What engineers – and others – need to know about the EU Ecodesign Regulation

The second phase of the EU’s Ecodesign Regulation raises the bar for electric motor energy efficiency – and the rest of the world is sure to follow. Daniel Eberli from ABB, a technology leader in electrification and automation, discusses ecodesign in an article on the Engineer Live website. Energy efficiency with ecodesign Energy efficiency … Continue reading What engineers – and others – need to know about the EU Ecodesign Regulation →

New UK research exploring the effect of energy labels on consumer shopping decisions

In autumn 2021 the Behavioural Insight Team (BIT), unofficially known as the “Nudge Unit”, conducted research through experiment, survey and interview to see whether the information on appliances’ energy labels influenced the consumer’s choice of product. The research was undertaken for the UK Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. The experiment examined the difference … Continue reading New UK research exploring the effect of energy labels on consumer shopping decisions →

The cooling conundrum

Rising temperatures are leading to a surge in demand for cooling. But, ironically, the more we rely on energy-intensive air conditioners, the more the planet warms. What are the other options? Natalie Muller and Neil King discuss in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Keeping homes cool on a warming planet In many … Continue reading The cooling conundrum →

European Commission presents new ecodesign rules for electrical appliances in “standby” mode

This week the European Commission adopted new EU rules to reduce the energy consumption of electrical appliances when they are in ‘standby’ mode. The revised rules introduce a number of amendments to the 2008 ecodesign regulation on standby, off mode and networked standby, last updated in 2013, following an extensive consultation exercise and scrutiny from … Continue reading European Commission presents new ecodesign rules for electrical appliances in “standby” mode →

“It’s easier to save energy when you can see the energy you’re using”

In an article in the November/December issue of Energy in Business & Industry magazine, Andrew Warren, Chairman of the British Energy Efficiency Federation, questions quite how successful attempts to use the residential smart metering system to alter demand peaks this winter can possibly be. There is no longer any requirement for an energy company to … Continue reading “It’s easier to save energy when you can see the energy you’re using” →

Heat pumps show there is life beyond gas boilers

Heat pumps and solar thermal systems are keeping users all across Europe well in their comfort zones – physically, financially, and environmentally. The latest Coolproducts analysis reveals that 88% of European users are satisfied with the switch to renewable heating. Heat pumps perform successfully across Europe – New consumer analysis There is life beyond … Continue reading Heat pumps show there is life beyond gas boilers →

How to stay cool – sustainably

Rising temperatures are leading to a surge in demand for cooling. But, ironically, the more we rely on energy-intensive air conditioners, the more the planet warms. Natalie Muller and Neil King discuss the options in an article on the Deutsche Welle website. Climate emergency: Keeping homes cool on a warming planet In many places, … Continue reading How to stay cool – sustainably →

US has monumental task to update energy efficiency standards

Nearly three dozen efficiency standards are overdue for an update, and further delays could undercut Biden’s climate goals. Anna Phillips discusses latest developments in an article on The Washington Post website. Biden faces delays in undoing Trump’s war on efficient dishwashers, dryers and lightbulbs that made him ‘look orange’ Before Donald Trump launched his … Continue reading US has monumental task to update energy efficiency standards →

New EEA report on EU’s progress of phasing down the use of F-gases

The supply and use of climate-warming fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) rose slightly across the European Union and United Kingdom in 2020, according to the latest annual update on the EU’s progress of phasing down the use of F-gases published by the European Environment Agency (EEA) this week. EU remains on track to phase-down use … Continue reading New EEA report on EU’s progress of phasing down the use of F-gases →

Circular economy: no silver bullet but the benefits could be significant

Tim Schauenberg writes on the Deutsche Welle website about the issues relating to moving to a circular economy. What are your views? Circular economy: Could rethinking design transform the world? Some argue that switching to a "circular economy" is crucial when it comes to climate protection and sustainability. But what would it entail? And … Continue reading Circular economy: no silver bullet but the benefits could be significant →