Energy regulations

Energy regulation is a key priority for everyone, particularly where buildings are concerned. Homes and offices across Europe are subject to strict regulations regarding energy performance, with EU directives EPBD 2002/91/EC and EPBD recast 2010/91/EC requiring certification of energy consumption levels for owners and tenants. As well as this, European member states are on a fixed deadline to create and enforce regulations to meet Energy Efficiency Goals for 2020 (Directive 20/20/20).

There are different national regulations across Europe for improvement of energy performance

There are different national regulations across Europe, with targets for improvement of energy performance agreed in the EU individually for each of the Member States. Despite the varying targets and measurements in each country, the overall trend throughout Europe is to reduce levels of energy consumption.

Examples of renewable energy targets

As you can see below, and on the following pages, some targets are incredibly strict, with the underlying trend that the use of renewable energies and reduction of greenhouse gases has been massively prioritised.

Strict targets have placed significant pressure on building owners to minimise energy use

This has placed significant pressure on building owners to find ways to minimise their energy use, and not just to comply with governmental regulations (Fig. 1.4). Across Europe, the push towards efficiency is affected by a number of other variables. Fossil fuel prices continue to rise, as the dwindling supplies of oil, coal and gas become increasingly valuable resources.

Examples of reduction targets

Our responsibility is to provide the most energyefficient and cost-effective way of creating a comfortable indoor climate

There is growing public concern about the environment, and increasing consumer preference for environmentfriendly products and processes. It is clearly time to re-evaluate the way the heating industry works, as guidelined by Ecodesign directive ErP 2009/125/EC. Our responsibility to end-users is to provide the most energyefficient and cost-effective way to create a comfortable indoor climate. Although a number of different heating solutions are available, there is continuing confusion about which to choose.

In order for end-users installers and planners to make an informed choice, it is important that accurate information on heating solutions is made available. As of the use of low temperature central heating systems continues to grow, Purmo has created this guide to explain the growing role that radiators have to play in the heating technology industry today.

Innovation

Reducing the water content and placing the fins in contact with the hotter channels has increased thermal output

Radiators have come a long way from the bulky column designs of 40 years ago (Fig. 1.2). The early steel panel forms had a plane panel structure and high water content (A). Next came the introduction of convector fins between the water channels, increasing their output (B). Over the years, it was discovered that the thermal output could be increased by reducing the water content and placing the fins in contact with the hotter channels (C). It wasn’t until the channels were flattened, in the hexagonal optimized form illustrated here, that the contact surface area was maximised and heat output fully optimized (D).

Up to 87% better

With today’s designs, the material efficiency is up to 87% more efficient than in traditional models

Computer simulation has also helped to significantly improve energy efficiency in recent years: optimising the flow of heating water through the radiator, heat transmission to the convector fins, and calculating the optimum radiant and convected heat to the room. With today’s designs the material efficiency is up to 87% better than in traditional models, yet many people still hold on to an outdated image of radiators that was surpassed decades ago (Fig. 1.3)