ShareIndia tests expose AC inefficiencies at higher temperatures
In India, air conditioners are responsible for peak energy consumption in urban districts.
Split air conditioners (ACs) represent the largest growing sector in India, accounting for 61% of the AC market.
With extreme weather events, heat waves and heat island effects becoming common, testing of ACs must become stringent to ensure real world performance.
Responsible consumers are expected to buy air conditioners, star labelled on their energy efficiency to save energy, costs and the climate.
But new results from testing of split room air conditioners (RACs) released by the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) show that during high summers, when temperatures are in the 40-50°C range, a "5-star" rated split AC becomes worse than a 2- or 1-star rated unit.
It starts consuming 10-28% more power than its declared capacity; and cooling capacity drops by about 30%.
Air conditioners are responsible for peak energy consumption across cities in India. In Delhi, air conditioning accounts for about 28% of the total monthly electricity consumption during the hottest months.
The CSE calls on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to tighten energy efficiency standards and test procedures to reduce the margin of deterioration in the real world.
It also notes that India’s energy efficiency standards are below those of many other countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, Japan, Korea, South Africa and the USA.
With extreme weather events, heat waves and heat island effects becoming common, testing of ACs must become stringent to ensure real world performance.
Responsible consumers are expected to buy air conditioners, star labelled on their energy efficiency to save energy, costs and the climate.
But new results from testing of split room air conditioners (RACs) released by the Centre of Science and Environment (CSE) show that during high summers, when temperatures are in the 40-50°C range, a "5-star" rated split AC becomes worse than a 2- or 1-star rated unit.
It starts consuming 10-28% more power than its declared capacity; and cooling capacity drops by about 30%.
Air conditioners are responsible for peak energy consumption across cities in India. In Delhi, air conditioning accounts for about 28% of the total monthly electricity consumption during the hottest months.
The CSE calls on the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to tighten energy efficiency standards and test procedures to reduce the margin of deterioration in the real world.
It also notes that India’s energy efficiency standards are below those of many other countries including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU, Japan, Korea, South Africa and the USA.