Consumers should read through seasonal performance factor indicators for split-level air conditioners and not just their energy-efficiency labels before making a purchase, the Consumer Council said on Tuesday.
The call came after the watchdog tested 12 two-horsepower models priced between HK$9,888 and HK$20,580, with seven of them being cooling-only models and the other five also having heating capabilities.
All models were rated Grade 1 under the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department’s (EMSD) energy-efficiency labeling scheme.
The council found that two of the cooling-only models and two of the cooling and heating models provided less capacity than claimed.
“Even after checking to make sure [the appliance] is of Grade 1, what you can do is to refer to the CSPF (cooling energy efficiency) and also the HSPF (heating energy efficiency) factors," said the council's chief executive Gilly Wong.
"From our findings this time, the maximum difference can be about 27 percent and 10 percent respectively, for cooling and also heating.
“By looking at these factors, you can identify a product that can offer you the best energy-efficiency performance,” she added.
Based on the current electricity cost of HK$1.70 per kWh, consumers can save around HK$400 a year by using cooling models that are more energy efficient if they are turned on for 12 hours daily for 180 days.
For heating functions, the savings only amount to only HK$17, but that's based on the assumption the machine is in use for 12 hours daily for just 25 days.
As such, the council suggested the EMSD upgrade its energy label grading standards to help consumers save on energy use and encourage suppliers to provide more energy-efficient products.
It also urged sellers to extend product coverage, after finding seven models only provided one-year full warranties and that one model offered no warranty renewal options.
The consumer watchdog said consumers are required to pay maintenance costs for the machines after the period, such as on-site inspections and scaffolding.
Energy efficiency varies for even best split-level ACs
2025-04-15 HKT 12:37
