Date: 10/01/2023
Relevance: GS-3: Climate Change, Environment, Energy and related issues.
Key Phrases: Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Energy Efficient, Star Rating, Energy Efficiency Ratio, End User, Ministry of Power, Entry-level buyers, Gross Capacity, Net Capacity, Standards & Labeling programme.
Context:
- Considering the Bureau of Energy Efficiency's (BEE) revised standards are now in effect as of January 1 of this year, prices of ceiling fans are projected to rise by 8% to 20%.
Key Highlights:
- Star labeling denotes energy savings of minimum 30% for one-star rated fans to over 50% for five-star rated fans.
- The adoption of the new standards leads to cost increase of 5% to 20% as high energy efficient five-star rated fans will require new imported motors and electronic components.
Revised Norms:
- Under the new mandate, manufacturers would have to display the star
ratings on their fans.
- The star rating is dependent on service value (air delivery in cubic meters per minute divided by energy consumption in wattage).
- The new regulations require separate star labeling for freezers and refrigerator provisioning units (storage section) of frost-free versions in addition to strengthening labeling.
- Another change in the recent star labeling that is happening is the
declaration of the net capacity of a refrigerator unit and not the gross
capacity.
- Gross capacity refers to the entire amount of liquid that can be stored in a unit, whereas net capacity refers to the usable capacity of any refrigerator.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
- The Bureau of Energy Efficiency is an agency of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Power created in March 2002 under the provisions of the nation's 2001 Energy Conservation Act.
- The agency's function is to develop programs which will increase the conservation and efficient use of energy in India.
- The mission of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency is to "institutionalize" energy efficiency services, enable delivery mechanisms in the country and provide leadership to energy efficiency in all sectors of the country.
Standards and Labeling programme
- The Ministry of Power has launched the Standards and Labeling
(S&L) Scheme under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
- The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) undertook the responsibility of the scheme.
- It was initiated to provide the consumer an informed choice about the energy saving and thereby the cost saving potential of the relevant marketed product.
- The energy efficiency labeling programs under BEE are intended to reduce the energy consumption of appliances without diminishing the services it provides to consumers.
- Star Rating
- The appliances with the lowest energy consumption in a product category are given the most stars and those with the highest energy consumption are given the least. More stars, the more energy efficient the appliance is.
- These stars usually range from one, being the least efficient to five, being the most efficient product in its category.
- Star Label Relevancy
- Technology evolves each passing year and so do their power efficiency figures. BEE understands this and hence updates their energy ratings every year.
- Updates depend on the newer technologies in each product
category.
- Hence, a product with 5-star ratings last year may be considered a 4-star rated product based on the updated norms in its category this year.
- Therefore, BEE continues to update the star rating and makes the energy rating programme better every passing year.
- Products notified under mandatory appliance
- Frost Free Refrigerators; Stationary Storage Type Electric Water Heater; Colour Television; Room Air Conditioner (Both Variable and Fixed Speed); Room Air Conditioners (RAC) (Cassette, Floor Standing Tower, Ceiling, Corner AC) Tubular Fluorescent Lamp (TFL); LED Lamps; Distribution Transformer; Direct Cool Refrigerator; Ceiling Fan; Refrigerators.
Effects of New Norms:
- On an average, ceiling fans account for 20% of the electricity
consumed by an average Indian household.
- These star-rated fans are ultimately going to benefit the end consumer and save energy and reduce carbon footprint.
- Although the price of ceiling fans will increase, the rating of fans will provide an opportunity for the manufacturers to raise consumer awareness about energy efficiency.
- Now consumers will get access to a superior product that consumes far less energy.
- There would be price increase to a certain extent as manufacturers will incur additional costs on account of modifications required in non-star rated fans to make them more efficient and compliant with the new star ratings.
- Based on Net storage difference, Now a customer can choose a refrigerator wisely based on the real storage capacity that is available from the company.
- Entry-level buyers will face a challenge as affordability costs will rise.
Conclusion:
- These revised norms are ultimately going to benefit the end consumer and save energy and reduce carbon footprint which are essential parts of sustainable development goals.
Source: The Hindu
Mains Question:
Q. What are the new revised norms given by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency for Star Labeling? Also, discuss the impacts of these norms. (250 Words)
