1. Mercury Reduction in Thermostats
Presented by Michael Bender
Mercury Policy Project/Zero Mercury Working Group
UNEP Mercury Products Meeting
Bangkok, Thailand
17 May 2007
Thanks for the opportunity to speak today. I am here today to present on behalf of the Zero Mercury Working Group.

2. Summary of Presentation
Overview of Mercury Thermostats
Disposal issues
Availability of mercury-free alternatives
Recommendations
2. In this presentation, I will provide a brief overview of mercury-containing thermostats; disposal issues related to thermostat discards; highlight the availability and cost effectiveness of mercury-free alternatives and conclude with some recommendations.

3. Mechanical Thermostats with Mercury Switches
3. Mechanical Thermostats with Mercury Switches contain around 3 grams of mercury. Some have multiple switches.
Thermostat switch contains 3 grams of mercury; some have multiple switches

4. Estimated Annual U.S.A. Consumption of Mercury in Products
Total Annual Consumption = 276 tons
4. While I am not aware of estimates for annual use in Asia, in the USA thermostats comprised 8% of the market in 2004.

5. Mechanical Thermostats with Mercury Switches, Cont.
Thermostats have life span of years
In the US, 83% of thermostats presently in use contain mercury
Some governments, institutions only purchase mercury-free alternatives
Many states in the US now ban the sale of mercury-containing thermostats
5. It’s been estimated that thermostats have life span of years. In the US, 83% of thermostats presently in use contain mercury
In the US and elsewhere, governments, institutions and others only purchase mercury-free alternatives
In addition, many states in the US now ban the sale of mercury-containing thermostats

6. Estimated U.S. Mercury Reservoirs in Products
Total =1968 tons
6. Of the nearly 2,000 tons of mercury in use in the USA, thermostats comprise about 11% of this– or over 200 tons of mercury currently in circulation that will eventually get released to the environment.

7. Disposal Issues
Once glass bulb breaks, this can occur through leaks, spills or evaporation
This results in contamination of local area
Also, releases to the air, especially through incineration, but also when bulbs are landfilled or otherwise disposed of
7. Like other mercury products, there are disposal issues related to thermostats. Once glass bulb breaks, this can occur through leaks, spills or evaporation
This results in contamination of local area. Also, releases to the air, especially through incineration, but also when bulbs are landfilled or otherwise disposed of.

8. Purpose of University of Lowell Study for State of Maine, USA
Evaluate the energy efficiency and pricing of mercury and non-mercury thermostats used for residential and commercial applications.
8. Before banning sales of mercury-containing thermostats, the State of Maine in the USA contracted with the University of Lowell to Evaluate the energy efficiency and pricing of mercury and non-mercury thermostats used for residential and commercial applications.

9. Lowell Study Scope: Technologies
Electromechanical with mercury switches
Electromechanical without mercury switches
Electronic non-programmable
Electronic programmable
Out of scope: pneumatic, direct digital control, other
9. The Lowell study reviewed Electromechanical with mercury switches; Electromechanical without mercury switches; Electronic non-programmable and
Electronic programmable

10. Lowell Study Results Factor Electro- mechanical with Mercury Switch
Electro- mechanical without Mercury Switch
Electronic Non- programmable
Electronic Programmable
Number of energy efficient models included 5 6 10
Number of manufacturers of energy efficient models included 3 4
Price range
$17.97 to 34.15
$15.21 to $38.84
$18.00 to $76.75
$29.00 to $151.45
10. The results confirmed the viability and cost effectiveness of the mercury-free alternatives.

11. Mercury-free Thermostats
Studies, including Lowell, show non-mercury thermostats accurate and reliable
Programmable thermostats provide energy savings
Reduce heating and cooling costs by 8%
For more information, see: or contact:
11. Other studies also demonstrated that non-mercury thermostats are both accurate and reliable. They also note that programmable thermostats provide energy saving and reduce heating and cooling costs by 8%. For more information on the Lowell study, see: or contact:

12. How to foster conversion?
Governments and institutions can create demand for mercury free alternatives
Procurement standards dictate specifications
When alternatives are
available and cost
comparable, mercury
products can be phased out
12. So the challenge remains How to foster conversion to mercury-free thermostats? As discussed previously, Governments and institutions can create demand for mercury free alternatives
Government or institutional procurement standards dictate specifications for mercury-free alternatives. Therefore, when alternatives are available and cost
comparable, mercury
products such as thermostats can than be phased out.

13. Mercury Product Laws in the United States - 2006
Fever Thermometers, Dairy Manometers
Thermostats
Fever Thermometers
Comprehensive Laws
Switches, Relays, Fever Thermometers
Thermostats, Blood Pressure Cuffs, Bougie Tubes,
Thermostats, Fever Thermometers
13. This map from the USA indicates states that have mandated salesbans on various mercury-containing products. At last count, over one-quarter to one-third of the US population lives in states where mercury-containing thermostats can no longer be purchased.

14. Recommendations
Encourage production, availability of mercury-free alternatives
Foster competitive pricing through government, institutional purchases of non-mercury thermostat
Phase out sale of mercury thermostats
Promote use of energy efficient non-mercury thermostats
Encourage incentives for collection of discards
14. In summary, our recommendations include the following: Encourage production and availability of mercury-free alternatives; Foster competitive pricing through government, institutional purchases of non-mercury thermostat; Phase out sale of mercury thermostats; Promote use of energy efficient non-mercury thermostats; Encourage incentives for collection of discards. Thank you.

15. Acknowledgements
Thanks to the following organizations and individuals for sharing ideas and/or slides for this presentation:
-David Lennett, NRDC
-Peter Maxson, Concorde
East/West, Inc.
-Greg Morose, University of Lowell, Massachusetts
17. I Would like to thank all of those who helped with this slide presentation or provided slides. Thank you.