Viessmann is introducing an online labelling tool to help installers comply with the ErP directive, which comes into effect on 26 September.

The Energy-related Products Directive (ErP) regulations will require manufacturers to label individual new products, and installers to label multi-technology systems. To do this, installers are required to calculate energy efficiency based on the combined components of a system, such as the boiler, controls, and heat pumps, and then apply an energy-rating package label to complete the installation.

To make it easy for installers to calculate a package's energy efficiency and print the appropriate ErP label, Viessmann will introduce an online tool, exclusively for Viessmann products that will automatically produce the system label, when the installer goes online and inputs the product codes of the system items being installed.

Another tool, for systems combining products from Viessmann and other manufacturers, will present the installer with a spreadsheet which allows calculation of the energy rating and label required.

In addition to these resources, Viessmann will provide training for installers, will answer their ErP-related questions via a dedicated email address, and will have a dedicated contact for ErP queries in the company's technical advice team.

The regulations will apply to domestic and commercial boilers, water heaters and cylinders, heat pumps, solar collectors and CHP, with outputs up to 400kW. A system boiler connected to a DHW cylinder is not classified as a multi-technology pack. Before 26 September, Viessmann will issue a list of all its affected products.

As part of the ErP Directive, the regulations assess products' energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions and noise levels. Products will be efficiency-graded with ratings from A (best) to G (worst) and labelled in the same way as other white goods such as washing machines and dishwashers. It will be illegal in EU countries to sell products that don't meet the minimum efficiency criteria. This is not to be confused with the requirement for boilers to include high efficiency pumps, where manufacturers cannot sell products without such pumps after 31 July, but where there is no cut-off date for selling these products from the merchant and wholesale channels.

"The next phase of the Ecodesign and Energy Labelling regulations will soon be with us," said Viessmann marketing director, Darren McMahon, "and for installers they mean increased responsibilities. We'd like to reassure installers that Viessmann is introducing systems to help make compliance as smooth a transition as possible."