Energy regulations: Transferring lessons from household to commercial appliances

Panel: 9. Products, appliances, ICT

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Maike Hepp, Topten, Switzerland
Eric Bush, Topten, Switzerland
Hélène Rochat, Topten, Switzerland
Nadja Gross, Topten, Switzerland

Abstract

The European energy labelling and ecodesign regulations for household appliances are one of Europe’s greatest success stories for energy efficiency. Almost two decades after the coming into effect of the first regulation for household appliances, similar regulations for equivalent appliances in the business-to-business (B2B) market segment were considered to not be feasible. Arguments from opponents ranged from concerns about content safety and product functionality to claims of customized production that would make labelling impossible.

After conducting comprehensive preparatory studies, the European Commission adopted the first energy label and ecodesign regulations for professional refrigerated storage cabinets that came into effect in 2016, followed by equivalent regulations for commercial refrigerating appliances with a direct sales function that has entered into force on 1 March 2021. Combined, they are expected to save an estimated 52 TWh of annual final energy savings in 2030. For professional refrigerated storage cabinets, the energy efficiency regulations have proven to be significantly more effective than any other previous type of intervention.

Supporting the market transformation are initiatives like Topten; over the last 20 years, Topten has collected experiences with the implementation of diverse rebate schemes, technical innovation and gained a unique insight into the long-term development of best available technologies on the EU and Swiss market.

The paper focuses on four main aspects: (a) overview of BAT product development with comparison of development between household and professional appliances and current saving potentials for professional and commercial refrigeration appliances (b) effectiveness of rebate programmes, esp. with regards to multiplier effects (c) analysis of especially efficient technologies for commercial and professional refrigerators (d) potential of further energy efficiency regulations for product categories in the B2B market such as medicine cabinets. Results show that the introduction of Energy Labelling and Ecodesign regulations into the B2B market has been highly successful, providing investors with data to make informed decisions, triggering market transformation towards a wider product range of more efficient products and realizing great saving potentials. Further potentials can be realized through the next steps in the regulations, including new categories such as refrigerated medicine cabinets and supporting measures such as rebate programmes for most efficient appliances.

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