ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 1 of 13
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report
Vacuum Cleaners
November 2011
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consistently looks for new opportunities to
expand ENERGY STAR to new product categories that will deliver significant benefits to
consumers and the environment in the form of energy and dollar savings plus greenhouse gas
reductions. A key step in this evaluation is the development of a scoping report that provides a
snapshot of the product market, energy use, and savings potential associated with an ENERGY
STAR program for the scoped product type. EPA uses scoping findings to prioritize product
specification development work. While scoping reports are drafted primarily for internal
evaluation purposes, and are not intended to be exhaustive but rather a guidepost for the
ENERGY STAR program, EPA makes the reports available with the interest of benefiting other
efficiency programs evaluating similar opportunities. For more information about the ENERGY
STAR specification development process, go to:
www.energystar.gov/productdevelopment.
1. Product & Technology Overview
Vacuum cleaners are home appliances that are used to remove dirt and soil from carpets,
floors, and furniture. Residential vacuums are generally designed for aesthetics, usability, and
affordability while commercial vacuums are designed for durability and ease of maintenance. A
commercial vacuum cleaner is intended for professional housekeeping purposes and for use by
laymen, cleaning staff, or contracting cleaners, primarily in office, shop, hospitals and hotel
environments for longer periods of time than household vacuum cleaners. Industrial vacuum
cleaners designed for specialized applications. Handheld vacuums are excluded from the scope
of this study, as are electronic sweepers without vacuum capability.
Table 1: Product Types
Product Type
Description
Details
Upright
Vacuum
Self-contained unit with a motor,
cleaning head, separation system,
filtration system, and exhaust port
built into a vertical standalone
configuration.
The main cleaning head typically
includes motor driven brush rolls
and/or a beater bar to facilitate
cleaning carpets.
Canister
Vacuum
Consists of a cleaning head attached
to a vacuum body by a long,
extendable wand or tube. The body
contains the motor, separation
system, filtration system, and exhaust.
Has the suction power and filtration
capability of an upright vacuum but
allows for increased mobility. Some
canister vacuums can be worn like a
backpack. Also referred to as a
cylinder or suction cleaner.
Stick Vacuum
Similar to an upright vacuum but with
a compact, lightweight design for
increased maneuverability.
Mainly used for smaller spaces.
Typically less powerful than other
types of vacuums.
Wet-Dry
Vacuum
A canister-like body contains the
motor, separation system and a long
wand or tube that connects to the
cleaning head.
Has the capability to take in wet
debris, water, and large quantities of
dirt without clogging. Typically does
not have cleaning head attachments.
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 2 of 13
Product Type
Description
Details
Wide-area
Vacuum
Similar to an upright vacuum but with
a cleaning head that covers a much
larger area.
Larger in size and intended for
industrial cleaning. Typically has a
self-propulsion system.
Steam
Cleaner or
Deep Cleaner
Available in upright, canister or
industrial vacuum form factors. Cleans
by spraying warm water and detergent
on the cleaning surface before
extracting the solution with suction.
The cleaning head typically includes a
spraying system, an agitator or brush,
and a suction intake.
Product Components and Features
• Motor: Most vacuum cleaner motors rely on carbon brushes to supply electrical power to
a rotating armature. These brushes tend to wear down resulting in a finite life of the
motor. A new generation of brushless motors drives a permanent magnet rotor without
physical contact and has potential for extended life. Additionally, these motors can be
smaller in size and can run at extremely high speeds (up to 100,000 rpm compared with
approximately 30,000 rpm for carbon brush motors).
1
• Separation System: The system by which the vacuum separates dirt and debris from the
air. Types of separation systems include:
o Bag: A vacuum bag is used to filter dirt out of a stream of air. The bag or filter is
subsequently discarded along with the dirt.
o Bagless: A removable container and reusable filter is used to trap dirt and debris.
The container is then emptied and the filter cleaned for re-use. The majority of
residential vacuums sold in the U.S. are bagless designs.
