EU energy efficiency regulations

HA! I came here to post exactly the same article!

In  answer to your question re. Naim, I think it's easier for us, cause our kit does not have a standby switch, so Naim could argue that when it's off, it's off. Maybe the wording in the manuals would change not to 'suggest' what could be seen as wasteful practices (but everybody would still do it!)

But... if regulations actually limit the amount of energy used by appliances such as audio equipment, we would be screwed. They could well apply a tax on energy inefficiency above certain threshold, just like they do on cars' CO2 emission.

Regardless of how it's enforced, regulation and taxation on energy consumption is inevitable 

First thing that springs to mind is the BBC don't take a lot of care to ensure there web and news output is acurarate. Probably a good idea to check the facts elseware.

Secondly, the way I read it, only internet connected appliances are effected.

Here

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/eff...odesign_measures.pdf

and here

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise...-business/ecodesign/

Yes, only internet connected devices are affected.  For now.  Recall that in the UK they introduced legislation last year which limited the power of vacuum cleaners in an attempt to save energy.

Naim equipment doesn't have a standby mode but what if legislation was brought in that made it mandatory?  They would then be forced to do this.

Mandatory to make stand by mandatory? I thought stand-by was the baddie!

What is funny is that for an global efficiency point of view, if you include in the balance the room heating of the room where electrical power equipment are then the heat is not waste but helps to keep the room temperature (of course not in hot summer, but then you probably have switched on the conditioner that wipe out any efficiency regarding few watt used in standby by Naim gears).

In large scale co- or tri-generation is seen as a progress, sometimes I think rules are wrote by... Well is only the first day of the year 

Its got nothing to do with internet connected appliances, Graham. read the list of products covered:

Clothes dryers

Dish washing machines

Cooking:

Electric ovens

Electric hot plates

Microwave ovens

Toasters

Fryers

and so on. Including:

Consumer equipment

Radio sets

Television sets

Videocameras

Video recorders

Hi-fi recorders

Audio amplifiers

Home theatre systems

Musical instruments

And other equipment for the purpose of recording or reproducing sound or images, including signals or other technologies for the distribution of sound and image other than by telecommunications

Which most definitely includes everything Naim ships, methinks. 

I must say that I think this is very good news.

For those who insist on wasting finite resources by running electrically powered machines when not in use - at a cost to the future generations - they will soon be stopped from going so. Brilliant. I can stop making the point. For once the Law-makers have come up with a useful and apparently necessary new law. 

Of course there are amplifier designs than do not require to run all the time to perform at their best, but these are rather newer designs than the current generation of Naim amps.

I believe that wasting finite resources should be regarded as being as unacceptable as drink driving, for example. I hope that this new law starts a trend in attitude towatrds that position. It is not so much a question of what a person can afford or free choice, but reducing carbon emissions, and preserving resources and the environment for future generations ...

Waste is selfish and unjustifiable ...

However it is my experience that turning off when not in use makes no significant difference to my listening pleasure, so I do turn off ...

ATB from George

Absolutely. These funny Frenchies, with their poncy wine and their weird food, and those Germans whose country is incapable of making anything, what do they know? Pull up the barricades. Vote UKIP. Keep those stereos burning.

There is a funny thing about what might happen if the UK decides to leave the EU.

There are two countries that are in compliance with EU regulations, but are not members. Switzerland and Norway. If the UK wants to continue to trade with the EU [in the event of deciding to leave formal membership]  then it will have to remain compliant on safety and environmental issues.

In which case this Law will apply whether we want it to or not. Otherwise, kiss goodbye to selling any non-compliant electronic goods into one of the largest markets in the World. 

I think people over-simplify what leaving the EU would mean.

ATB from George

Naim, now being a French capitalised company, will inevitably bow to the requirements of the EU in its production, and there will not be a two version system of production. One wasteful one for the home market and one compliant one for customers across the Channel in EU member states.

ATB from George

Simple. Trade, exports and employment.

All things that the UK needs to increase, not cut down on - even if we misguidedly leave the EU.

ATB from George

As usual, the politicians and environmental fruit-cases are incapable of looking at the big picture IMHO.

How much energy is USED in order to create music ? To store it, to reproduce it live, or via electrical hifi systems. If we don't want to USE energy for musical entertainment, then simply SHUT UP. If we want to enjoy musical entertainment with the minimal USE of energy, my guess is that we should enjoy quiet family sing-songs whilst the embers of our fire die down in the cave we live in.

Otherwise, look at the big picture. Assume, for a moment, that a "cold" Statement system sounds as good as a "warm" 500 System. In George's world, we would all be forced to buy Statements in order to enjoy replicated music as we currently know it. Is this, in overall terms, more environmentally friendly than our current use of resources ?

