What Stricter AC Efficiency Standards Mean for Your Utility Bill

The summer season is yet to ablaze India this year, keeping in mind how the summer season may amplify the use of air conditioner(AC), the Centre is looking to make the efficiency standards more strict for ACs, reported Business Standard.

This will probably benefit the consumers because prices may go down due to the introduction of new and better production, according to a ScienceDirect study.

Besides, the customers may get the added benefit of less pollution, while also achieving more efficiency in cooling and controlling sudden power demand spikes — eventually slashing electricity bills.

According to the Business Standard, the Ministry of Power is planning to revise the Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (ISEER), a parameter used to measure the energy efficiency of ACs.

Calculated as the ratio of the cooling seasonal total load to the cooling seasonal energy consumption, the ISEER value may be raised from the current 3.5 to over 4 kilowatt-hours per kilowatt-hour (kwh/kwh) for one-star split ACs, with corresponding adjustments for other star ratings.

The ISEER value has been revised from 2.8 to 3.4 kWh/kWh during the last 15 years with current energy performance standards for split ACs ranging between 3.5 and 5.6 across all star levels. Meanwhile for unitary or window ACs, it ranges from 2.9 to 3.7, as per the Business Standard report.

Efficiency That Saves Money

A higher ISEER value signifies a greater energy-efficient air conditioner. For example, a 5-star AC with an ISEER of 6.2 is 24% more efficient than a 5-star AC with an ISEER of 5.

This revision, as cited by Business Standard, is part of Ministry of Power’s regular updates in collaboration with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), responds to the rising demand for ACs amid soaring temperatures across India.

Inefficient cooling units not only contribute to power surges but also pose chances of malfunction and eventual electrical fires during extreme heat putting lives at risk.

The ISEER value will be revised based on international standards. Currently, the power ministry and BEE are discussing the new values with stakeholders, including manufacturers, for all-star levels from 1 to 5, a government official told Business Standard.

“Once an agreement is reached and approved by the ministry, the new standards will be implemented in new products starting in 2027,” the official added.

Stricter air conditioner efficiency standards, supported by the government, can drive both energy savings and lower prices for consumers.

With improved efficiency and reduced costs, these standards promise a sustainable future for cooling solutions, benefiting both the environment and consumers alike.