Revised working documents on ecodesign and labelling requirements for water heaters, storage tanks, and space and combination heaters were submitted in June 2012. Regulatory Committee will take place 13 March 2013.

The proposed requirements for water heaters, storage tanks, space and combination heaters include provisions for:

• energy efficiency
• storage volume
• sound power level
• nitrogen oxide emissions
• product information

Water heaters and storage tanks

A water heater is defined as a product connected to an external supply of drinking water to generate heat and transfer this water to desired temperature levels. The hot water is typically used for cooking, cleaning, bathing and space heating (and several items in industry).

The scope of the proposed regulation include:

• Water heaters with a rated heat output ≤ 400 kW
• Hot water storage tanks with a storage volume ≤ 2 000 litres.

Exceptions are, among others:

• water heaters specifically designed for using predominantly biomass fuels;
• water heaters using solid fuels;
• water heaters designed for making hot drinks and/or food only;

Storage tanks requirements for standing loss and product information are specified of Annex II, point 2.1.

Space and combination heaters

The scope of the proposed regulation for space and combination heaters include:

• Space heaters and combination heaters with a rated heat output ≤ 400 kW.

Exceptions are, among others:

• heaters specifically designed for using predominantly biomass fuels;
• heaters using solid fuels;
• heaters for drinking or sanitary water;
• heaters for heating and distributing gaseous heat transfer media such as vapour or air;
• cogeneration space heaters with a maximum electrical capacity of 50 kW

Ecodesign requirements are specified in Annex II.

The minimum performance and labelling requirements for boilers and water heaters were discussed in one proposal in Consultation in 2008 (see Lot 1 for information about boilers).