▪ Water Filtration: Intake air is forced through a tank of water to dampen the dirt
and debris, thus separating it from the air. The water is emptied after each
use.
▪ Cyclonic Separation: Intake air is spun at very high speeds in a separation
chamber. Dust particles move outward while clean air exits from the inner
part of the chamber. Some vacuums have multiple chambers to increase
filtration efficiency.
• Filtration System: A system of one or more filters through which exhaust air passes to
remove fine particulate matter that escapes the primary separation system. Some filters
remove microscopic particulate matter and purify the exhaust air, which is an important
feature for people who are sensitive to dust or other allergens. Filter types include:
o HEPA
2
(High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filters meet stringent efficiency
specifications. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) regulates HEPA filter
standards and requires independent laboratory testing to validate filter
performance in nuclear facility settings.
1
“Work on Preparatory Studies for Eco-Design Requirements of EuPs (II) Lot 17 Vacuum Cleaners Final Report to the European
Commission,” AEA Group, February 2009.
2
DOE-STD-3020-97: Specification for HEPA Filters Used by DOE Contractors, U.S. Department of Energy, January 1997.
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 3 of 13
o ULPA (Ultra Low Penetration Air) Filters meet an efficiency standard required for
ultra sterile environments, such as pharmaceutical laboratories.
o Allergenic Filters specifically target allergens such as pet dander and pollen, but
do not meet HEPA or ULPA specifications
• Cleaning Head: The part of the vacuum that is in direct contact with the surface to be
cleaned. The cleaning head style varies based on the vacuum’s primary function. For
carpeted surfaces, adjustable brushes, beater bars, and small turbines may be used to
loosen dirt or debris. Wet-Dry vacuums usually have a large open cleaning head to allow
large volumes of debris or water to be ingested quickly.
• Power Source:
o Mains Powered: A vacuum cleaner that is connected to a mains voltage electrical
supply during its operation.
o Cordless: A vacuum cleaner with integrated electrical supply (usually low voltage
DC) that uses rechargeable battery storage of electricity during its operation.
Handheld vacuum cleaners are usually cordless. Larger battery operated
vacuums may be introduced to the market in coming years as battery technology
improves.
NOTE: Some hand-held and stick combination vacuum cleaner products qualify
for the ENERGY STAR label under the Version 1.1 Battery Charging Systems
Specification.
3
o Hybrid: Hybrid canister models that use either mains or battery power during
operation have recently been introduced in the European market.
4
• Clean Carpet Sensor: Some vacuum cleaners have an indicator light that activates once
the machine senses the carpet is clean.
2. Market Assessment
U.S. Retail Sales: Residential
Retail sales of vacuum and steam cleaners in the US totaled more than 26 million units in 2010.
Upright designs continue to dominate the market, while stick vacuum cleaners have maintained
a small yet steady share.
Residential steam cleaners have recently gained market share with sales growth driven largely
by the growing popularity of steam mop configurations. In 2010, the industry saw an increasing
number of multi-function products as more suppliers introduced units that combined steam with
vacuum and sweeper functions.
3
www.energystar.gov/batterychargers
4
http://www.miele.co.uk/vacuum-cleaners/s6/hybrids4812-380/
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 4 of 13
Table 2: U.S. Retail Sales of Vacuums – 2010
5
Product
Type
Retail Dollar Sales
(millions)
Market Share by
Retail Dollar Sales
Retail Unit Sales
(millions)
Market Share by
Retail Unit Sales
Upright
$2,040
78%
69%
Canister
6
~$200
8%
7%
Stick
$140
5%
12%
Steam
$240
9%
12%
Total
$2,620
Table 3: U.S. Retail Unit Sales of Vacuums – 2006-2010
7
Product
Type
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2006-10 CAGR
Upright
19.7
19.6
18.8
18.6
19.3
-0.5%
Stick
3.6
3.5
3.5
3.4
3.5
-0.7%
Steam 1.4 1.4 1.5 2.8 3.3 23.0%
Total
24.7
24.5
23.8
24.8
26.1
1.4%
U.S. Retail Pricing: Residential
According to several sources, price point is not necessarily tied to energy efficiency or
performance. One manufacturer noted that efficiency can be improved without an increase in
price to the consumer. Below are the typical price ranges for various types of residential and
commercial vacuums.
