Channel NewsAsia 22 Aug 14;
SINGAPORE: Energy labels on air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers will be revised to make it easier for consumers to choose more energy-efficient models, the National Environment Agency (NEA) said on Friday (Aug 22).
Under the new rating system, to be launched on Sep 1, the most efficient models of air-conditioners and clothes dryers will be awarded five ticks, compared with four in the previous system. Labels for refrigerators will continue to have a maximum of four ticks as the current models available here do not comply with the requirements of the five-tick system.
One tick will replace zero ticks as the lowest efficiency band, following consumer feedback that a zero-tick band was confusing, the NEA said.
The new energy labels will also indicate the annual estimated energy cost of using the product for a typical household. This will help consumers better understand how the energy performance of the appliance they buy will translate into cost savings, the agency said.
- CNA/cy
New energy-labels and rating system for electrical appliances
Paul Lim Today Online 22 Aug 14;
SINGAPORE - Beginning next month, consumers looking to buy energy-efficient air conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers will be able to do so more easily.
The appliances registered under the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be given a new energy label, alongside a rescale of the energy rating system Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme (MELS).
With the revised MELS, the most efficient models will now be awarded five ticks, instead of just four ticks. The energy labels will also reflect the annual estimated energy cost of using the product, so that buyers are more aware of their appliance-expenditure.
Currently, the majority of refrigerator and air-conditioner models are categorised into just two energy efficient bands. This means that within the two bands, there can be a wide range of differing levels of energy efficiency. For example, the most efficient air-conditioner models are almost 50 per cent more efficient than borderline models in that band.
With this new system in place, consumers will be able to better identify energy-efficient products and even generate savings for themselves, said the NEA. This revision was done due to a greater demand for more energy efficient product, aided by the MELS and technological developments.
Revised energy labels for air-cons and clothes dryers
Audrey Tan The Straits Times AsiaOne 25 Aug 14;
Buying home appliances that can help cut electricity bills will become easier.
Air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers will have new labels that more accurately reflect their energy efficiency.
This comes amid growing sophistication of both producers and consumers in the market for greener products.
For instance, in 2008, only less than 10 per cent of refrigerators sold here were rated four-ticks, indicating that they were the most energy-efficient. This grew to more than 40 per cent in 2012.
The number of models of four-tick chillers in the market has also increased sharply, from about 20 in 2008 to nearly 300 in June this year.
To help consumers make even greener choices, the National Environment Agency is tweaking its labelling from Sept 1.
The most efficient models will be given five ticks, instead of the current four.
The least green products will have one tick. In the present system a product could receive a no-tick rating.
"Consumers can look forward to having better energy-efficient home appliances and better identify models which will translate to greater cost savings," said the agency in a statement.
These new labels, which are mandatory, will apply to air-conditioners and clothes dryers.
However, refrigerator ratings will only go up to four ticks as current models in the market do not even meet the revised four-tick rating.
Manufacturers of the three types of appliances are also required to state on the label the estimated energy cost of using the products in one year.
This is based on typical usage, energy consumption and an electricity tariff of 27 cents - the five-year average cost from 2009 to 2013.
The new labels will allow consumers to distinguish the top-performing green appliances.
For example, about 230 air-conditioner models have the maximum four ticks now.
This is despite some models being almost 50 per cent more efficient than others.
With the revision, only about 20 of the most-efficient models will get the new maximum five ticks.
The changes to differentiate products are a good move, said business analyst Allan Chia of SIM University, as consumers "should always be provided with sufficient information to consider before making a purchase".
Welcoming the new rating, housewife June Tan, 53, said: "Many ticks are better as it is more visual for me, and those who are less educated."
