On January 06, 2020 the central govt. in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has notified new energy performance standards for room Air Conditioner (AC) on 30th October 2019. Under the ambit of BEE star-labelling program vide the notification, the default temperature setting for all ACs has been made mandatory at 24°C with effect from January 1, 2020.
New Energy Performance Standards set:
i.ISEER new range: The Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER) as per the new standards will also be ranging from 3.30 – 5.00 for split ACs and 2.70 – 3.50 for window air conditioners. This will become effective from January 1, 2021 onwards.
ii.ISEER: It is the energy performance index used for RACs. The energy efficiency ratio assessment is based on the bin hours defined in (International Standards Organization) ISO 16358.
iii.AC types notified for 24°C default temp setting: All brands and types of ACs like Multi-Stage Capacity ACs, Unitary ACs, Split ACs from 1-5 star ratings based on relative energy efficiencies upto to a rated cooling capacity of 10,465 Watts (9,000 kcal/hour) and also manufactured, commercially purchased or sold in India will have to comply to the twenty-four degree Celsius default AC setting from January 2020 onwards.
iv.BEE’s star labelling program: In 2006, the BEE launched a voluntary star labelling program for fixed-speed room air conditioners (RACs). The star labelling program covers both fixed and inverter RAC up to a cooling capacity of 10,465 watts (2.97 Tonne of Refrigeration-TR).
- Regulations made: This voluntary program became mandatory in January 12, 2009.
- Later in 2015 voluntary star labelling program for inverter room air conditioners was launched which was made mandatory from January 1, 2018.
v.Energy performance due to the program: This continuous enhancement in energy efficiency resulted in improvement of about 43% in minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) for Split ACs.
About Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
Fact- BEE develops policies and strategies with the main objective to reduce energy intensity of the Indian economy
Founded- 1 March 2002.
Headquarters- New Delhi.
Act- Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
Agency responsible- Ministry of Power.
Director General(DG)- Abhay Bakre.
