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Actual energy consumption of top-runner refrigerators in Japan.

Author(s) : TSURUSAKI T., IWAFUNE Y., SHIBATA Y., et al.

Type of article: Periodical article

Summary

In Japan, energy efficiency standards for domestic refrigerators were established in 1999 in accordance with the guidelines delineated by the Top-Runner program. The goal was an improvement in energy efficiency of approximately 30% compared with the year 1998 by the year 2004. This goal has been not only met but exceeded: the average annual electricity consumption of products shipped in 2004 was 290 kWh/year, a 55% reduction of the 1998 figure. Electricity consumption of refrigerators is measured using the Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) test procedures. However, existing surveys show significant difference in electricity consumption between the actual and the labeled. This paper analyses the difference between actual values and labelled values of electricity consumption. Actual values were obtained by conducting two experiments. The first experiment measured electricity consumption of two high efficient refrigerators in a laboratory simulating actual use conditions. The refrigerators were found to consume two to three times more electricity than under JIS test conditions. The second experiment monitored over 100 refrigerators in households. According to the first year's result, the average annual electricity consumption was 65% larger than the JIS test value. Energy efficiency of refrigerator has been improved, but the significant difference in electricity consumption between the actual and the labelled might damage the public trust in labelling. The government began studying new standard and test procedure of refrigerators in September 2005. The JIS test procedures were revised to be much similar to real usage in January 2006 and the standards will be established by the end of the year.

Details

  • Original title: Actual energy consumption of top-runner refrigerators in Japan.
  • Record ID : 2006-2953
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Jyukankyo Res. Inst. - 9 p.; fig.; tabl.; 9 ref.
  • Publication date: 2006

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