Last chance to snap up a powerful vacuum cleaner
New EU rules ban powerful vacuum cleaners
Vacuum cleaners with motors over 1,600 watts will be banned from 1st September under new EU law.
This means that manufacturers will be prohibited from making and importing cleaners which are over 1,600w.
The average UK vacuum cleaner is 1,800w, but by introducing this legislation the EU hopes to reduce the appliance's impact on climate change.
What's going to happen?
Consumer champion Which? advises keen cleaners to head out and buy a higher wattage vacuum before the law kicks in.
Many of the machines that Which? researchers labelled ‘Best Buys’ are over 1,600w. In fact, five out of seven tested in a recent study were above this wattage. Most renowned Hoover vacuums also fall in to this category, but since July they have been replacing their trademark models with less powerful versions.
Models that will be discontinued after September 1st include the Hoover Spirit TSP2101 (2,100w), Miele 55281 (2,200w) and the Bosch BSG8PRO1 (1,800w).
None of Dyson’s models are affected as they are all below the EU mark.
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New labelling
From the beginning of September, vacuums will be rated from A-G depending on energy efficiency.
The European Commission (EC) welcomes this motion, saying that customers will get better vacuum cleaners.
However, the testing may not be so accurate. The standard check only covers performance on hard floors and carpets along with how much dust is emitted from the vacuum. What's more, most manufacturers only test new and empty vacuums without taking loss of suction into account. This means that they’ll often score themselves higher than an independent testing body would.
Dyson will challenge the rules at the European court of justice over concerns that its flaws will be unhelpful to customers. James Dyson said that there are many engineering aspects other than the size of the machine that haven’t been considered. He fears that strong performing machines will be rated badly which may lead to shoppers opting for a poorer product.
A judgement will be due in December 2015.
Critics have also pointed out that the new labelling system does not measure the impact of used bags and filters on the environment.
Which? argues that this new measure will not be effective. It said that homeowners would simply use less powerful vacuum cleaners for longer periods of time to get the same degree of cleaning as more powerful models.
So hold on to your Hoover while you can, because the restrictions will get even tighter in three years’ time.
From 1st September 2017, a 900w limit will be introduced.
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Will you be running out to buy a vacuum cleaner before September? Let us know in the comments below.
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