How standards can better reflect consumer relevance on the example of range hoods

Panel: 7. Appliances, products, lighting and ICT

This is a peer-reviewed paper.

Authors:
Arno Knieschewski, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing
Anne Simo, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing
Moritz-Caspar Schlegel, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing
Floris Akkerman, Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing
Rainer Stamminger
Arno Knieschewski

Abstract

The EU’s Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations for domestic cooking appliances became legally binding from 2015 onwards. To determine the classes on the energy label, the regulations refer to the European Standards for performance measurements.

The analysis of the standards revealed several drawbacks. On the example of range hoods it is shown how test methods can be improved to be more reliable, give more significant results and support innovation. The standard EN 61591 used for the evaluation of range hoods is composed of: volumetric airflow, odor extraction, effectiveness of the lighting system and grease absorption. Currently, the grease absorption class is obtained by heating up oil and water in a pot, which creates vapor and splashes of grease. In the new test method an atomizer nozzle is used. Consequently the exact amount of atomized oil is known and the ratio of filtered to atomized oil can be measured. Thereby the method is able to take into account bad aerodynamic designs or leaks.

Another advantage is the possibility to assess the energy efficiency of range hoods in terms of the intended effect. At the moment the energy class of range hoods depends on the energy used per volumetric airflow. However, the airflow itself is rather a needed tool in the common working principle of range hoods than a desired condition. This leads to occasions where appliances can produce a high airflow and thus achieve a good energy class without meeting their main purpose of filtering unwanted substances out of the air. The proposed new method enables to alter the classification guideline of the energy label to give more significant and consumer relevant declarations. Furthermore it allows manufacturers to develop innovative grease absorption methods with little airflow.

This example shows that it can be beneficial to review more existing standards in the light of the EU Labelling Directives.