That sucks :)

Is this all the EU has to worry about?

A 15 amp 120v circuit in the U.S. shouldn't carry more than 1,500 watts. A 20 amp 120v circuit could do 2,000 watts.

I wonder why they would enforce such a rule for vacuum cleaners. I rarely vacuum more than 15 minutes at a time, so it isn't as if I'd be wasting a huge amount of energy by using a few more watts for 15 minutes.

Our consumer magazine tested several "eco" vacuum cleaner and many did a good job. It largely comes down to how well the unit is designed.

Vacuum cleaner EU energy labelling explained

New energy label for vacuum cleaners

More efficiency with equal performance cost money.

The standard Miele vacuum motor is 1200 watts.

The 2017 standard is 900 watts.

We know how unsophisticated energy hogs Miele produces. They will need to improve their efficiency by 25%. I can only wonder what it will do to prices.

Miele cat and dog S8380 vacuum cleaner is $949.

Do we get the new 900 watt motors in 2017? Or can/will Miele make the 1200 watt for export outside the EU?

I'm all for sensible environmental regs, but, really? Isn't it obvious that if you weaken a vacuum enough, you're just going to need more energy in the end? Having to vacuum for 10 minutes with a 900 watt model is the same as vacuuming 5 minutes with a 1800 watt model.

It's like standard low flush toilets - I call them 2 flush toilets.

The best vacuums from the January 2014 issue of our consumer magazine pulled 870 to 1340 watts while ranging from 140 to 200 Euros.

The only vaccums to ever achieve "very good" dust removal were to ones with a power head - such as a 700 watts Vorwerk canister (plus 100 watts for the power head).

As far as toilets are concerned: our toilet uses .8 or 1.6 gallons per flush, depending on whether you press the large flush or small flush button. It has no problem flushing in toilet paper, wet wipes and... other stuff... on one go.

I so wish 240v electricity was more common in the US. As a result, our dishwashers, washing machines, and hair dryers all take longer, and in the first two require hot and cold water connections instead of just cold (and draw water from your water tank, leaving less available for your shower or bath). And our vacuum cleaners aren't as powerful.

The indoor pool I frequent has commercial 240v hair dryers in the locker room and they're wonderful - dry hair and body in 30 seconds.

I'm fine with the low-water-use toilets though. Some of them are awful, but it's possible to make a good one. The commode I recented put in our home (Toto Drake 2) uses only 1.28 gallons per flush and still flushes better than the 5-gallon antiquity in my last home. Maybe they'll figure out how to make a good vacuum that uses less power, but for shop-vac type units, suction is everything and that really requires more power. You're not saving energy if you need to run the thing twice as long.

deeageaux, how should I contact you regarding a different topic? I have a question about from whom you purchased some cheap Cambria slab a couple years ago. (as you stated here: http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2704434/comparing-cost-of-quartz-countertop-companies)