Supplementary Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement: Introducing measured EER and COP levels for air conditioners in Australia on 1 October 2009

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Summary

This Supplementary Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) was prepared by EnergyConsult Pty Ltd for the Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee, which reports to the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE). The MCE determines end-use equipment energy efficiency regulatory proposals involving all Australian governments (Commonwealth, state and territory) and the New Zealand Government. In September 2008, the South Australian Premier wrote to the Prime Minister and other first ministers calling for:

(a) the commencement date of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) to be brought forward from April 2010 to October 2009; and

(b) that a MEPS level that is 10 per cent more stringent be introduced in 2012.

This Supplementary Consultation Regulatory Impact Statement (RIS) has been prepared to assess the impact of the South Australian Premier's first proposal (a). It considers the impact of introducing measured heating and cooling levels (referred to as the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Coefficient of Performance (COP)) for air conditioners, on 1 October 2009.

This date is six months ahead of the recommended introduction for new annualised MEPS which are to be introduced on 1 April 2010, incorporating non-operational power, and calculated based on an assumed number of operational hours. The primary objective of this proposal is to maximise the potential of energy and emissions savings and the net present value (NPV) of the annualised MEPS program, which is planned for introduction in April 2010. Additionally, this proposal could potentially contribute to better management of peak electrical demand over the Australian summer period. More stringent EER and COP levels are expected to be implemented by grandfathering the existing registered product which does not meet the specified EER and COP levels, to restrict their import or manufacture from 1 October 2009. All new products registered after 1 October 2009 will also be required to meet the new standards for annualised MEPS to be introduced on 1 April 2009. These standards are yet to be finalised.

This page last modified 28 April 2009