ENERGY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR AIR CONDITIONERS COMPREHENSIVELY
UPGRADED IN INDIA
- Standards now at 8% higher efficiency for star-rating on split 1.5 ton ACs and higher
- Mobile-based application launched to help consumers calculate energy consumption
- Technological improvements driving higher energy efficiency in the HVAC industry
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body
under the Union Ministry of Power, has upgraded the requirements for star rating
of split type room air-conditioners. This regulation, which came into effect in
January this year and raised the energy efficiency standards by about 8% for
split air-conditioners for the same rating band, is intended to help raise
consumer awareness on saving energy and creating more energy efficient
appliances across the spectrum for this industry. This initiative, launched in
2010, is especially relevant in view of the upcoming freeze on
Hydro-chlorofloro-carbons (HCFC) under the Montreal Compact on Environment (Montreal Protocol) in 2013 and the effort of
getting prepared for future GWP (Global Warming Potential) legislation without
any energy penalty. For the Indian industry, this marks a substantive step
forward in not only averring to the rising awareness and readiness on the policy
side to taking control of the most pertinent energy efficiency issues, but also
marks a firm movement towards a healthy public-private partnership in the area
of energy reforms.
BEE recognizes that consumer awareness and education
have been instrumental in the success of energy efficiency movement thus far. To
further empower consumers, a mobile-phone based application called “AC Power
Saver” has been developed that enables consumers to calculate energy consumption
and savings right on their mobile devices. This application will be available
for Android, Blackberry and iPhone users free of charge. These tools will help
consumers calculate the expected annual electricity bills and the potential
savings. Users can get an idea about their savings on their electricity bills if
they buy higher star rating air conditioners. For a wider reach, a dedicated web
site – www.SaveEnergy.co.in – has been created
with all necessary information including the energy calculator.
The campaign to educate consumers comprises several
strategic initiatives. Air conditioner showroom salesmen are being trained and
oriented on the star labeling criterion so that they can explain to consumers
the tangible benefits of using energy efficient air conditioners. BEE has
already trained 1,544 salesmen in India across 6 cities and plans to continue
with this effort. These trained salesmen help consumers make an informed choice
with respect to energy efficiency while buying home air conditioners.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Ajay Mathur, Director
General, BEE said, “Energy is critical for India, and the demand for clean and
efficient energy devices is growing rapidly. We are happy that our initial steps
in introducing star labeling for air-conditioners has borne such good results.
It is our resolve to further augment this initiative by reaching out to as wide
a section of consumers as possible and to do this we have embarked on a variety
on new measures to educate and engage the public at large as well as the
manufacturers and retailers.”
Emerson Climate Technologies, an engineering technology
innovator, has been actively collaborating with BEE to build awareness of the
star rating program. According to Mr. Deepak Takkar, Sr. Vice President – Sales
& General Manager – Cold Chain, Emerson Climate Technologies (India) Pvt.
Ltd., “Research shows that every watt of energy saved at consumption results in
four watts less energy produced, factoring in the generation and T&D losses.
The adoption of star rating in air-conditioners significantly supports energy
conservation and improvement of power efficiencies in India”. He added, “The
industry plays a key role in augmenting the success of Government’s thrust on
environmental protection. In the air-conditioning industry, on the
manufacturers’ side, we have introduced Copeland Scroll™ compressors in the
Indian residential AC market for the first time to provide optimum energy
savings and comply with the highest star rating. Copeland Scroll™ technology has
been extremely successful in the commercial and residential segments around the
world for many years. We believe that with the focus on empowering consumers
with efficient and reliable technologies like Copeland Scroll™, and awareness
tools like the ‘AC Power Saver’ mobile app, India stands to greatly improve the
energy situation and bridging the supply-and-demand gap.”
According to Mr. SanjeevRanjan, CEO, International
Copper Promotion Council (India), “ICPCI has been quite actively engaged since
2007 with the Air Conditioner Industry by promoting the life cycle cost as the
main attribute to drive consumer purchase decisions. Copper’s better thermal
and electrical properties do help in improving energy efficiency performance of
air conditioners, which in turn helps achieve higher star rating more cost
effectively. ICPCI as a part of Copper Alliance, led by International Copper
Association is working for technology advancement by focusing on reducing the
material cost of energy efficient air conditioners through the introduction of
smaller diameter copper tubes for heat exchanger. Today, with the launch of the
upgraded star-rating labeling program, Indian consumers can now buy air
conditioners that save energy and money. We do appreciate the admirable work
done by BEE and will continue to support it in its endeavor to promote and
implement the star labeling program across the country.”
The
star labeling program for air-conditioners, frost free refrigerators, tubular
florescent lights, and distribution transformers began in May 2006 in a
voluntary phase. In the air conditioner segment, 70% of the organized players
adopted it in the voluntary stage, which prompted BEE to make it mandatory from
7th January 2010. Since star labeling was a new concept for appliance showrooms
and end users, BEE partnered with Emerson Climate Technologies and International
Copper Promotion Council (India) in 2008 to start several initiatives to educate
the market on the benefits of star labeling. Training sessions were conducted
for store salesmen throughout India. After the education program, a survey was
conducted across 19 cities covering over 1,200 salesmen and 400 users to
understand their perception on star labeling. The survey results showed that end
users cared about energy efficiency, price and brand. The survey also indicated
that salesmen needed more education and sales tools to explain to the end user
the concept of payback period.
About BEE:The
Government of India set up Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) on March 1, 2002
under the provisions of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001. The mission of the
Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to assist in developing policies and strategies
with a thrust on self-regulation and market principles, within the overall
framework of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001 with the primary objective of
reducing energy intensity of the Indian economy. This will be achieved with
active participation of all stakeholders, resulting in accelerated and sustained
adoption of energy efficiency in all sectors.
About Emerson Climate Technologies: Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson, is
the world’s leading provider of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration
solutions for residential, industrial and commercial applications. The group
combines best-in-class technology with proven engineering, design, distribution,
educational and monitoring services to provide customized, integrated
climate-control solutions for customers worldwide. Emerson Climate Technologies’
innovative solutions, which include industry-leading brands such as Copeland
Scroll and White-Rodgers, improve human comfort, safeguard food and protect the
environment.
About International Copper Promotion Council
(India): The International
Copper Promotion Council (India), member of Copper Alliance. It is the Indian
arm of the International Copper Association, the leading not-for-profit
organization for the promotion and defence of copper globally. ICPCI is driven
by the same objective as that of its parent organisation, which is to ‘defend
and grow markets for copper based on its superior technical performance and its
contribution to a higher quality of life worldwide’. ICPCI contributes mainly
through its catalytic role, accelerating changes and transforming the long-term
markets for Copper in a sustainable way through its major initiatives like
Building Construction and Sustainable Electrical Energy. ICPCI’s activities
focus on helping end users to better understand and appreciate the positive
attributes of copper.
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