With the EcoDesign Directive, the European Union sets standards for the energy efficiency of domestic ventilation systems for its member states.
What directives does the EU issue for domestic ventilation?
The EcoDesign label for domestic ventilation
Since 01.01.2016, EU legislation has required manufacturers to provide most domestic ventilation appliances with an ecodesign label and provide open information about the appliance’s characteristic values. End users are familiar with labels from televisions or washing machines, for example. Ventilation-specific characteristic values are shown on the labels for domestic ventilation units. The respective label class (A+ to G) indicates how much heating energy an average household can save per year and square meter by using the respective appliance. The label also shows the maximum air volume flow (in m³/h) that the appliance delivers and the maximum noise level indoors (in dB) at maximum volume flow. Manufacturers must also provide additional, so-called information requirements in their product data sheets for all domestic ventilation units available in the EU.
EcoDesign label: A quick overview, but no substitute for professional planning
The labels are a first step towards EU-wide harmonization of laws and guidelines for domestic ventilation appliances. They help end customers to find out about the energy efficiency of an appliance at a glance. However, every building project is different and there are always customer-specific requirements for ventilation systems, which in our opinion are the most important factors when planning and installing ventilation systems. Therefore, although the label provides a quick overview, it can and must never replace professional and customer-oriented planning, as required in Germany by a ventilation concept in accordance with DIN 1946-6.