The new energy rating label that’ll change the way you shop for air conditioners in Australia

Australia’s energy rating labels on air conditioners are about to undergo a makeover with a new design to make it easier for consumers to know which one is best for where they live. HAVE YOUR SAY

EXCLUSIVE

AUSTRALIA’S energy rating labels on air conditioners are about to undergo a makeover with a new design to make it easier for consumers to know which one is best for where they live.

The Morrison Government has told News Corp Australia that the new labels will be introduced to help consumers cut their energy bills.

The label will display the well-known energy star ratings alongside new annual energy consumption figures for three different climate zones, rather than just one.

Airconditioner models will then be rated by how efficiently they work within each zone.

The new labels apply to single and double duct portable air conditioners, double duct portable reverse cycle evaporative coolers and ducted airconditioning.

What do you think of the new labels? Tell us below.

Barnaby boasts as PM reveals new coal power plan

Aussies keep aircon on for pets, even under the doona

The current Energy Rating Label. Picture: Energy.gov

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the new labels will be available for suppliers and retailers as early as next week after a new determination under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (GEMS) Act 2012 is published to change the regulatory requirements for air conditioners.

They will be optional to use at first, but will become mandatory by April 2020.

The move comes after the COAG Energy Council agreed in December last year to reform the energy efficiency regulation of air conditioners and bring in a new label.

The Council recognised that changes to the regulations were needed as the method for rating the energy efficiency of air conditioners, including that used for the Energy Rating Label, have not kept pace with technology and market changes.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor is bring in the new labels. Picture Kym Smith

The current rating method does not take account of the significant impact climate has on the performance and use of air conditioners.

Consumers' inability to compare the energy efficiency of portable air conditioners with other types of air conditioners was also a factor.

“Higher minimum energy performance standards will prevent the least efficient air conditioners from being supplied into Australia, reducing both energy costs and consumption,” Mr Taylor said.

The new energy rating label if you have ducted airconditioning. Picture: Energy.gov

Another example of what the new energy label will look like if you have aircon. Picture: Energy.gov

“For example, a household in western Sydney could save $200 a year using the new label to choose an air conditioner for their two bedroom apartment.”

The Airconditioning & Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association’s General Manager Greg Picker told News Corp the new labelling comes after similar labels have been introduced in Europe and the US.

“The important thing is that when you buy an air conditioner in Darwin, it needs to be different to when you buy it in Canberra,” he said.

The new energy rating label if you have double duct portable reverse cycle evaporative airconditioning. Picture: Energy.gov

The new energy rating label if you have double duct portable aircon. Picture: Energy.gov

“It will help save energy and reduce people’s costs and greenhouse gases as airconditioners are the main reason why we get spikes in summer and winter.

“It can make things more energy efficient so we don’t have to put more infrastructure in to cope with demand for energy.”

Consumer Electronics Suppliers Association General Manager Craig Doyle told News Corp the new labels were welcomed by suppliers and retailers.

The new energy rating label if you have single duct portable aircon. Picture: Supplied

Mr Doyle said they would meet with the government’s Department of Environment and Energy next week to discuss how they will roll out education around the labels to suppliers, retailers and consumers.

“Consumers are becoming more aware of their energy consumption they will now be able to understand their airconditioner's energy rating in kilowatt hours in three different climate zones and be able to compare products,” he said.

“But they could see two different labels in the market for a while — and there will need to be a way to compare the old label they know and the new one coming in.

Sarah Prgomelja, 30 and fiancee Jamie Hayman, 29, who have a French bulldog named Edgar who's 5. They leave the aircon on when they go out to keep their Edgar cool and even sleep with it on all the time when its hot, even when under the doona at night. Picture: Richard Dobson

“We also need to know how the suppliers will calculate the energy consumption in each climate zone, which can be a bit complicated to understand for consumers.”

The new labels come as the International Energy Agency’s prediction that global energy demand from air conditioners is expected to triple by 2050.

They also come as Scott Morrison unveiled details of the government’s energy plan this week, as he revealed a shortlist of 12 projects the government could underwrite in a bid to make the energy market more reliable.