Energy+ Pumps

The Energy+ Pumps pilot project tested the instrument of co-operative procurement for the technology of highly energy-efficient circulation pumps for heating systems in a joint effort for 9 EU Member States. The project received financial support from the EU's Intelligent Energy - Europe Programme. It was the target of the project to accelerate the market breakthrough for the new generation of EC motor circulators. These circulators can save up to 80 percent of the electricity for pumping heating water, and around 1 percent of the overall electricity consumption in the EU. They will be the European standard from 2013 onwards.
Twice a year, the project published lists of interested buyers and supporters as well as lists of circulators and condensing boilers that fulfill the Energy+ requirements on energy efficiency and other issues. Energy+ circulators consume no more electricity than what corresponds to the requirements for Class A of the voluntary label created by the manufacturer association Europump.
The most recent lists, published in November 2008, include 26 circulator models of 8 manufacturers from Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, and Switzerland. In addition, there are almost 50 institutional buyers and 27 supporting institutions and organisations, acting as multipliers for the project through their publication efforts. The first lists were presented at the leading trade fair ISH in Frankfurt on the Main. In March 2008, the project presented the winners of the Energy+ Award Competition for highly energy-efficient circulators (two models from Grundfos, one from WILO) and the best electricity-saving condensing boiler (Solvis Max) at Mostra Convegno in Milan. In addition, the City of Salzburg, austria, receivd an Award for the most creative promotion campaign for Energy+ circulators. Finally, material to assist the selection of a highly energy-efficient circulator and a training course for installation contractors were developed and used in the participating countries.
In Germany, the project was supported by the consumer advice centre NRW, ProKlima Hannover, the federation of energy consumers and E.ON Wesphalia Weser.