeling as it doesn't favour their products (by testing again when the Vac is full!)

 

[NSEFAN]

The EU mandates things such as PSU efficiency for consumer goods, with efficiency limits gradually creeping up each year. They also have rules on standby power too. The estimated energy savings is in the order of Terawatt-Hours since the legislation was introduced. These rules force manufacturers to up their game and make more energy efficient products, which is perhaps the aim of these new rules?

 

[Harpers Tate]

Lets see less powerful vacuum cleaner does not work as well, so cleaning takes longer, or has to be done more often. In winter the power used becomes heat and gets a second use as household warmth, so less power/gas goes directly into heating without doing something useful first.

The second point here is one that is just about always overlooked in yet another classic case of not seeing the full picture.

In the UK there are - what - a couple of months of the year or so, when we feel the need to COOL our homes whether by leaving windows open or using airconditioners. The rest of the time we either enjoy the latent heat levels, or we actually heat. Which depends simply on how warm it is without adding heat.

Any appliance - your old TV, vacuum cleaner, "inefficient" lightbulb, whatever - that "wastes" power does so by making excess heat. Power NEVER simply disappears; it cannot. Heat is always the by-product.

And so for the remaining 10 months or so of the year, any "waste" energy is in fact consumed making heat for our homes; heat that we actually use or enjoy; heat that we would have to make by other means were it not for these appliances.

And so the "green" savings being touted here are, in reality, only less than 20% of the levels being claimed, as, for over 80% of the year, there is in fact no waste at all - merely a shift in balance.

Of course, if you are outside (valeting the car, for example) then none of this applies. But for interior use.....

 

[Oswyntail]

....Just what does this country have against the EU? Le Monde and Deutsche Welle don't give it a mention

Most European countries have a historical tradition of absolutist rule, so "directives" are part of their culture - you may not do anything unless it is permitted. The UK has always been the other way round - anything is permitted until it is forbidden - which is why controlling directives are a "big thing". Even if, like this one, they are minor, and sensible.

 

[radamfi]

The second point here is one that is just about always overlooked in yet another classic case of not seeing the full picture.

In the UK there are - what - a couple of months of the year or so, when we feel the need to COOL our homes whether by leaving windows open or using airconditioners. The rest of the time we either enjoy the latent heat levels, or we actually heat. Which depends simply on how warm it is without adding heat.

Any appliance - your old TV, vacuum cleaner, "inefficient" lightbulb, whatever - that "wastes" power does so by making excess heat. Power NEVER simply disappears; it cannot. Heat is always the by-product.

And so for the remaining 10 months or so of the year, any "waste" energy is in fact consumed making heat for our homes; heat that we actually use or enjoy; heat that we would have to make by other means were it not for these appliances.

And so the "green" savings being touted here are, in reality, only less than 20% of the levels being claimed, as, for over 80% of the year, there is in fact no waste at all - merely a shift in balance.

Of course, if you are outside (valeting the car, for example) then none of this applies. But for interior use.....

Compared to gas central heating or night storage heating, using daytime electricity is an expensive and less green way of heating your home.

A lot of people vacuum their home during the middle of the day, when heating is less likely to be needed. Also a lot of people have their heating on for less than 10 months of the year. In the south of England generally from October to April. In Spain hardly at all, if ever.

 

[Emyr]

My Dyson DC02 works beautifully, despite its age.

Choose well, buy once.

 

[Wyvern]

Like mine.

Making things to last (and repairable) is one good way to protect the environment.

(Incidentally I was intrigued to find Brita would send me a new lid free of charge for my filter when the battery went down)

 

[Gemz91]

Another reason to be out of the EU!

 

[jon0844]

The EU mandates things such as PSU efficiency for consumer goods, with efficiency limits gradually creeping up each year. They also have rules on standby power too. The estimated energy savings is in the order of Terawatt-Hours since the legislation was introduced. These rules force manufacturers to up their game and make more energy efficient products, which is perhaps the aim of these new rules?

From a Telegraph article in 2010 (so while some articles are saying 'only 10 days to buy a vacuum cleaner' as if the EU only decided this week, it's been known about for ages and the whole industry got plenty of warning) this was written:

James Dyson gave the European Commission's proposals a cautious welcome but added that developing new technology required to improve efficiency can take years.
He said: "Bigger motors don't equal better performance. In fact they symbolise outmoded ineffective design.
"Breakthrough technology takes time to develop. Our engineers have spent a decade developing highly efficient digital motors."
Marlene Holzner, energy spokesman for the EC, said: "Technology is a rapidly developing and we have seen in other areas that it is capable of reducing energy while keeping all the functions and performance the same, if not improving them."
Paul Pearce, technical director of the national carpet cleaning association, said: "The performance of a vacuum cleaner has more to do with airflow than with the power rating, so it should be possible to reduce the power without affecting the cleaning perforance."

I have no doubt we're not going to suddenly end up with vacuum cleaners that can't pick up dirt, although some manufacturers happy to use ancient designs and just re-hash them to make easy money will be caught out, or just make a shed load of them before the ban to sell to people who will buy them as a protest against the EU.

No doubt some people will bulk buy vacuum cleaners to go with the hundreds of 100 watt bulbs they bought.

(Funny thing is the Telegraph seems almost unaware of what it said years ago. In 2010 it acknowledges that improved design will likely mean it's not an issue, but now it's all about how these new 'eco' vacuum cleaners will be crap, not work as well and need to be used for longer and therefore save no energy).

