Rush for powerful vacuum cleaners ...before EU sucks the life out of them
HOUSEHOLDERS who want a particularly powerful vacuum cleaner should head to the shops this weekend – before they disappear altogether.
EU legislation that blocks stores from buying new stocks of vacuums over 900 watts was introduced yesterday.
However, retailers are allowed to continue to sell the models already in their warehouses.
Some of Britain’s top electrical brands have stocked up vacuums ahead of the ban.
The law has been brought in to help reduce energy consumption throughout the EU’s 28 states.
It also imposes a strict noise restriction requiring new vacuums not to exceed 80 decibels, which is roughly the level of noise you would hear being made by city traffic while sitting inside a car. The EU has reduced the maximum permitted wattage of vacuum cleaners from 1,600w to 900w, following an earlier reduction from 2000w in 2014.
The ban, which applies to all upright and cylinder vacuum cleaners, means that new household vacuums will become less powerful than the average blender.
Currys PC World has said it was expecting an ‘extreme demand’ for some of its high-powered models ahead of the ban.
‘When the legislation first came into effect in 2014, we saw an immediate uplift in powerful vacuum sales,’ said Freddie Dare, Currys PC World’s category manager for floorcare.
Mr Dare added: ‘Ahead of the second round of legislation taking effect we’ve stocked up on a range of Miele’s highest-motored vacuums and are ready to help Brits beat the EU decree.’
Last night, Currys PC World’s 1,000w+ range consisted of three models, which have all been affected by the ban.
Ahead of the change in the law, the company decided to stock up on the 1,600w Miele C3 Extreme powerline vacuum which is on sale for £299.99, the 1,200w Miele C3 Cat & Dog Powerline Turbo (£299.99) and the 1,200w Miele C2 Allergy Powerline (£169.99).
Despite the reduction in power, the consumer group Which? has suggested that there is no need to rush out and grab the last of the powerful models. The group has tested thousands of vacuums over the years and said the power usage does not necessarily relate to performance. It also welcomed the restriction on noise.
Alex Neill, managing director of Home Products and Services at Which?, said: ‘Over the past 60 years we have tested thousands of vacuum cleaners and found that motor size is rarely an indicator of cleaning ability.’
While some stores have been slashing the cost of the banned vacuum cleaners, others have reportedly ramped up the prices.
Following the introduction of the first phase of the regulation in 2014 – when vacuums were first reduced from 2,000w to 1,400w, the online electrical store, ao.com, reportedly claimed it saw a 380 per cent increase in sales.
Dyson said it had been the only manufacturer to support a cap on motor wattage in 2014. But a spokesman said the regulation was flawed. ‘Testing does not represent real life conditions as the machines are tested with no dust,’ he added.
Miele is currently offering a saving of £60 on its Compact C2 XXL cleaner.
A Miele spokesman said: ‘Miele has introduced innovations like its Boost function, more efficient motors and intelligent electronics which manage the power output to deliver optimum performance, as well as redesigning its suction tubes and floorheads to give monster suction at a lower wattage.’
‘Tested thousands of cleaners’