Sir - What is this wattage all about?

Mr. Barlow’s point of view has merit (W. News 9/9/14), and let me make it clear that this is not all about being dictated to by the EU – there are other things to consider.

Whilst no longer being free to buy higher-powered vacuums might be of little consequence to most households, it will certainly affect commercial office and house cleaners who have to use a vacuum for several hours every day.

Linda Dykes, a professional cleaner who has appeared on the Channel 4 programme “Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners” was quoted in “The Telegraph” on 3rd November 2013 as follows: "The more powerful the hoover is, the greater the suction. People who don't know much about vacuums don't think the wattage is important, but people that know about them do."

With regard to articles in various editions of “Which”, it is true that suction power between brand new higher and lower wattage vacuums is negligible, as was demonstrated on the Daily Politics show on 1st September. However it was strongly pointed out that the suction quality of lower wattage vacuums drops off dramatically within a short time.

In August 2014 this same consumer group argued that the move is self-defeating – claiming that householders would simply use the less powerful models for longer in order to achieve the same degree of cleaning.

Electricity usage would inevitably go up again, or money would have to be spent more often on replacements and old vacuums scrapped – creating other environmental problems!

David Carney

UKIP Worcester