Grundfos and the European pump trade launch energy labelling scheme

Most people have gradually become very aware of the energy consumption when they choose domestic appliances and electric bulbs. Among other things the EU rules on energy labelling have greatly influenced consumer preferences. But very few people realize that circulator pumps for water and heating in private households and commercial buildings are likely to consume far more energy than refrigerators.

Now, however, the energy consumption of circulator pumps is made visible. In the future, a new energy labelling scheme may be used as a guide when European house owners have to choose circulator pumps. There are 120 million such pumps in Europe, and every year they consume as much energy as all the washing machines in Europe put together – or more than the total annual energy consumption of the country of Denmark.

The new energy labelling scheme will shift focus to pumps that work only when it is necessary and with the required power. Only a few pumps will achieve the optimal category A energy label. The traditional circulator pump that is installed in millions of European homes and commercial buildings will be placed in category E, because this pump type runs at a fixed speed 24 hours a day – irrespective of the heat consumption.

This year, Grundfos will launch a series of category A circulator pumps.

Apart from Grundfos, the Danish pump manufacturer Smedegaard, Wilo from Germany and Circulating Pumps from England have signed the agreement. Together the four companies cover approx. 80 per cent of the European market for circulator pumps for heating.

The labelling scheme applies to the entire EU. Creating it has not been a simple task as requirements and traditions for heating vary considerably among the European countries. It has taken four years to develop the calculation methods that determine whether a pump is placed in one category or the other.