In the "big picture", what is the overall use of energy in the manufacture, maintenance, repair, enhancement and disposal of hifi kit ? is it 10% of global energy, 0.1% ? Is somebody able to provide reliable information? What is the NET difference in the use of global energy between leaving kit powered up and switching on/off (including allowance for secondary heating effects, upgrading to regain existing enjoyment levels etc).

Personally, I think we are pissing in the proverbial wind. But without reliable facts, I accept I could be wrong.

Cheers, Don

(Who is just about to go out for an afternoon walk in -20 degrees C from a well-insulated house with an internal temperature of 20 degrees C.)

Dear Don, 

I am not for forcing anyone to buy anything.

But what I am in favour of is legislation to prevent waste of finite resources [when subsequently used, as well as during manufacture] of all consumer electrical and electronic goods. Not just replay, but all consumer electronic and electrical items.I consider this along the [admirable] lines of outlawing drinking and driving, as well as smoking in public places and so forth. It will take legislation and tight enforcement to bring it about, but that is why we have government. Sometimes the greater welfare of all society is more important than what individuals might traditional do and continue to wish to do.

I know that there are modern replay systems that work admirably from cold, and if Naim wants to stay in business then it had better start to catch up and make designs that can also do this. Otherwise Naim will fail as a company, which I guess is something none of us here would welcome.

ATB from George

PS: I don't think we are discussing stopping people re-playing music in the home, or attending concerts and so forth, so much as preventing waste from unused replay systems as well apparently as a whole raft of other consumer electronics. I see that as not merely admirable, morally correct, and also common sense, but a mark of progress in a changing World.

Jon

What exactly is the list above.

Is it the appliances detailed in the "Establishment of the Working Plan 2012-2014 under the Ecodesign Directive" (See Alonso's second link).

I've been told by somebody who knows a little about the workings of the EU, that their scientists are evaluating these products, calculating what savings can be made at what cost and inconvenience.

It doesn't seem likely the EU will be legislating to put a toaster on standby when not in use.

Can you provide a link to an EU document that proves these items will be required to go into standby.

This is not a problem folks.  So may audiophiles are fuddy duddy middle aged conservatives (Even the lefties amongst you).   Gees Guys.  Get a grip. :-)   i.e.  Take a step back and look at yourself.  As someone said above, its a new year, great moment for some self review.

i leave my DAC on but its in part because the darn XPS2 blows a fuse if i turn it off.  Frankly, this is poor design by Naim.  My car doesn't blow fuses when i switch it off/on.......and its French by design and was made in the UK.  :-)

What was the DAC flavour of the month in 2014?  The Hugo.  Battery powered and ultra low energy consumption providing superior performance.  It can be done and there is no reason why Naim shouldn't be striving for better sound, better reliability and better energy efficiency.   They are clearly not mutually exclusive.

That being said, efficiency should be at all levels and Naim should be praised for building gear that you don't just throw away after 12 months.  This is wasteful just as much as running 24  7 can be wasteful.

I remember there was a fair old ruckus (including on this very forum, with much whingeing and gnashing of teeth) in 2008/9 when the old incandescent light bulbs were phased out by the EU. Who misses them now?

As a result of the legislation, lightbulb technology - especially LEDs and MILs - has developed swiftly and I'd say that the latest bulbs are not only vastly more energy-efficient than the old incandescent type, but of equal quality.

I'm sure Naim and the rest will find ways to work around or with any legislation. And there's always the S/H market.

Don

Take a look at the "full text of the working plan" pdf in the link below. (also in Alonso's link).

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise...ng-plan/index_en.htm

This is the beginning of the introduction.

Ecodesign, together with energy labelling1, is widely recognised as one of the most effective
policy tools in the area of energy efficiency. Ecodesign aims at improving the energy and
environmental performance of products throughout their life cycle (raw material selection and
use; manufacturing; packaging, transport and distribution; installation and maintenance; use;
and end-of-life) by systematically integrating environmental aspects at the earliest stage of
product design. Ecodesign is one of the most effective ways to enhance security of energy
supply and to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

Dear Kevin,

You highlight exactly why sometimes uncomfortable legislation that modifies behaviour is important for the greater good, not just of society in general, but also future generations.

Thanks.

ATB from George

I would say that the aims reported here are not only admirable, but utterly necessary. Even morally compelling.

ATB from George

Why trivialise an important thread with a falsely emotive and half-hearted attempt at humour?

ATB from George

Agreed 100% George - although it was widely condemned at the time by the usual suspects in the media and elsewhere, the lightbulb legislation gave Philips, Osram, GE and the rest the incentive to develop and improve technology. Without that incentive they would have been content to carry on churning out - because they were profiltable -  old inefficient bulbs that converted less than 5% of the electricity they consumed into light. In the 21st century that is just not acceptable.

Rather than just writing off this kind of legislation as "meddling" I think we should be welcoming it, as a spur to everyone upping their game and hopefully coming up with some exciting new technology.