Table 4: Product Price Ranges
Product Type Residential Price* Commercial Price
Upright
$50 - $1000
$100 - $1000
Canister
$50 - $1300
$300 - $1600
Stick
$30 - $300
N/A
Wet/Dry
$50 - $700
$50 - $1400
Wide-area
N/A
$1000 - $3000
Steam
$100 - $400
$200 - $3500
*Note: The upper end of the cost range for residential vacuums represents units sold door-to-
door and via specialty retailers.
In the last several years, retail product assortments have shifted toward lower price segments.
The results of the HomeWorld Forecast 2011’s annual survey of consumers below indicate how
much money consumers expect to pay for upright and stick vacuum cleaners.
5
Upright, stick, and steam 2010 sales data are from the “Housewares Census 2011,” HomeWorld Business, January 2011.
6
Canister sales data was last collected for the year 2006 and reported in the “Housewares Census 2007,” HomeWorld Business,
January 2007. In the above table, rough estimates for 2010 canister sales are provided assuming nearly 0% sales growth.
7
Ibid. Canister models not included. Data are unavailable for all years.
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 5 of 13
Figure 1: U.S. Upright Vacuum Consumer Purchase Price Expectation
8
U.S. Market Penetration: Residential
In 2009, the NPD Group conducted an online consumer survey of a U.S. representative sample
of nearly 2,000 users of electric floor care products. Nearly 90% of respondents owned some
type of electric floor care product.
9
Upright configurations accounted for the majority of vacuums
owned (69%) by respondents, followed by workshop vacuums and handhelds. Owners of
vacuums told the NPD Group that when purchasing their next vacuum they will consider
suctioning power, product durability, ease of use, and ease of mobility.
The NPD Group also found that the average household owns two vacuum cleaners in total. This
multiple ownership scenario is also common in Europe with certain types of vacuum cleaners
being used for special areas or tasks within the household. For example, there could be an
upright vacuum cleaner for the downstairs level, a smaller canister or suction vacuum for the
upstairs level, a cleaner for use in the garage and a hand-held for quick cleaning indoors
10
.
According to industry sources, consumers purchase a new vacuum approximately every 4-5
years. Sales trends in Europe also indicate that the working life of the products have declined
from 8 years to around 4 years though it is not clear how the lifespan is affected with many
households having multiple units.
11
U.S. Stock of Vacuum Cleaners
The stock of U.S. vacuum cleaners is estimated based on household data, annual sales, and
assumptions about ownership levels established in the preceding sections.
8
Ibid.
9
Electric floor care products refers to all vacuums, as well as electric bare-floor cleaners/steam mops, carpet sweepers, deep carpet
cleaner/extractors, and other types of electric floor care products.
10
“Work on Preparatory Studies for Eco-Design Requirements of EuPs(II) Lot 17 Vacuum Cleaners Final Report to the European
Commission,” AEA Group, February 2009.
11
Ibid.
13.4%
28.1%
19.3%
12.3%
11%
4.6%
12%
Source: HomeWorld Forecast Consumer Survey
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 6 of 13
Table 5: U.S Household Stock of Electric Floor Cleaners
U.S. Households in 2009
113.43
Electric Floor Cleaner Household Penetration
90%
Average Product per Household
2
Total Estimated Stock 2009 (Millions)
205
Total Unit Sales 2004-2010 (Millions)
12
220
% of Households Owning Upright in 2009
69%
Estimated Upright and Stick Vacuum Cleaner Stock (Millions)
140
Estimated Lifetime of Electric Floor Cleaner
5-8 years
Product Trends: Residential
Upright vacuum cleaners in the U.S. are typically rated by the amount of amperage drawn from
the electrical outlet which flows through them. This rating is often used in marketing claims to
indicate how “powerful” a vacuum cleaner is and thus persuade consumers that it will it have
better cleaning performance than a lower power model. In the 1990s, most vacuum cleaners
were rated at 8A until an “amp” marketing war ensued. Now, the majority of upright vacuums in
the U.S. have 12A ratings, the maximum permitted for UL approval.
