Once again, Europe is pulling far ahead…

“Europe Addresses Inefficient Water Pumps”:

Earlier this month, the European Commission set dates consigning the incandescent light bulb to the dustbin of history.

Late last week, governments and energy mavens in Brussels took aim at another last-century technology: wasteful water circulators.

These circulators pump water warmed by boilers to radiators in our homes and offices. European Union officials say most circulators use too much electricity, causing unnecessary damage to the climate.

Most of the 140 million circulators in use today in Europe keep pumping water whether or not it is needed, according to the commission. Up to 20 percent of average household energy bills pay for electricity to run these inefficient circulators, it says.

A new regulation – part of the commission’s so-called eco-design campaign – would allow only very high-efficiency, “intelligent” circulators by 2015. These units function only when needed and can adjust speed.

The regulation also would require standard circulators to be removed from the E.U. market by 2013.