The Ministry of Economic Affairs is accelerating the phase-out of fixed-speed air conditioners and recently announced an increase in the "Permissible Energy Consumption Standard" (MEPS) for air conditioners, expected to take effect in January 2025. The Bureau of Energy estimates that the implementation of the new energy standard will save approximately 7.118 million kWh of electricity annually, saving NT$20.22 million in electricity bills. The Bureau of Energy also reminds the public that when purchasing air conditioners, in addition to choosing inverter models, it is also helpful to identify Class 1 energy-efficient products and compare the CSPF value on the rating label; higher values indicate greater energy savings.
The Energy Bureau has raised energy efficiency standards for air conditioners, phasing out energy-consuming fixed-frequency air conditioners.
Taiwan has been experiencing scorching temperatures recently, and staying indoors to cool down is the preferred way for many people to escape the heat. However, among all electrical appliances, air conditioners actually consume the most electricity. According to the Industrial Technology Research Institute's 2021 "Household Electricity Consumption Habits Survey," air conditioners account for the largest share of household electricity consumption (29.46%), followed by refrigerators (11.98%) and lighting (9.92%). In the summer months, air conditioners account for nearly half of household electricity consumption (49.25%).
According to the Bureau of Energy, residential electricity consumption accounted for approximately 18% of national electricity consumption in 2021. To reduce residential electricity consumption, the Bureau has announced that it will increase the Mean Operating EPS (MEPS) for ductless air conditioners (commonly known as air conditioners) in 2025, guiding the industry to introduce higher-efficiency products and phasing out high-energy-consuming fixed-frequency air conditioners.
Air conditioning efficiency is measured by CSPF value; energy benchmark raised by 3-5%.
Starting from 2017, the indicator for determining the energy efficiency of air conditioners has been changed from the original "Energy Efficiency Ratio" (EER) to the "Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor" (CSPF) which takes into account different outdoor temperatures and operating conditions.
According to regulations, the CSPF value of air conditioners must not fall below the benchmark published by the Bureau of Energy. For example, for a split-type air conditioner with a rated cooling rating of 4kW or less (suitable for rooms of 6-7 pings), its CSPF value must not fall below the benchmark of 3.9. For Class 1 energy-efficiency products, the standard is even higher, not falling below 5.92.
The Bureau of Energy stated that this new energy efficiency regulation raises the benchmark by 3-5% compared to the previous benchmark announced in 2016. For split-type air conditioners under 4kW, the benchmark value has been raised to 4.1, while for Class 1 energy-efficient products, it is 6.23. According to the Bureau, a 0.1 increase in the CSPF value can save approximately 2-3% of air conditioner electricity.
The new energy efficiency benchmark for air conditioners will be implemented in January 2025. The Energy Bureau estimates that after implementation, it will save approximately 7.118 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, saving 20.22 million yuan in electricity bills.
Source: Environmental Information Center (https://e-info.org.tw/node/234651)