Many brands feature amperage rating prominently on product packaging and associate it with
cleaning performance prompting consumers to pick models that have the highest amperage
rating. Wattage ratings are more frequently used in European markets and are commonly
provided for canister vacuums in the U.S instead of amperage ratings. At this time, energy
efficiency is not explicitly rewarded in the U.S. marketplace.
While vacuum cleaners in Europe tend to use less power on average, the market has seen
similar trends in power increases. A UK Consumer Testing organization revealed that power
ratings of vacuum cleaners have increased over the last 40 years with a 1960 report indicating
that tested products had an average wattage of 400 W, with a range of 150 to 950 W.
Information from retail catalogs in the table below confirms the trend.
13
Table 6: Approximate Input Power Range of Vacuum Cleaners
Product Type
Input Power Range 2003
Input Power Range 2008
Bagged upright cleaners
1300 W to 1800 W
1150 W to 2000 W
Bagless upright cleaners
1450 W to 1700 W
1700 W to 2000 W
Bagged cylinders (canisters)
1100 W to 1800 W
1200 W to 2500 W
Bagless cylinders (canisters)
1400 W to 2000 W
1400 W to 2700 W
U.S. Market Data: Commercial
Approximately 575,000 commercial vacuums were sold in the US in 2008, with a projected
annual growth rate of 2 to 5%. The majority of commercial sales are through retail distribution
channels, though the Internet is the fastest-growing sales channel.
12
Estimate includes sales of upright, canister, stick, hand-held, and steam vacuum cleaners.
13
Ibid.
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 7 of 13
3. Energy Efficiency Assessment
Available Test Procedures
• IEC/EN 60312-1 Ed 1.0 Vacuum cleaners for household use - Part 1: Dry vacuum
cleaners - Methods for Measuring the Performance. This procedure includes an energy
consumption test to measure energy and cleaning performance on different surfaces
and with different types of soiling. This standard is not intended for battery-operated
vacuum cleaners.
According to industry sources, the European Committee for Electrotechnical
Standardization (CENELEC) developed an amendment to EN/IEC 60312 to define
“energy efficiency” as energy consumption necessary to reach a reference level of dust
pick up on carpet and hard floor and “filtration performance” as “fractional filtration
efficiency,” taking into account the dust entering and emitted by the vacuum cleaner. The
result will be shown as percentage of retained dust.
• ASTM F2756 – 09 Standard Test Method for Determining Energy Consumption of
Vacuum Cleaner. This procedure provides an indication of the amount of energy usage
of the vacuum cleaner while operating over a specified cleaning area at a specified stoke
speed and total number of cleaning strokes. This method applies to household and
commercial upright, canister, stick, and wet/dry vacuum cleaners.
• ASTM F608–07 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Carpet Embedded Dirt Removal
Effectiveness of Household/Commercial Vacuum Cleaners. This procedure measures
relative carpet dirt removal effectiveness and applies to residential and commercial
upright, canister, and combination vacuum cleaners. This standard differs from IEC
60312-1 in that it measures cleaning on four different types of carpet rather than a single
type.
• ASTM F2608 – 07 Standard Test Method for Determining the Change in Room Air
Particulate Counts as a Result of the Vacuum Cleaning Process. In this test method, the
amount of particulate generated into the air by operating a vacuum cleaner over a
specific floor covering that is contaminated with dust will be determined. Particles from
the motor, floor covering, and the test dust will all be measured. A standardized test
chamber, equipment, floor covering material, and dust particulate are used in this test
method.
