More energy-efficient air-conditioners from Sept 2016

More energy-efficient air-conditioners from Sept 2016

SINGAPORE - Consumers can look forward to having more energy-efficient air-conditioner models in the market from Sept 1, 2016.

According to the National Environment Agency (NEA), this is part of its continual effort to further improve the energy performance standards of household appliances.

A survey conducted by NEA on household energy consumption revealed that home air-conditioning accounts for about 37 per cent of the total household electricity consumption.

To help consumers reap greater energy and cost savings, the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for air-conditioners will be raised from September next year, said the NEA in a statement on Tuesday.

There will also be a Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS) to help consumers make better informed purchasing decisions.

The label carries useful energy information such as the annual energy consumption and energy costs of the appliance. The number of ticks on the label indicates the relative energy efficiency of the product.

Currently, air-conditioner models that are imported into Singapore must attain at least 1-tick. When the standards are raised in September 2016, all air-conditioner models must be of at least 2-ticks. By switching from a 1-tick to a 2-tick air-conditioner, a household can save about $100 annually in energy costs.

Products that are in the market or were imported before Sept 1, 2016 will be exempted from the regulations for a year, said the NEA.

More details on MEPS for air-conditioners can be found at www.nea.gov.sg/els.

To learn more about how households can design an energy-efficient home, go to www.e2singapore.gov.sg/Households.aspx/.

candicec@sph.com.sg

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