The EC has published the call for evidence for an impact assessment on the review of the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations for air-to-air air conditioners, air-to-air heat pumps, and comfort fans.
The consultation will last until 18 February 2022. The Impact Assessment will assess the following main aspects:
- Update the energy efficiency calculation method for air-to-air conditioners and air-to-air heat pumps to increase comparability between different product types and to achieve more accurate energy efficiency
- Remove the least energy and resource-efficient products from the market.
- Introduce a revised energy label, rescaled from A to G, increasing comparability between different types of air conditioners and heat pumps.
- Develop Ecodesign and Energy Labelling requirements for comfort fans.
- Ensure improved material efficiency requirements e.g. for reparability, design for disassembly, access to spare parts.
Achieving increased comparability
The impact assessment will consider the following main options:
- No EU action except for a rescaling of the energy label (‘business as usual’).
- Voluntary agreement: this option will only be investigated in the event of a suitable industry proposal.
- Energy labelling only: this involves considering various options to improve the present label by generalizing seasonal performance metrics and achieving increased comparability between different air conditioner types. It also involves the creation of an energy label for comfort fans.
- Ecodesign requirements only: this involves considering adopting more representative metrics for single duct and double duct air conditioners, and minimum service values for comfort fans.
- Resource efficiency requirements: availability of spare parts, access to repair and maintenance, information on end-of-life regarding dismantling for material recovery, recycling and disposal.
- A combination of options 2, 3, 4 and 5.
Reversible air conditioners
Under the review of the Energy Labelling Regulation for local space heaters (Regulation No 1186/2015), a further option will be assessed, namely, to have a single energy label for the heating function of reversible air conditioners and local space heaters.
The Eurovent PG-AC might want to reiterate its past positions and/or provide an additional contribution on the considered option of having a single energy label for the heating function of reversible air conditioners and local space heaters. PG-AC members are also invited to participate in the consultation and provide their position.
