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Energy Efficiency Action Plan |
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| › Energy Efficiency Action Plan - Heat Pumps |
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| Background |
On 19 October, 2006, the European Commission (EC) issued this package of 75 measures to provide minimum performance standards for highly energy-intensive industries, such as transport, buildings, energy generation and appliances. The main target is to save 20% of energy by 2020 - on top of achievements by price effects, structural changes and measures already in place.
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The Action Plan is based on the 2006 Green Paper "A European Strategy for Sustainable, Competitive and Secure Energy" and the 2005 Green Paper on Energy Efficiency. Its policies and measures were developed during consultations with stakeholders and approved by Head of States at their high-level meeting in spring 2007.
Once the Action Plan enters into force, it will serve as a basis for policy instruments at national, regional and local level over a six-year period.
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| Impact on Heat Pumps |
Within the Energy Efficiency package, several Priority Actions target the performance of heating equipment. Proposed measures affecting heat pump manufacturers and consumers include:
- Eco-Design Directive: The Action Plan coordinates eco-design requirements – the integration of environmental considerations at the design phase - as well as labelling, incentive, information and rebate schemes. The European Commission has defined priority product groups to become subject to eco-design standards, among them gas, oil and electric water heaters, as well as electric heating appliances, including heat pumps.
- Labelling Directive: Under the Framework Directive on Labelling, the EC will issue two Directives for the energy labelling of gas and electric water heaters. The work will be aligned with the requirements set in the Eco-Design Directive.
- Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD): An amended EPBD will be considered in 2009 to set minimum efficiency standards for new and renovated buildings. The legislation, to be finalized in 2008, is expected to encompass standards for domestic hot water and space heating. In addition, the EU strategy for low-energy / passive houses foresees the replacement of traditional heating/cooling systems with energy-efficient technologies.
- Taxation: The EC will prepare a Green Paper on indirect taxation and review the Energy Tax Directive to facilitate a more targeted use of energy taxation by integrating efficiency considerations and environmental aspects. It will also consider tax credits for producers of energy-efficient appliances and equipment, as well as for consumers purchasing them.
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| Targets |
The EC aims at reducing the direct cost of energy consumption by more than €100 billion and CO2 emissions by 780 million tonnes annually by 2020. This would double the EU reductions needed under the Kyoto Protocol by 2012.
To achieve this, the Action Plan mentions performance ratings, economic incentives, price signals and the education of consumers as appropriate tools. Framework agreements with key external trading partner countries and international organisations, including Brazil, China, India, Japan, Russia and the United States, will complement the set of measures.
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| Official documents |
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| Latest & Next steps |
At present, there are several on-going studies on the eco-design requirements for different product groups. The results will become available in the period 2007-2008.
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