Families to save HK$300m a year on electricity with new efficiency ratings

Higher energy efficiency standards for three common types of appliance will help households save HK$300 million a year on electricity, officials say.

The changes affect air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines - which account for about half of household energy consumption - and will come into effect in November next year, giving retailers and manufacturers time to adjust.

Officials said the changes would keep Hong Kong in line with labelling in other jurisdictions, including mainland China, Europe and South Korea, and also take into account the emergence of new technology. This includes split-type air conditioners with a variable frequency drive, which are a third more efficient than fixed frequency appliances.

Besides split-type air conditioners - which are mounted on walls rather than windows - the variable frequency technology is also being used in some fridges and washing machines.

Frank Chan Fan, director of the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Department, said the more efficient products were about 10 per cent more expensive than their rivals, but hoped prices could fall as more products entered the market.

"The price will be determined by market competition," he said.