Hasnita A Majid/Ting Kheng Siong, Channel NewsAsia 31 Mar 09;
SINGAPORE : From next month, all clothes dryers sold in Singapore will be labelled according to their energy efficiency, with ticks ranging from zero to four. The ones with four ticks are the most energy efficient.
The move is an extension of the National Environment Agency's (NEA) Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme introduced last year, which covered air-conditioners and refrigerators.
NEA said that clothes dryers, like air-conditioners and refrigerators, are energy-intensive appliances.
A 2005 survey showed that clothes dryers accounted for approximately 8 per cent of the average energy consumption in a typical five-room flat.
The agency added that with labelling, consumers can easily compare the energy efficiency of different clothes dryers of similar capacity and the energy savings from operating more efficient products.
Also from April 1, buyers of new passenger cars and light goods vehicles will be able to know how fuel efficient their vehicles are. This is when the Mandatory Fuel Economy Labelling Scheme comes into effect.
Under the scheme, new passenger cars and light goods vehicles must carry a label indicating the amount of fuel needed by the vehicle to run 100 kilometres.
With this information, car buyers can compare the fuel consumption of vehicles of similar engine capacity.
Dealerships said they are not passing on the costs of labelling - for now. Most authorised agents have already registered their models and will display the Fuel Economy Label on Wednesday.
However, not all cars currently come with fuel consumption data. In such cases, dealerships have until October 1 to comply with the new rules. - CNA/ms
Clothes dryers now carry labels on energy efficiency
Straits Times 1 Apr 09;
FROM today, all clothes dryers sold here will have to be labelled according to their energy efficiency, in an extension of the National Environment Agency's (NEA) mandatory labelling scheme.
The scheme, introduced last year, also covers air-conditioners and refrigerators sold in Singapore.
The yellow-and-blue labels allow consumers to easily compare the energy efficiency of different clothes dryers of similar capacity, and the energy savings from operating more efficient products.
The appliances are rated by the number of ticks awarded by the NEA. An appliance with a poor energy rating carries zero ticks, while the maximum four ticks mean the appliance is the most energy efficient.
NEA chief executive officer Andrew Tan said energy labelling will help raise public awareness about efficient consumption and running costs of appliances, so that people can make more informed choices when making purchases.
'Consumers will also enjoy higher energy savings by using the more energy-efficient appliances.'
According to the NEA, air-conditioners and refrigerators are known to take up as much as 50 per cent of a typical household's utility bill, while clothes dryers can take up as much as 8 per cent of the average energy consumption in a typical five-room flat.
Energy labels were first introduced here in 2002 for voluntary use by retailers of household appliances.
Regionally, Thailand first introduced mandatory labelling for refrigerators 11 years ago, followed by the Philippines in 2000.
The long-term goal, Mr Tan said, is to set standards for energy-intensive appliances in Singapore, such that only the more energy-efficient ones will be sold.
Also from today, buyers of new cars and light goods vehicles will be able to know how fuel efficient their vehicles are.
Vehicles will display a fuel economy label, which indicates the amount of fuel used for every 100km travelled.
The information is meant to help car buyers compare the fuel consumption of vehicles of similar engine capacity.
The NEA said most authorised car dealers have already complied with the new regulation and registered their car models.
However, a six-month extension - till Oct 1 - will be granted for existing car models, for which fuel consumption data is not yet available, to comply with the new regulation.
AMRESH GUNASINGHAM
