Consumers are expected to snap up the last of the most powerful vacuum cleaners on the market as a new law banning those rated above 900 watts comes into effect.
The new EU energy rule means manufacturers will not be able to make or import vacuum cleaners with a motor that exceeds 900 watts.
Vacuum cleaners are subject to EU energy labelling and ecodesign requirements, and the European Commission website says that by switching to one of the most energy efficient models, people can save 70 euro over the lifetime of the product.
The website says: 'With more efficient vacuum cleaners, Europe as a whole can save up to 20 TWh of electricity per year by 2020. This is equivalent to the annual household electricity consumption of Belgium.
'It also means over 6 million tonnes of CO2 will not be emitted - about the annual emissions of eight medium-sized power plants.'
It adds: 'From September 2017, the most efficient vacuum cleaners will carry a label of A+++. These ratings take into account the vacuum cleaners' total power and how efficiently that power is used to pick up dust.'
Norfolk raised inventor Sir James Dyson, creator of the eponymous cleaning machines, has taken the EU to court over the ruling – arguing that the vacuum tests do not replicate real world scenarios.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here