Energy efficiency is the main topic on the minds of both manufacturers and installers, as well as the consumer. In EU households, heating and hot water alone account for 79% of total final energy use. These products generate an environmental impact that we all want to reduce.

With so much energy used across the continent, it´s not surprising to see regulations in force to ensure manufacturers comply with the same set of rules to achieve a common objective of a reduction in energy consumption.

Do you know about the ECODESIGN directive and the Lot20 legislation? Delve deeper into the facts that define Lot20 here as Rointe answer your FAQs.

What is the ECODESIGN Directive?

Within the heating industry, not all products have the same level of performance nor are they manufactured to the same efficiency or eco-friendly design criteria.

The ECODESIGN Directive is the European Commission’s legislative change for energy consuming products. Its main aim is to ensure a reduction in energy consumption, by making manufacturers, such as Rointe, produce more energy efficient products. Poorly designed or inefficient products will no longer be available to the market.

Each regulation is more commonly known as a “Lot”. Products that have similar functionality or purpose are grouped together into one “Lot” and each has its own set of specific rules. There are 37 regulations in total, therefore 37 “Lots”.

For Rointe, they are concerned with Lot20 as it applies to solid fuel local space heaters or local space heaters.

What is Lot20?

Lot20 of the ECODESIGN directive concerns local space heaters, including those with solid fuel.

It states that from 1st January 2018, all local space heaters that consume energy (electricity, gas or liquid) with a nominal heat output equal to or greater than 250W, must comply with a minimum energy efficiency standard. Expressed as a percentage, it states that all relevant products must meet at least a 38% seasonal energy efficiency ratio.

What is the deadline?

The 1st January 2018. After this deadline, products that do not meet the Lot20 regulations can no longer be manufactured.

Whom are the regulatory bodies?

The National Measurement and Regulation Office (formally known as the National Measurement Office) carries out the enforcement of Lot20 through product testing and market observation. Any manufacturer found to be in breach of the Lot20 legislation could face legal action and criminal prosecution.

What is the aim of Lot20?

Lot20 aims to reduce the environmental impact of energy consuming products by improving their design and performance.

These requirements also aim to regulate an industry where previously, information and standards may have been blurred or confusing.

The eco-friendly design of heating products and their efficiencies is now graded by one common clear regulatory standard across Europe, the Lot20 regulation.

Which products are affected?

Lot20 affects local space heaters. These include:

• Electric radiators
• Electric towel rails
• Underfloor heating
• Infrared heaters
• Panel heaters
• Storage heaters
• Direct acting heaters
• Portable heaters
• Radiant heaters
• Electric fires
• Gas fires

Do I need to replace my existing products?

If you are a consumer, landlord or housing association, you do not need to change or replace your existing heaters. The Lot20 regulation affects manufacturers only. From 1st January 2018, manufacturers are no longer allowed to design, develop or produce products that do not meet the Lot20 standard. However, products manufactured before this date that are not compliant can still be sold on the market until the stock has cleared.

How will I know a new product I purchase is compliant?

To ensure that consumers can identify compliant products, manufacturers must include a label on the packaging. They must also include certain information on their websites, brochures and instruction manuals that includes:

• Heat output
• Auxiliary electricity consumption
• Type of temperature control (F2 compliance type)
• Any additional features (F3 compliance type)

Rointe have an ECODESIGN badge so their customers can easily identify compliant products on their packaging, website and instruction manuals.

What is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio?

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (or SEER) is a calculation, expressed as a percentage, that all products affected by Lot20 must meet to comply with the regulation.

This value is obtained from an initial value defined in the regulations and by either adding or subtracting by a value that is determined by a series of factors that increase or decrease, based on the product performance.

For all local space heaters (such as electric heating), the minimum value must be equal to or greater than 38%.

What are the compliance criteria?

All electric heaters start with the same initial value of 30%. This is a benchmark from which high efficiency, eco-friendly designed products can be distinguished from their inferior performing competitors.

A series of product performance factors are then applied to each product which award extra percentage points if they are met.

The first factor is based on the type of temperature control that the product employs. Products with a simple control or without a control receive a value of 0%. Products with an interior temperature control and weekly timer, such as Rointe’s next generation heaters, get a value increase of 7%.

The second factor is based on the benefits derived from special functions that specifically improve energy efficiency.