And on another forum, it's just another excuse for anti-EU rants and claims that this issue is THE one to make us finally leave. Yes, because we'd all ditch the EU over something as trivial as this... :cry:

 

[SS4]

Another reason to be out of the EU!

:roll:

 

[maniacmartin]

I think when the regulations come in, we should just suck it up and see.

 

[meridian2]

Just what does this country have against the EU? Le Monde and Deutsche Welle don't give it a mention

Well let's see: they bring in jobs for people in the car business, money for the bankers and oh, free immigration and travel for people across member states.

This is just a petty measure to ensure the likes of James Dyson get a huge windfall thanks to the creation of jobs due to the forced design changes, whilst those at the bottom of the pile have to put up with less efficient vacuum cleaners. Good for Joe Bloggs who gets more work, but then suddenly realises he's fallen on top of a very large double-edged sword.

The EU in this country: the rich get richer, the poor get poorer.

 

[Emyr]

If Dyson can bring a no-frills model to the market they'll make a killing.

 

[21C101]

Most European countries have a historical tradition of absolutist rule, so "directives" are part of their culture - you may not do anything unless it is permitted. The UK has always been the other way round - anything is permitted until it is forbidden - which is why controlling directives are a "big thing". Even if, like this one, they are minor, and sensible.

There is a lot of truth in what you say (although I don't agree that this directive is proportionate or sensible - it is politically motivated by the environmentalist fanatics and I fear not compatible with the laws of physics)

If this was caused by a UK Parliament originating law I still wouldn't like it, but the people of the UK have the option of ejecting them and voting in someone to repeal it. However the UK only get 7% of the MPs in the European Parliament so we are helpless.

Rightly or wrongly I would rather be ruled by a bad UK government that the people of the UK can throw out in an election, than by a good foreign government that the people of the UK cannot throw out.

If I was to be in any such supranational organisation I would want it to be with countries like Australia where there is a common culture, many families with people in both and common system of law.

Therefore in the situation we are in the only democratic thing I can do is to vote for canditates who will vote to leave the EU, which is increasingly occuring.

 

[Trog]

Compared to gas central heating or night storage heating, using daytime electricity is an expensive and less green way of heating your home.

A lot of people vacuum their home during the middle of the day, when heating is less likely to be needed. Also a lot of people have their heating on for less than 10 months of the year. In the south of England generally from October to April. In Spain hardly at all, if ever.

But it becomes a lot more green if you are using the power twice by making it work household equipment, then enjoying the 'waste' heat.

As for running the heating my wife feels the cold and is already running the heating mornings and evenings.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I hope this will force an upturn in efficiency (lightbulbs are better with incandescent ones largely banned) and I suspect industry told them to fu hence legislation.

Being a bit older my eyes are not as good as they were and I find the energy saving bulbs are too dim, even when using ones rated as being equal to a given wattage of tungsten bulb. They are OK for background use in hallways bedrooms and lofts, but are useless if you want to read. So I end up with background energy saving and a halogen spot bulb. Then there is the fact that they contain Mercury very green.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Switch to laminate flooring.

 

[radamfi]

But it becomes a lot more green if you are using the power twice by making it work household equipment, then enjoying the 'waste' heat.

But if you used more efficient equipment that generates less heat, and turned up central heating to compensate, that would be greener and give you cheaper bills.

Being a bit older my eyes are not as good as they were and I find the energy saving bulbs are too dim, even when using ones rated as being equal to a given wattage of tungsten bulb. They are OK for background use in hallways bedrooms and lofts, but are useless if you want to read. So I end up with background energy saving and a halogen spot bulb. Then there is the fact that they contain Mercury very green.

Get LED bulbs. More expensive but without the drawbacks of fluorescent bulbs.

 

[starrymarkb]

Being a bit older my eyes are not as good as they were and I find the energy saving bulbs are too dim, even when using ones rated as being equal to a given wattage of tungsten bulb. They are OK for background use in hallways bedrooms and lofts, but are useless if you want to read. So I end up with background energy saving and a halogen spot bulb. Then there is the fact that they contain Mercury very green.

I'm switching to LED

 

[Trog]

Get LED bulbs. More expensive but without the drawbacks of fluorescent bulbs.

Getting there but still not as good as halogen yet and are limited in the bulb shapes available. As you say the good ones are expensive, although their efficiency and long life do mitigate that one.

 

[jon0844]

An LED bulb can be any shape. They're only made bulb shape because that's what people expect.

Philips and others have come up with some different designs. Obviously still the same fitting, but even that you could argue could be changed in the future.

 

[21C101]

An LED bulb can be any shape. They're only made bulb shape because that's what people expect.

Philips and others have come up with some different designs. Obviously still the same fitting, but even that you could argue could be changed in the future.

I've got some LED bulbs by TP24 and look like a opaque Golf Ball bulbs. They are 4W and as bright as a 40w incandescent.

Much better quality than compact flourescent, no flicker and no dimming as they get older. Cost me about £8-9 though (now £5.50 on their website) but over the lifetime I will save more as they use less than half the power of a compact flourescent.

 

[DownSouth]

I've got some LED bulbs by TP24 and look like a opaque Golf Ball bulbs. They are 4W and as bright as a 40w incandescent.

Much better quality than compact flourescent, no flicker and no dimming as they get older. Cost me about £8-9 though (now £5.50 on their website) but over the lifetime I will save more as they use less than half the power of a compact flourescent.

You should also save thanks to the longer lifetime before they require replacement.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I thought this was a very late April Fool. A bit like the lightbulbs they wanted to get rid of.