• CRI TM 112 Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Solid Particulate Removal
Effectiveness Using X-Ray Fluorescence Techniques. This procedure describes X-ray
fluorescence techniques for measuring the percentage of soil compounds removed from
a test carpet.
• CRI TM 115: Standard Laboratory Test Practice for Determining the Power Use
Effectiveness of Residential and Commercial Vacuum Cleaners. This procedure
evaluates soil removal performance versus power consumption to determine Power Use
Effectiveness (PUE). A high PUE indicates removal of more soil with less power
consumption.
• Consumers Union uses a deep cleaning carpet test similar to the ASTM standard.
Vacuums with brushes, wide power heads, and large mass tend to do well in deep
cleaning carpet tests.
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 8 of 13
Product Usage Patterns: Residential
Product usage may be dependent upon the size of a dwelling, the amount and type of soil to be
removed, the type of surface being cleaned, the effectiveness of the vacuum, the hygienic
standards of the user, and the time available for cleaning. When asked about the relationship
between cleaning performance and energy use, and whether vacuums with better performance
are used for shorter durations, one stakeholder indicated that vacuum cleaner users commonly
develop a conditioned usage pattern that is independent of the effectiveness of the vacuum and
that usage is not typically decreased as a result of markedly increased cleaning performance.
Many manufacturers conduct field testing to measure typical vacuum usage patterns, with
reported average weekly usage time ranging from 20-60 minutes. Consensus on the average
usage time for U.S. households has not been established. The preparatory studies for EU Eco-
Design requirements suggest an average of one hour of cleaning per week in residential
applications, with a ‘light’ pattern of 15 minutes per week, and a ‘heavy’ pattern of four hours per
week. For purposes of this study an average residential usage of 40 hours per year is assumed.
Some residential vacuums offer user controlled operating modes which may affect power
consumption. Other products may automatically adjust power consumption depending on the
surface being cleaned. There is limited data available regarding user behavior with respect to
various product settings.
Product Usage Patterns: Commercial
Commercial vacuums are generally used by professional cleaning companies or professional
cleaning staff, and operate for a greater number of hours than products in residential
environments. Industry sources suggest typical usage from 60 to 2,028 hours per year. For
purposes of this study, an average commercial usage of 700 hours per year is assumed.
Product Lifetime
The typical service lifetime for residential vacuum cleaners has been reported to be in a range
of 4-10 years. The preparatory studies for EU Eco-Design requirements suggest that 8 years
best approximates residential vacuum lifetime and stakeholder input seems to indicate that
lifetime in the U.S. may be lower. For purposes of this study, an average residential product
lifetime of 7 years is assumed.
According to industry representatives, the typical lifespan of a commercial vacuum is only 2-3
years due to more frequent usage. For purposes of this study, an average commercial product
lifetime of 2.5 years is assumed.
4. Energy and Cost Savings Potential
Historically, vacuum cleaners have employed centrifugal fans to create suction power in a
manner that leads to relatively inefficient energy conversion. According to the EU Eco-Design
preparatory study, maximum efficiency can be as low as 15% and has seldom been greater
than 50%. When the leaks and inefficiencies of the vacuum cleaner and its connecting tubes
and filters are taken in to account, the overall energy conversion capability can be anything
between 10% and 33%. This energy conversion efficiency has no relationship with cleaning
efficiency or ability to pick up dirt where absolute levels of suction, airflow and suction power are
more critical.
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 9 of 13
This section assesses the available options for energy efficiency improvements and
summarizes the technical analysis and findings of the Eco-Design study
14
. All improvements
would be capable of being introduced within the design life cycle of the product which is typically
three years; information available suggests many efficiency improvements would be achievable
at a relatively low cost.
Input Power
Though manufacturers have historically promoted the amperage of the vacuum motor as an
indication of the vacuum’s cleaning ability, there is minimal correlation between power and
cleaning performance. There is a lower limit below which no cleaning performance would occur
at all, then a small band of rapid improvement, followed by a wider band of small or negligible
improvement. Beyond this point, no discernable improvement can be seen.