Rointe’s next generation heaters incorporate interior temperature control software with open window detection. They also include a remote control and an adaptable start-up control, all of which adds a further 3% to the initial 30% value that all electric heaters have.

The third and final factor that affects the seasonal energy efficiency ratio is the product energy consumption while in standby mode. Rointe next generation heaters have a standby consumption below the required limit, thus complying with the Lot20 regulations and improving the product’s efficiency.

In summary, Rointe’s next generation heaters would obtain a seasonal energy efficiency ratio value of 40% – well above the minimum required by Lot20 regulations.

What is the compliance criteria for Rointe products?

Rointe’s radiators, towel rails and underfloor heating must meet the following standards.

They must include:

1. Electronic room temperature control with weekly timer
2. One of the following energy saving functions:
a. Distance control option – control from outside the building where the product is located e.g. control via the Rointe Connect app.
b. Open Windows function – temperature reduction when a window is open to save energy. The Rointe OPEN WINDOWS function is activated when the temperature sensor detects a drop of 4ºC from the user determined temperature within a 30 minute time period. Once activated, the product will move into ANTI-FROST mode at either 7ºC or 8ºC dependent on the product range.
c. Adaptive start control – predicts and initiates the optimal start-up of heating to reach the set temperature. Minimum amount of energy used to heat the room to temperature.

Will the price of products increase?

The Lot20 regulations states that the consumption and emission for space heaters must be reduced by applying “existing, non-proprietary technologies” without an increase in the purchasing and operating costs. This means that the initial purchase price may increase but the lifetime running costs will be lower.

Will Brexit affect the UK’s involvement?

No it shouldn’t. The legislation is unlikely to be overturned altogether as no matter the country; energy efficiency is a common goal.

The Lot20 regulations come into force before the UK leaves the EU and trade will be reliant on providing products of a similar standard across the UK and Europe.

How will LOT20 affect my guarantee?

If advertised, guarantees must be upheld by law. All of Rointe’s affected products are compliant and their standard product guarantee still applies.

View their guarantees page here to discover more about the Rointe guarantee.

What is the definition of a “space heater”?

Space heaters (or local heaters) are appliances used to heat a single area in which they are located. They are powered by consuming electricity or a burnable fuel such as gas, propane, fuel oil or wood pellets.

What if I don’t want extra technology?

New or extra technology can be confusing for some customers. However, the extra technology that will now be incorporated in appliances ensures that the product complies with the new minimum energy efficiency standard.

It will contribute to increased energy efficiency and decreased running costs, therefore a positive factor for the consumer and the environment

I’m not sure how LOT20 affects me. Can you help? I´m…

A manufacturer:

• You cannot produce or import non-compliant products from 1st January 2018.

An installer:

• You must check the product you install that are manufactured after 1st January 2018 are compliant. Rointe recommend that every installer checks this as it will give your customers confidence and security that they receive the best quality product.
• It is also an opportunity to recommend smart technologies and ensure maximum efficiency.

A wholesaler:

• Non-compliant products can still be sold until they are cleared. This means from 1st January 2018 the products bought or recommended changes to adhere to the legislation.

A consumer:

• You can be confident that you have a better quality of product using the latest smart technology. This will help keep energy costs to a minimum and increase your control over efficiency, costs and products themselves.
• You do not need to replace your existing heaters, but be aware that non-compliant products can still be sold if they were manufactured before 1st January 2018. Your purchase options will have changed meaning a better future for your home, property and potentially your pocket.

A landlord/housing association:

• Due to the legislation, your property energy ratings may increase due to the improved efficiency of products. Your tenants may notice decreased running costs if a compliant product is installed within the property.
• You do not need to replace your existing heaters, but be aware that non-compliant products can still be sold if they were manufactured before 1st January 2018. Your purchase options will have changed meaning a better future for your property and potentially the pocket.

A contractor:

• You must check the product you purchase or install that are manufactured after 1st January 2018 are compliant. Rointe recommend that every contractor checks this as it will give your customers confidence and security that they have the best quality product.
• It is also an opportunity to recommend smart technologies and ensure maximum efficiency.

I’d still like to talk to someone about how Lot20 affects Rointe. What are your contact details to speak to an expert?

You can visit Rointe’s dedicated website on Lot20 by clicking here.