Lot 20 FAQ

What is EcoDesign Lot 20?

The EcoDesign Directive is an EU project which aims to reduce the amount of energy we use by 20% before the end of 2020. To do this, they’re enforcing strict new energy efficiency standards across every new electrical appliance. As you can imagine, this covers thousands of products, so to make things a bit easier to understand these laws are divided into different sections, known as “Lots”. Lot 20 is the one that governs electric heaters.

You might also see it referred to as ERP (which stands for Energy-Related Products), European EcoDesign Directive, or ERP Lot 20. It all means the same thing.

Which Products Are Affected?

Every electric local space heater manufactured after 1st January 2018 must be ERP Lot 20 compliant by law. All electric heaters are affected to some degree, although they’re held to different standards – more on this later.

What’s a Space Heater?

The term “space heater” describes any indoor electric heater that heats up a room. This includes any wall-mountable panel heater, oil filled radiator, radiant heating panel, air curtain, or electric fire.

Does Every Heater Have to Be Lot 20 Compliant?

No. It’s still possible to buy older non-compliant models of panel heaters that were made before 2018.

Do Patio Heaters Have to Be Lot 20 Compliant?

No. Lot 20 only applies to indoor heaters.

Do Storage Heaters Have to Be Lot 20 Compliant?

Yes. However, they have different efficiency targets.

Will It Be Affected by Brexit?

Without getting too far into the Brexit debate, the answer is no, Lot 20 won’t be affected by Brexit. Britain has already signed up to the change and it’s been copied into UK law. This means that, no matter what happens with Brexit, Lot 20 is here to stay.

What Does Lot 20 Mean for Me?

If you pick up a Lot 20 compliant heater, you know it’s guaranteed to meet the highest energy efficiency standards. Going forward, it’ll mean old, inefficient electric heaters will be gradually phased out and replaced with better, cheaper, and more cost-effective models. This should help keep your heating costs low!

You’re under no obligation to change your old non-compliant heater, but it’s probably a good idea to upgrade sooner rather than later.

How Do I Know a Heater is Lot 20 Compliant?

If it’s on this website, it’s Lot 20 compliant! The truth is that most manufacturers are happy to advertise when their products are compliant as it’s a sort of quality guarantee. If you can’t find any information on your heater, it’s easy to work it out the old-fashioned way.

Lot 20 works using a simple scoring system. Each energy-saving feature (such as a thermostat, 24/7 timer, open window detection, etc) is worth a certain number of points. For most types of electric heater, a score of at least 38 points is a pass. Use this handy calculator and tick off the features that your heater has.

Calculator

If you use a heater of 250W or less in your greenhouse or storage cupboard, bear in mind that this is classed as a low wattage heater. Low wattage heaters are still covered by Lot 20 regulations, but their target score is only 34 points.

The main heaters and their efficiency targets are:

• Wall-mountable heater – 38 points
• Portable heater (no wall-mounting option available) – 36 points
• Storage heater – 38.5 points
• Low wattage heater (250W or less) – 34 points

It’s worth pointing out again that these targets only apply to heaters made after 1st January 2018.

I’m A Landlord. How Does Lot 20 Affect Me?

If you’re a landlord using electric heating in your properties, you’ll need to make sure it’s all Lot 20 compliant. Get in touch with us if you’re looking to upgrade – we’ll give you all the advice you need and can offer bespoke quotes to help you save money.

I’m An Electrician. What Do I Need to Know When Sourcing Heaters for a Job?

If you’re looking for a low-cost heater for a building job, make sure you read the above carefully and pick the most eco-friendly model your client can afford. Don’t try to save them a few quid by offering some cheap old models – it isn’t worth it!