Solid fuel boilers are similar to central heating boilers. Their purpose is to heat multiple rooms by means of the transport of hot water through a plumbing system.
The difference is the input source, which are solid fuels instead of gas, liquid fuels or electric.
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Scope
The following table shows some examples of products in scope and out of scope
| In Scope | Out of Scope |
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Check the complete list in the Regulation.
Ecodesign Requirements
Ecodesign requirements for solid fuel boilers with a rated heat output of 500 kW or less are mandatory from 2020 onwards for all manufacturers and suppliers wishing to sell their products in the EU.
These requirements are also applicable to boilers that are part of packages consisting of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices. The requirements cover energy efficiency and air pollutant emissions.
Energy Label
New solid fuel boilers with a rated heat output of 70 kW or less are labelled on an energy efficiency scale ranging from A+++ (most efficient) to G (least efficient).
Energy labelling rules also apply to packages that include a combination of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices.
The Commission will review the existing rules on energy labelling for solid fuel boilers and launched on 28 September 2023 (with a deadline until 21 December 2023) a public consultation and a call for evidence to seek input from the public and from stakeholders.
| Understanding the Solid Fuel Boiler Energy Label | |
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Packages
Solid fuel boilers include packages. A package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices means a package designed either by manufacturers or by installers containing a solid fuel boiler possibly also containing supplementary heaters, indoor temperature controls and solar thermal panels. Packages in EPREL are offered by manufacturers. Installers can also design packages on the basis of components available in EPREL.
Consult the Packages of Solid Fuel Boilers in EPREL.
Consult Solid Fuel Boilers package components: temperature controls, solar devices.
Highlights
Solid fuel boilers are space heaters that generate heat through the combustion of solid fuels and use a water-based central heating system to distribute the generated heat to multiple rooms.
Efficient solid fuel boilers can save European consumers over €140 million annually by 2030. For example, replacing a conventional solid fuel boiler with a highly efficient solid fuel boiler can save up to €1 050 over the lifetime of the product.
In addition, ecodesign requirements for solid fuel boilers are expected to improve air quality in Europe and reduce related health problems.
Facts & Figures
This graphic shows the estimated sales, stock, energy consumption (primary, electric or fuel), greenhouse gas emissions, consumer expenses and business revenues for years 2010 and 2030. The estimated values inside the graph bars are those from the EIA ECO-scenario, they include the effects of ecodesign and energy labelling measures.
The difference with the business as usual (BAU) scenario without these estimated measures is shown next to the graph bar. These figures indicate the estimated savings obtained due to the measures.
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Product: Solid Fuel Boilers Measures: Regulation (EU) 2015/1187, Regulation (EU) 2015/1189 |
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SALES (x1000 units)  |
STOCK (x1000 units)  |
Electricity (TWh/a)  |
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GHG-EMISSION  |
CONSUMER EXPENSES  |
REVENUES  |
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Expected Savings
The Ecodesign requirements and labelling promote improved product design by manufacturers. This will lead to products with higher energy efficiency.
Total primary energy savings of SFBs due to ecodesign and energy labelling requirements are 22 PJ/a in 2030.
Efficiencies Solid Fuel Boilers with and without Measures
EMISSIONS SAVINGS
In addition to minimum energy efficiency requirements, the regulations also set emission limits. Besides GHG emissions, SFBs emit organic gaseous compounds (OGC), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO). These emissions result from the incomplete combustion of fuel, due to a lack of oxygen or too low combustion temperature. Improved combustion technology can increase energy efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions.
The Ecodesign measures are projected to decrease OGC-emissions from 52 kt/a in 2015 to 45 kt/a in 2030 (-13% vs. no measures), PM-emissions from 40 kt/a to 35 kt/a (-12% vs. no measures), and CO-emissions from 614 kt/a to 540 kt/a (-12% vs. no measures).
Total EU27 Annual CO Emissions for Solid Fuel Boilers with and without Measures
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Useful Links
The best solid fuel boilers on the European Market (2023) | topten.eu
Holzenergie Schweiz (Swiss Label)
Bundesamt für Energie: Biomasse
Energie Schweiz: Holzenergie
Topten Switzerland Advisor Pelletboiler
Umweltzeichen (Austrian label)
Blauer Engel(German label)
Flammes Verte (French label)
Italian label: http://www.certificazioneariapulita.it
Campaign for “awareness heating”: http://www.unicalor.it/calore-natura.html
Suppliers
From 1 April 2017 suppliers placing solid fuel boilers on the market or putting them into service, including those integrated in packages of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices, shall ensure that:
(a) each solid fuel boiler is provided with a printed label in the format and containing the information set out in point 1.1 of Annex III and conforming to the energy efficiency classes set out in Annex II, and each solid fuel boiler intended for use in packages of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices is provided with a second label in the format and containing the information set out in point 2 of Annex III;
(b) an electronic label in the format and containing the information set out in point 1.1 of Annex III and conforming to the energy efficiency classes set out in Annex II is made available to dealers for each solid fuel boiler model;
(c) a product fiche, in accordance with point 1 of Annex IV, is provided for each solid fuel boiler, and a second fiche, in accordance with point 2 of Annex IV, is provided for each solid fuel boiler intended for use in packages of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices;
(d) an electronic product fiche, in accordance with point 1 of Annex IV, shall be made available to dealers for each solid fuel boiler model;
(e) the technical documentation, as set out in point 1 of Annex V, is provided on request to the authorities of the Member States and to the Commission;
(f) any advertisement related to a specific solid fuel boiler model and containing energy-related information or price includes a reference to the energy efficiency class of that model;
(g) any technical promotional material concerning a specific solid fuel boiler model and describing its specific technical parameters includes a reference to the energy efficiency class of that model.
