Possible Labelling of Portable Space Conditioners and Spot Coolers

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Summary

Winton Sustainable Research Strategies Pty Ltd recently conducted a research study for the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts to assist with the development of labels for single-duct portable space conditioners and spot coolers.

Single duct portable space conditioners are unitary systems lying wholly within a conditioned space and drawing air from the conditioned space which then flows over the condenser and is exhausted via a single duct to the outside.
Spot coolers are also unitary systems lying wholly within a conditioned space but they have no duct or air interconnection to the outside. These are generally limited to specific commercial or industrial applications and are rarely used in the residential sector.

These two products have been exempted from energy labelling and MEPS regulations to date, partly because there has been no international test method for the determination of efficiency. However, recent substantial increases, from a low base, in the market share of these products has prompted government to propose regulatory measures for these products with respect to energy efficiency, one aspect of which includes labels to inform consumers of certain product characteristics.

The study involved a series of four focus group discussions in Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide with recent and prospective purchasers of "portable air-conditioners" (restricted at recruitment to single-duct portable space conditioners and spot coolers), 15 mystery shopper exercises with retailers, and a working session with industry members who observed the focus groups.

This page last modified 04 February 2010