More efficient appliances in the offing

Higher energy efficiency standards to apply to fridges, air-conditioners in 2 years
Amresh Gunasingham, Straits Times 29 Apr 09;

TWO ticks and you're in. One or none, and you're out.

Under a new easy-to-follow ratings system for energy efficiency, major home appliances will need to get more than one tick out of four to be sold here in two years' time.

The higher standards - some appliances now have no ticks - mean that 20 per cent of existing refrigerators and air-conditioners will be phased out of the market by 2011.

The Minimum Energy Performance Standard, or MEPS, scheme, run by the National Environment Agency (NEA), aims to encourage consumers to conserve energy.

The appliances which must comply are fridges and air-conditioners, which can contribute up to 50 per cent of a typical utilities bill.

The tick ratings, which indicate energy consumption, are based on criteria set by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO).

Suppliers and retailers have been given a grace period of two years to phase out energy inefficient models that do not meet the new standards.

And retailers appear to be heeding the call.

In the first three months of this year, only 18 per cent of new air-conditioning models registered under NEA were zero or one-tick models, while no energy inefficient refrigerator models were registered.

Mr Andy Toh, an operations manager at electrical retailer Harvey Norman, said consumers like energy efficient appliances due to their long-term cost savings.

An energy efficient refrigerator with a three-tick rating can cut up to 30 per cent off a household's utility bill compared with a zero-tick rated fridge, he said.

The measures are part of the $1 billion sustainable development report released on Monday to enhance energy efficiency and sustainability standards here.

Speaking at the launch, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan said: 'If we want to face the challenges of the future - living in a more resource-scarce world while also tackling global warming - then we have to start taking action now.'

The Government also introduced water efficiency labels for appliances such as taps, cisterns and urinals earlier this year. This may be extended to shower heads and washing machines.

From July, new developments and renovated properties will also have to install more efficient low-capacity flushing cisterns.

amreshg@sph.com.sg

Rating energy efficiency

# Energy labelling was made mandatory for air-conditioners and refrigerators in January last year. It was extended to clothes dryers earlier this month.

# An appliance with a poor efficiency rating carries a zero tick, while an 'excellent' rating carries the maximum four ticks.

# From 2011, all refrigerators and air-conditioners sold here must meet minimum energy performance standards.

# About 20 per cent of the 475 air-con models and 403 refrigerator models registered under the National Environment Agency will be phased out in two years' time.

# From July, new and renovated properties must install flushing cisterns with at least a 'one-tick' rating.

AMRESH GUNASINGHAM

Rating energy efficiency

# Energy labelling was made mandatory for air-conditioners and refrigerators in January last year. It was extended to clothes dryers earlier this month.

# An appliance with a poor efficiency rating carries a zero tick, while an 'excellent' rating carries the maximum four ticks.

# From 2011, all refrigerators and air-conditioners sold here must meet minimum energy performance standards.

# About 20 per cent of the 475 air-con models and 403 refrigerator models registered under the National Environment Agency will be phased out in two years' time.

# From July, new and renovated properties must install flushing cisterns with at least a 'one-tick' rating.

AMRESH GUNASINGHAM