The EU have brought in a new rule that bans vacuum cleaners with wattages over 900W. It's part of a plan to improve energy efficiency in domestic appliances, and it won't stop at vacuums.
Will it work?
Well, the EU argues that more watts does not mean more cleaning power. The manufacturers would like you to believe that, which is why some of them regularly bump up their products' wattage, but it's not necessarily true.
What's actually important with vacuums is that they are efficient e.g. Getting the most suction per watt as possible. That's a design thing, and it's perfectly possible.
Naturally the manufacturers are up in arms about it, mainly because most of their ranges are now banned and they will have to re-design. The cost of that will either hit their profits or push up prices (Bet I can guess which...).
However, in the long run, lower wattage appliances mean better energy efficiency, cheaper electric bills for us, and lower carbon emissions. Do that all across Europe, for all appropriate appliances (e.g. Kettles wouldn't be), and the EU have made a big dent in their carbon cutting targets.
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