15
Stakeholders have
also indicated that filtration or dust removal performance is almost independent of power.
Cleaning head design, brush mechanisms, a sealed system, and other overall design are often
more important factors for cleaning performance than input power.
Suction Power
The suction motor takes electrical power from the power source and converts it into mechanical
power in the form of suction with air flow. There is more correlation between suction power and
cleaning performance than input power alone, particularly when comparing canister models only
using suction power for cleaning. Though, it is important to note that the design of the actual
nozzle may be a more influential factor.
Suction power is measured in airwatts based on suction with air flow at the unit itself.
16
The
suction is typically measured with the air flow being restricted by a two inch opening. The
maximum suction power divided by the input power at the same point determines the maximum
airflow efficiency (energy conversion efficiency) of the vacuum cleaner. This value, which is not
related to cleaning efficiency, is normally quite low, rarely above 50% and often around 30%,
indicating that input power is converted mostly to heat. This heat is primarily the result of
resistance in the copper windings on the motor armature and field as current flows through
them. Air flow travels through both the suction fans and the motor to cool the system.
The airwatts rating does not necessarily reflect the actual air flow in the complete system in
normal use. In addition to the resistance within the power unit, there is resistance caused by air
turbulence in the hose and tubing, restriction where the cleaning nozzle contacts the floor, as
well as increased resistance within the filtering system as the unit fills with dirt. The sealed
suction rating (no air flow) is typically about four times higher and indicates the maximum
suction that can be produced by a motor.
The largest potential for energy savings is in the improvement in the efficiency of the motor/fan
(vacuum generator). For current vacuum cleaners, energy losses are between 60% and 75%.
The energy losses are manifested as heat via the exhaust air. With application of best available
14
“Work on Preparatory Studies for Eco-Design Requirements of EuPs (II) Lot 17 Vacuum Cleaners Final Report to the European
Commission,” AEA Group, February 2009.
15
“Work on Preparatory Studies for Eco-Design Requirements of EuPs(II) Lot 17 Vacuum Cleaners Final Report to the European
Commission,” AEA Group, February 2009.
16
The airwatt is derived from English units. ASTM International defines the airwatt as 0.117354 * F * S, where F is the rate of air
flow in cu-ft/min and S is the pressure in inches of water. This makes one airwatt equal to 0.9983 watts.
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 10 of 13
technology, a target energy loss of 45% is achievable through improvements in design to the
fan case and fan blades.
Airflow
The air flow is proportional to the amount of suction produced by the motor and inversely
proportional to the total resistance to air flow within the complete system. In order to remove
soil away from the cleaning head and into the receptacle, airflow needs to meet a certain
threshold, typically 18 ft
3
per minute. Improvements can also be made to the design of vacuum
cleaner airways. Currently the energy losses due to the airways are at best 5% and at worst
10%. Best available technology suggests that energy loss of around 5% is the achievable
target.
Nozzle Design and Agitation
Nozzle design is a critical area for ensuring most efficient cleaning effectiveness. Suction power
requirements (as measured at the nozzle) can be as low as 50 airwatts where an agitator is
present. Current energy losses exhibited are at best around 15% and at worst around 25%.
With efficient nozzle design, a target energy loss of 10% is achievable.
Leakage between the vacuum generator and nozzle can lead to energy losses. Current energy
losses are at best around 10% and at worst around 20%. Losses due to leakage could be
reduced to a target energy loss of about 5%.
Vacuum cleaners can have either have an active nozzle (with an agitator) or a passive nozzle
(without an agitator) with latter being more common in canister configurations. Agitator or brush
design has more effect on carpet cleaning performance than any other factor and is normally
driven by the same motor driving the fan. Typical speeds of around 3000 RPM produce the best
cleaning effect through vibration and as well as brushing action. At low powers, an active nozzle
is superior to a passive nozzle at cleaning carpets.