From 26 September 2019 suppliers placing solid fuel boilers on the market or putting them into service, including those integrated in packages of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices, shall ensure that:
(a) each solid fuel boiler is provided with a printed label in the format and containing the information set out in point 1.2 of Annex III and conforming to the energy efficiency classes set out in Annex II;
(b) an electronic label in the format and containing the information set out in point 1.2 of Annex III and conforming to the energy efficiency classes set out in Annex II is made available to dealers for each solid fuel boiler model.
From 1 April 2017 suppliers placing packages of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices on the market or putting them into service shall ensure that:
(a) a printed label in the format and containing the information set out in point 2 of Annex III and conforming to the energy efficiency classes set out in Annex II is provided for each package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices;
(b) an electronic label in the format and containing the information set out in point 2 of Annex III and conforming to the energy efficiency classes set out in Annex II is made available to dealers for each model comprising a package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices;
(c) a product fiche, in accordance with point 2 of Annex IV, is provided for each package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices;
(d) an electronic product fiche, in accordance with point 2 of Annex IV, is made available to dealers for each model comprising a package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices;
(e) the technical documentation, in accordance with point 2 of Annex V, is provided on request to the authorities of the Member States and to the Commission;
(f) any advertisement relating to a specific model comprising a package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices and which contains energy-related information or price includes a reference to the energy efficiency class for that model;
(g) any technical promotional material concerning a specific model comprising a package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices which describes its specific technical parameters includes a reference to the energy efficiency class for that model.
Useful Links
The best solid fuel boilers on the European Market (2023) | topten.eu
Holzenergie Schweiz (Swiss Label)
Bundesamt für Energie: Biomasse
Energie Schweiz: Holzenergie
Topten Switzerland Advisor Pelletboiler
Umweltzeichen (Austrian label)
Blauer Engel(German label)
Flammes Verte (French label)
Italian label: http://www.certificazioneariapulita.it
Campaign for “awareness heating”: http://www.unicalor.it/calore-natura.html
Dealers
Dealers shall ensure that:
(a) each solid fuel boiler bears, at the point of sale, the label provided by suppliers in accordance with Article 3(1) or 3(2) on the outside of the front of the solid fuel boiler, in such a way as to be clearly visible;
(b) solid fuel boilers offered for sale, hire or hire purchase, where the end-user cannot be expected to see the product displayed, are marketed with the information provided by the suppliers in accordance with point 1 of Annex VI, except where the offer is made through the internet, in which case the provisions in Annex VII shall apply;
(c) any advertisement for a specific solid fuel boiler model which contains containing energy-related or price information includes a reference to the energy efficiency class of that model;
(d) any technical promotional material concerning a specific solid fuel boiler model which describes its specific technical parameters includes a reference to the energy efficiency class of that model.
Retailers in packages of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices shall ensure that:
(a) any offer for a specific package includes the energy efficiency class for that package, by displaying on the package the label provided by the supplier in accordance with Article 3(3)(a) and the product fiche provided by the supplier in accordance with Article 3(3)(c), duly filled with the characteristics of that package;
(b) packages of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices offered for sale, hire or hire purchase, where the end-user cannot be expected to see the package displayed, are marketed with the information provided in accordance with point 2 of Annex VI, except where the offer is made through the internet, in which case the provisions in Annex VII shall apply;
(c) any advertisement relating to a specific model comprising a package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar device models and which contains energy-related information or price includes a reference to the energy efficiency class for that model;
(d) any technical promotional material concerning a specific model comprising a package of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices which describes its specific technical parameters includes a reference to the energy efficiency class for that model.
Useful Links
The best solid fuel boilers on the European Market (2023) | topten.eu
Holzenergie Schweiz (Swiss Label)
Bundesamt für Energie: Biomasse
Energie Schweiz: Holzenergie
Topten Switzerland Advisor Pelletboiler
Umweltzeichen (Austrian label)
Blauer Engel(German label)
Flammes Verte (French label)
Campaign for “awareness heating”: http://www.unicalor.it/calore-natura.html
Policy
Ongoing legislative work
Please check the ongoing initiatives on the Have your say portal.
Regulation (EU) 2015/1189 of 28 April 2015 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for solid fuel boilers (Text with EEA relevance). Read more on Delegated Act.
Regulation (EU) 2015/1187 of 27 April 2015 supplementing Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of solid fuel boilers and packages of a solid fuel boiler, supplementary heaters, temperature controls and solar devices (Text with EEA relevance)
Disclaimer: please pay attention to possible updates/changes as indicated in the Official Journal (green dot)