Gadgets Now Bureau22 Jun, 2022, 08:41AM IST
Government announces new star rating for ACs: What it means for buyers, users and more
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The energy rating rules for air conditioners (ACs) are set to change from next month, July 1 to be precise. These new ratings will be in continuation of Bureau of Energy Efficiency’s (BEE) notification dated April 19 regarding the implementation of the revised energy consumption standards for ACs in the country. The new rules mean higher energy efficiency guidelines for 5-star models. Here’s what the new guidelines means for buyers, users and more.
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What is star rating
A star rating of an AC is an indicator of its energy efficiency. This rating is awarded by BEE or Bureau of Energy Efficiency. A star rating aims to help buyers understand the power required to run an AC. Here, the more the stars, the more the energy savings — and lower the bill. These ratings are based on EER or Energy Efficiency Ratio — a grading system introduced by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). The grading system is meant for home appliances — mainly air conditioners and refrigerators. Buyers can see energy ratings with ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficient Ratio) rating standard, which was made mandatory from 2018. Under ISEER rating standard, the existing EER star ratings were revised. The idea of ISEER and EER ratings is same. ISEER is actually the ratio of CSTL (Cooling Seasonal Total Load) to CSEC (Cooling Seasonal Energy Consumption). In simple words, it is the ratio of the annual amount of heat the AC can remove to the total amount of energy it can consume in a year. The energy efficiency of any AC is calculated on the average performance based on temperatures — outdoor — between 24 degrees to 43 degrees celsius.
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What do the new star ratings mean for existing ACs
Once the new star ratings come into effect, the existing ACs’ energy ratings will go down by one star lower. So, a 5-star AC purchased this summer will become 4-star from next month.
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Is the star rating same for Windows and Split ACs
No, the star rating is not the same for Windows and Split ACs. There is a slight change in the ratings of these two kinds of ACs.
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How will this affect AC prices
The new ratings are likely to push up AC prices by 7-10% due to higher cost of production.
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Why are 5 star ACs expensive
AC manufacturers are required to change the design parameters like increasing airflow, surface area of copper tubes and have efficient compressor to increase their energy efficiency.
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Will any other product ratings too be revised
Not this year. In an announcement earlier this month, BEE said that there will be no change in star ratings for frost free and direct cool refrigerators this year. However, from January 2023, the energy ratings of refrigerators too will be revised.
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”May not be easy to make 5 star refrigerators”
Companies told Economic Times that the change in the guidelines would make it difficult to manufacture high energy rating refrigerators like 4-star and 5-star due to a significant increase in cost.
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The revision of star ratings has been delayed by 6 months
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was originally scheduled to change the energy rating norms for ACs in January 2022. The same was delayed as manufacturers had requested BEE to delay it by six months so that they could clear last two year’s inventory which was impacted due to Covid lockdown.
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When will the next change in energy ratings come
The next change in the rating norms for AC is scheduled to be announced in 2025. The new energy ratings that will come into effect from July 1 will be applicable till December 2024.
