Potential electricity savings by implementing energy labels for room air conditioner in Malaysia

Abstract

As a result of rapid economic growth in the past, the usage of residential electrical appliances for the last two decades has increased rapidly in Malaysia. Like other developing countries with hot and humid climates, she has been experiencing dramatic growth in the number of air conditioners from 13,251 units in 1970 to 253,399 in 1991, and it will be about 1,511,276 in the year 2020. In order to reduce energy consumption in the residential sector, the Department of Electricity and Gas Supply considers implementing energy labels for household electrical appliances, including room air conditioners, sometime in the coming year. The purpose of the energy labels is to provide consumers a guideline to compare the energy efficiency of the appliances. This paper attempts to calculate the potential electricity savings by implementing energy labels for room air conditioners in this country. The potential electricity savings is predicted based on three scenarios, namely, minimum expected, nominal and maximum expected. The study found that in the energy savings view point, introducing energy labels for this appliance is very beneficial in this country. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.