Dirt Receptacle and Filtration
Usually the more effective a filter media is at stopping and trapping the dirt, the more energy it
absorbs from the airflow. The most effective way to reduce airflow loss is to increase the overall
area of the filter. Cyclones also absorb energy, in order to create centrifugal velocities and
forces. Multiple cyclones in series can absorb as much energy as a heavy duty barrier filter. The
use of multiple second stage cyclones in parallel has led to a reduction in energy absorbed but
may allow more dust to pass through thus requiring the subsequent use of barrier filters in
addition to the cyclones.
For current filters (HEPA 12), the energy losses due to the filtration process are at best 15% and
at worst around 20%. The best available technology position with regard to filtration would
suggest an achievable target energy loss of 10%. This would require larger area filters thereby
requiring increased amounts of filtration materials.
Estimated Savings Potential
The design improvements discussed in this section indicate there is opportunity for significant
gains in vacuum efficiency, though the gains from a collection of design options may not
necessarily be additive. Currently, total overall energy losses are at best 75% and at worst as
high as 89%. Through greater emphasis on energy efficiency in the design process, the data
currently available suggests that an overall target energy loss of 60% could be achieved.
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 11 of 13
For purposes of this report, savings potential was estimated with motor amperage as a proxy for
efficiency improvements, which equates to an assumption that equivalent cleaning performance
can be achieved with a less powerful motor. The baseline is based on a 12A rated vacuum and
savings on direct substitution of vacuums rated at 10A (16% efficiency improvement) and 8A
(33% efficiency improvement). These improvements are roughly equivalent to the power caps
suggested by the European Union.
Estimated per-unit annual savings for residential vacuums are on the order of 10-19 kWh/year,
which would offer lifetime savings of $7-15 over an assumed 7-year lifetime. However, there is
a more significant saving opportunity on a national basis due to the size of the market.
Considering there are approximately 28 million vacuums sold in the U.S. each year, the national
energy savings opportunity would be on the order of 67,000-135,000 MWh per year if 25% of
products sold were replaced with energy efficient models. This reduction in energy use would
reduce CO
2
emissions by approximately 103 -208 million lbs (assuming a conversion of 1.54 lbs
CO
2
per kWh).
Due to their more frequent operation, it is estimated that vacuums used in commercial settings
could provide significantly greater unit savings ($46-91 over a 2.5 year lifetime of the product)
than residential vacuums. However, since the overall market for commercial vacuums is
substantially smaller (annual shipments estimated to be 575 thousand in 2008) than the
residential market, the national savings opportunity is also somewhat smaller. For commercial
applications, assuming 25% of vacuums sold were replaced with energy efficiency models, the
national energy savings would be the order of 24,000 to 48,000 MWh per year, a reduction in
energy would reduce CO
2
emissions by approximately 37 - 74 million lbs
.
Split-incentive Challenges for Commercial Markets
In the residential market, savings achieved by efficient household vacuum cleaners are passed
directly on to the user. This is not the case for commercial market vacuums. The owner of a
commercial building pays for the electricity required to run the vacuums for their cleaning
service whereas the cleaning service would be responsible for purchasing an efficient product. It
is possible that the cleaning service could highlight the energy savings from efficient vacuum
use as an incentive for their customers.
5. Key Market Players
Industry Associations
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI)
17
is a nonprofit trade organization representing the
manufacturers of more than 95 percent of carpet made in the US, as well as their suppliers and
service providers. CRI has developed a vacuum cleaner certification program that promotes
effective cleaning and superior vacuum operation. To qualify, vacuums must be tested by CRI
or a CRI-certified test lab.
The CRI “Green Label” program controls indoor air quality by stipulating that a vacuum must not
release more than 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air. There are currently
180 models that meet CRI Green Label requirements.
