The ErP Directive
With the implementation of EU regulation no. 813/2013 regarding the ecodesign requirements for heaters and mixed heaters, the requirements for energy labeling (energy consumption) and for the provision of additional product information were set. This regulation introduced the so-called ErP Directive, acronym for “Energy related Products”, thus defining in the rules that manufacturers must comply with in order to place their devices on the market, starting from 26 September 2015.
What are the products involved?
The products affected by the ErP Directive are:
- heating appliances with a nominal heat output of ≤ 70 kW;
- mixed heaters with a rated heat output of ≤ 70 kW;
- sets of heating appliances with a power of ≤ 70 kW, temperature control devices and solar devices;
- sets of mixed heaters with power of ≤ 70 kW, temperature control devices and solar devices.
Why are we talking about it now?
This process actually began in 2007, when the European Union applied the recommendations of the Kyoto Protocol, launching measures for the protection of the climate and the environment, with the ultimate goal of improving the general performance of air conditioning systems in the countries of the European Union, and consequently in Italy.
But only with the arrival of the 65% Ecobonus and 110% Superbonus in Italy, the topic has become truly topical, thanks to the tax deductions from which you can benefit if you choose energy redevelopment or the replacement of winter air conditioning systems (see also Harp Project).
For the deduction to be effective, however, an advanced thermoregulation system belonging to class V, class VI or class VIII must be chosen. For class VII appliances, the deduction is reduced by 50%
Modulating heating appliances
To better understand the classification, it is necessary to specify that with “modulating heating appliance” we mean a heating appliance (eg boiler, electric radiator or fan-coil) capable of varying the thermal power while remaining in continuous operation.
The ErP Classes
The classification does not correspond to an “efficiency rating”, but to a grouping of products with similar operating logics. Let’s see in detail all the classes.
- Class I: on / off room thermostat that controls the on and off operation of a heating appliance. The performance parameters, including the switching differential and the accuracy of the ambient temperature control are determined by the mechanical construction of the thermostat.
- Class II: temperature control unit, intended for use with modulating heating appliances with control of the flow temperature of the heating appliance, which varies the temperature analysis point of the water flow leaving the heating appliance according to the external temperature and the chosen atmospheric compensation curve. The control is carried out by modulating the output from the heating appliance.
- Class III: thermoregulation control unit, intended for use with heating appliances with on / off output with control of the flow temperature of the heating appliance, which varies the temperature analysis point of the water flow leaving the heating appliance according to the outside temperature and the chosen atmospheric compensation curve. The water flow temperature is regulated by controlling the switching of the heating appliance.
- Class IV: Electronic room thermostat with TPI function, intended for use with heaters with on / off output, but which controls both the thermostat cycle rate and the on / off cycle rate of the heater proportionally at the ambient temperature. The TPI control strategy reduces the average water temperature, improves the accuracy of the ambient temperature control and increases the efficiency of the system.
- Class V: modulating electronic room thermostat, intended for use with modulating heating appliances, which varies the temperature of the water flow leaving the heating appliance to depend on the deviation between the measured ambient temperature and the analysis point of the thermostat same. The control is carried out by modulating the output from the heating appliance.
- Class VI: temperature control unit and environmental sensor, intended for use with heating appliances modulating system, with control of the temperature of the flow leaving the heating appliance which varies the temperature of this flow according to the external temperature and the chosen atmospheric compensation curve. An ambient temperature sensor controls the room temperature and adjusts the parallel offset of the compensation curve to improve the habitability of the compartment. The control is carried out by modulating the output from the heating appliance.
- Class VII: temperature control unit and environmental sensor, intended for use with on / off output heaters (non-modulating), with temperature control of the flow leaving the heating appliance, which varies the temperature of this flow according to the external temperature and the chosen atmospheric compensation curve. An ambient temperature sensor controls the room temperature and adjusts the parallel offset of the compensation curve to improve the habitability of the compartment. The water flow temperature is regulated by controlling the switching of the heating appliance.
- Class VIII: environmental temperature control with multiple sensors, intended for use with modulating heaters with electronic control equipped with 3 or more environmental sensors which varies the temperature of the water flow, leaving the heating appliance to depend on the deviation between the aggregate measured ambient temperature and the analysis points of the thermostat itself. The control is carried out by modulating the output from the heating appliance.
IMIT is committed to promoting new technologies of climate comfort, through room thermostats with OpenTherm protocol and a series of products dedicated to renewable energy, to protect the environment and for a more responsible consumption of resources.
If you are undecided, on which system to choose during the renovation phase, to reach the jump of two energy classes required to take advantage of the italian tax breaks, the first advice we give is to contact qualified professionals.
To find out more, Or, browse our site, download our catalog or consult a preview of the instruction manuals of our products for home and office comfort to find the one that best suits you. For further requests, send an email to info@imit.it. Our staff will reply as soon as possible.