Brussels, 22 February 2013 – EHPA/EPEE welcome this week’s adoption of the Energy label for heaters by the College of Commissioners. As of 2015, consumers will be able to choose the most efficient heater for their home, based on a single energy label. This label is expected to foster the uptake of renewable heating solutions, and in particular heat pumps.

“With the adoption of the energy label for heaters, the European Commission is sending a very positive and strong signal to citizens and industry in Europe, setting a major milestone towards the achievement of its EU 2020 targets, in particular improving energy efficiency and the use of renewables.” – comment Thomas Nowak, Secretary general of EHPA and Andrea Voigt, from EPEE, jointly.

Indeed, together with the future Ecodesign implementing measure on heaters (ENER Lot 1) and water heaters (ENER Lot 2) , which will be voted on 13 March by Member States; the energy label for both product groups will greatly contribute to substantial energy and CO2 savings. A lower energy demand can also result in significant reductions of EU citizen’s energy bills.

The energy label will indirectly support the development of more energy efficient products and thus contribute to maintaining Europe as a technology leader in this segment. The expected resulting effect for heat pump technology in the market place will secure and create jobs and industrial investment in Europe.
EHPA/EPEE look forward to the entry into force of the energy label for heaters, and the impact of the minimum efficiency requirements from 2015 onwards.

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Notes to the Editor:
About EHPA: EHPA was established in the year 2000 to promote awareness and proper deployment of heat pump technology in the European market place for residential, commercial and industrial applications. EHPA today has 102 members representing the majority of actors in the European Heat Pump Industry.
The association aims to provide technical and economic input to European, national and local authorities in legislative, regulatory and energy efficiency matters. All activities are aimed at overcoming market barriers and dissemination of information in order to speed up market development of heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water production. It is the declared aim of the association to make heat pumps a core technology in the development towards a more energy efficient, RES based, sustainable energy system. For more information: www.ehpa.org

About EPEE: The European Partnership for Energy and the Environment (EPEE) represents the refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump industry in Europe. Founded in the year 2000, EPEE’s membership is composed of 40 member companies and national associations across Europe realising a turnover of over 30 billion Euros and employing more than 200,000 people in Europe.
As an expert association, EPEE is supporting safe, environmentally and economically viable technologies with the objective of promoting a better understanding of the sector in the EU and contributing to the development of effective European policies. For more information: www.epeeglobal.org