Dust Containment:
• Bronze: ≤ 100 µg/m
3
• Silver: ≤ 100 µg /m
3
17
http://www.carpet-rug.org/
ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 12 of 13
• Gold: ≤ 35 µg/m
3
The CRI “Seal of Approval” program combines the indoor air quality protection of the Green
Label program with enhanced cleaning standards for soil removal and carpet fiber retention.
There are currently 88 models that meet CRI Seal of Approval requirements.
Soil Removal:
• Bronze: 40 – 49% Soil Removal
• Silver: 50 – 54% Soil Removal
• Gold: ≥ 55% Soil Removal
Carpet Fiber Retention: The carpet fiber retention test visually rates a change in the texture
appearance by applying six cleaning cycles to residential cut pile carpet and eleven cleaning
cycles to commercial cut pile carpet. The vacuum must not affect the texture of commercial cut
pile carpet more than one step change based on one year of normal vacuum use.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)
18
is a trade association of home
appliance manufacturers. AHAM performs market research and supplies business data to its
members. AHAM supports the ASTM test procedures but does not currently offer a certification
program for vacuums.
Product Manufacturers
Table 7: Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers
Residential Brands/Manufacturers Commercial Brands/Manufacturers
• Aerus LLC
• Bissell Inc. (Bissell)
• BSH Home Appliance Corp (Bosch)
• Cleartrak
• Dyson Ltd
• Electrolux Home Care (Eureka, RIDGID,
Craftsman, goClean, DirtHound)
• Emerson Tool Company
• Euro-Pro
• Hoover
• Kenmore
• Lindhaus
• Miele Inc
• Oreck
• Panasonic
• Royal Appliance Mfg.
• Shop-Vac
• Tacony (Riccar, Simplicity, Tacony Vac
Pros)
• Ultracare
• Clarke
• DeWalt
• Electrolux Home Care (Sanitaire)
• Hoover
• Karcher Floor Care
• Koblenz (Koblenz Electrica)
• Mastercraft Industries
• Minuteman International Inc
• NaceCare Solutions
• Nilfisk-Advance (Kent Euroclean)
• NSS Enterprises Inc.
• Nobles
• Pacific Floor Care
• PacVac
• Panasonic
• ProTeam
• Royal Appliance Mfg.
• Rubbermaid Commercial Products
• Shop-Vac
• Tacony (CFR Corp, Powr-Flite,
Tornado, Truvox International)
• Tennant
• Thoro-Matic
18
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ENERGY STAR Market & Industry Scoping Report: Vacuums Page 13 of 13
Residential Brands/Manufacturers Commercial Brands/Manufacturers
• Windsor Industries
6. International Activity
European Union Energy Label
There is currently no European Union legislation specifically dealing with the energy
consumption of vacuum cleaners. Under Directive 2010/30/EU, a preparatory study has been
undertaken with proposals that include an energy label for vacuum cleaners based on energy
consumption and cleaning performance with possible minimum limits set for noise and dust re-
emissions. The label would apply to “normal” vacuum cleaners intended for domestic use and
similar cleaning likely making no distinction between canister, stick, and upright configurations.
The label excludes wet, hand-held battery operated, industrial, and central vacuum cleaners as
well as sweeper appliances that do not use a vacuum for dust pick up.
Table 8: European Union Proposed Caps for Input Power Rating of Vacuum Cleaners
2011
2014
Uprights without integral hose and tools
750 W
500 W
Canister Cleaners and Uprights with integral hose and tools
1100 W
750 W
Commercial Vacuums with single motors
1200 W
1000 W
Commercial Vacuums with dual motors
1500 W
1250 W
Energy Saving Trust
Energy Saving Trust Recommended is a UK voluntary product certification and labeling scheme
covering over 30 products that has recently finalized criteria for vacuum cleaners. In order to
receive certification, both upright and canister vacuums must have input power of ≤1200 W
while meeting minimum cleaning hard floor and carpet performance measured at full load using
EN 60312. The model must comply with minimum safety standards and 500 hours of usage, as
demonstrated by test data, or a 5 year guarantee offered to consumers.