Air conditioners

The use of air-conditioners is still not widespread in Europe, but the electricity consumption of domestic air-conditioning is expected to more than double by 2020 and reach 75 TWh per year (equivalent to the residential electricity consumption of Spain). Unlike the US, Japan or Australia, the European Union has not done much to improve the energy performance of air conditioning products sold to its consumers. Energy labels were introduced in 2002, but poorly implemented as some studies reveal. So one can find in EU shops many products that are cheap to buy but which are very energy inefficient.
Fortunately, sales of energy class A-rated products have grown from 17% in 2005 to 61% in 2008, however the class A level was set very far from the efficiency of the best products available elsewhere (such as Japan).

What does the coolproducts campaign want?
•    A bold mandatory limitation of the consumption of both residential and office air-conditioners, so that Europe catches up with other regions in the world.
•    A mandatory 0 Watt mode avoiding electricity waste during no-use seasons.
•    A ban of climate damaging refrigerant fluids used in air-conditioners.
•    A more ambitious energy labelling genuinely promoting the most efficient products.

What’s the European Union doing and what’s our position?
A regulation for domestic air-conditioners, complemented by a revision of the energy labels, has been discussed since 2009. A final draft has been proposed for vote in May 2011 and could lead to the adoption of the measures by the end of 2011.
During the consultation process, some questionable aspects were maintained (such as keeping a favourable energy label for inefficient portable coolers or the lack of an ambitious long-term objective) and more positive ones brought in (such as a strengthening of the requirements for the small coolers or a bonus/malus scheme for climate damaging refrigerants).
As far as air-conditioners in the tertiary sector are concerned, a preparatory study has been launched in 2010, which means political discussions on where to set minimum performance requirements would not start for another year.

(Last update: May 2011)

Read more about this issue:
-Description of the last drafts on domestic air-co before vote and adoption (May 2011)
-Research carried out by BUND in Germany shows consumers are left in the dark about portable air conditioners.
-Find out more about the EU process on our expert pages.