CSE report on 5-star ACs, refrigerators confusing: RAMA

Mumbai, Aug 20 (PTI) Criticising CSE’s report that 5-starrated ACs and refrigerators become ‘energy inefficient’ whentemperature soars over 40 degrees Celsius, industry body RAMAsaid this will create confusion in the minds of the customerssince it furnishes skewed information. According to a latest report released by the Centre forScience and Environment (CSE), 5-star air conditioners becomeenergy inefficient, worse than 1-star rates as they consume 28per cent more power when temperature soars above 40 degrees. This is in contrast to the claims by Bureau of EnergyEfficiency (BEE) which says a 5-star AC is supposed to save 22per cent energy as compared to its 1-star counterpart. Refrigeration and Airconditioning Manufacturers’Association (RAMA), which along with BEE, launched the firstvoluntary labelling programme in 2008 that became mandatoryfrom 2010, said the report by CSE will create confusion in theminds of the consumers who believe such ratings signify lesserpower consumption by the product. "It is known that the power consumption of ACs willincrease with rise in the ambient temperature, and willdecrease with a drop in the ambient temperature. So, for agiven increase in temperature, the power consumption of a5-star air conditioner will be lower than that of a one-starmachine due to the technological efficiency of the machinewith a higher star rating," it said. RAMA said with the increase in demand for variouselectrically-operated appliances and the related surge inelectrical energy requirements, developed countries regulateand classify these products in bands for energy-efficiency. "This empowers the customer to take an informed choicewith respect to the requisite appliance, based on need as wellas affordability. Over recent years, this practice has beenadopted increasingly by several developing countries includingIndia," RAMA said. PTI PSK ARSABKRYS