Doha: Qatar has framed new standards and specifications for air conditioners for local use that comply with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) energy-efficiency standards.
Standards for other electrical appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines are also being developed.
Air conditioner energy efficiency classification will also be extended to include central cooling systems used widely at commercial and industrial buildings.
Once the standards are enforced, appliances will be pre-approved before importing and those that do not meet the new standards will be banned from entering the Qatari market.
“Standards, set in collaboration with authorities concerned, will be effective soon,” utility distributor, Qatar General Electricity and Water Corporation (Kahramaa), said in a release yesterday.
The standards were framed after a technical study of energy efficiency systems for air conditioners in Qatar by Kahramaa.
Air conditioners consume about 65 percent of the total electricity consumption in Qatar, which rises in summer. The labelling will help customers choose air conditioners and other appliances based on their energy-efficiency and cost efficiency.
The energy efficiency system consists of four categories (from three to six). As per the standards, the minimum energy efficiency rating in Qatar is the three star air-conditioner, which is equal to Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) 8.5.
This shows how well an air conditioner works based on the power it is using. It cuts power consumption by 12 percent compared with an unclassified appliance. Power saving by a six star air conditioner amounts to 32 percent and more.
An EER rating higher than 10 for air conditioners is generally considered the most cost-effective.
Kahramaa, beside the new regulations for air conditioners and thermal insulators, is working to set a labelling system for home appliances as well.
Kahramaa plans to approve energy efficiency regulations for refrigerators and freezers by next year. Later in 2016, washing machines will join the standard specifications.
Kahramaa has set ambitious plans and programmes to define the approved standards that should be observed to issue a building permit for the thermal insulation of ceilings and walls of buildings under construction. Thermal insulation maintains indoor temperature and reduces demand for cooling by 40 percent.
The new standards were set by Kahramaa’s Conservation and Energy Efficiency Department and they are approved by the WTO. The Peninsula
