If you’ve been searching for an electric radiator, heating element or electric heated towel rail, you may have come across the term Lot 20 and wondered what it means.
So, to make things clearer for you, our handy guide explains everything you need to know about the EcoDesign Directive legislation Lot 20, and the way it affects you and the purchases you make.
What is Lot 20?
Lot 20 is a recent EU legislation designed to remove inefficient technologies and reduce the energy used by products that heat our homes.
Removing these inefficient technologies will help the UK to achieve its overall carbon reduction targets and make for much cleaner and more efficient home heating. An efficient home heating system will also help you save money on energy bills.
Under the Lot 20 legislation, all local space heaters must meet a minimum efficiency rating, so that eventually, all manually and poorly controlled heating products are removed from the market.
For example, an old storage heater with a basic on/off switch and an unreliable thermostat will score low on the efficiency rating scale, whereas the latest heating products and smart thermostats are going to give a much higher score. Good news for both you and the environment!
New electric heating items must meet minimum standards. Electric heaters sold into the UK will be given an efficiency rating of at least 30%. Electric radiators, like the ones available at BigBathroomShop, will be set at 38%.
What products are affected by Lot 20?
All space heaters manufactured for sale in the EU which use electricity, gas or liquid fuels, must comply with a minimum efficiency standard.
Lot 20 affects a range of heating products including:
- Storage heaters
- Direct acting heaters – panel heaters and electric radiators
- Portable heaters
- Radiant heaters
- Electric and gas fires
- Gas fires
- Underfloor heating
- Infra-red heaters
Lot 20 does not affect the following products:
- Local space heaters that use a vapour compression cycle
- Local space heaters that are for outside use only
- Sauna stoves
- Slave heaters
- Towel rails
- Frost protection heaters
- Air curtains
When buying a heating product, make sure to check it’s the latest design and not an end of the line item that most likely won’t be compliant.
Do I need to replace my existing heating products?
No, your existing, non-compliant heating products do not need to be replaced. You just need to be aware that non-compliant products can no longer be manufactured, so there is no need to review your home’s heating.
All that’s different is the products that are available to you if you are looking to make home improvements in the future.
Putting a stop to the manufacture of inefficient heating items ensures they will be gradually removed from the market.
Once old heating items s no longer work, they can only be replaced by more efficient products. If you’re concerned that newer, more efficient products will be more expensive, then don’t be. The Lot 20 legislation shouldn’t affect the functionality or the price of space heaters, so don’t panic!
For more information about Lot 20, visit the Lot 20 website.
Although this is a European legislation, the UK must still comply with Lot 20, Brexit or no Brexit.
John has a background in sports journalism, and lists content writing amongst his primary passions. He provides expert bathroom trends commentary and analysis, as well as offering meticulously researched answers to the most frequently asked bathroom posers.
