Revised Minimum Energy Performance Standards will mean greater energy cost savings for consumers

Singapore, 25 November 2016 – From December 2017, households can look forward to having more energy efficient refrigerator models in the market and reap energy cost savings from using them. This is part of the National Environment Agency’s (NEA) continual effort to help households become more energy efficient and contribute to Singapore’s Climate Action Plan to reduce carbon emissions.

2          Refrigerators account for about 18 per cent of total household electricity consumption (refer to Annex A for a breakdown of household energy consumption by appliance). To help households save on energy costs and spur the supply of more energy efficient refrigerators, NEA will from 1 December 2017 raise the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for refrigerators by between 5 per cent and 13 per cent, depending on the refrigerator category.

3          The least energy efficient 1-tick refrigerator models, representing about 15 per cent of the models currently available in the market, do not meet the new MEPS and will be phased out when the new standards are introduced. There will still be a wide range of refrigerator models available to consumers, and suppliers are also expected to introduce new models over time. By choosing more energy efficient refrigerators, households can expect to enjoy more cost savings over the operating lifespan of the refrigerators and also help reduce Singapore's carbon footprint. A household is estimated to save about $75 in electricity bills per year by using a 3-tick instead of a 1-tick model.

4          Since the introduction of mandatory energy labelling in 2008 and MEPS for refrigerators in 2011, the average efficiency of refrigerators has improved by about 26 per cent, resulting in more than $18 million in annual energy cost savings for households, or the yearly electricity consumption of around 14,000 homes. These measures have also led to a total carbon abatement of about 0.03 MT - equivalent to the annual carbon emissions of close to 9,000 cars.

5          Importers, manufacturers and retailers have been given early notice of the enhanced MEPS to prepare for its implementation. NEA will continue to review MEPS to assess whether standards for household appliances should be raised.

6          More details on MEPS for refrigerators can be found at www.nea.gov.sg/els. Households can also use the Life Cycle Cost Calculator found on the E2Singapore website (http://www.e2singapore.gov.sg/) and in NEA’s myENV mobile app to determine the potential cost savings from using more energy efficient appliances.

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For more information, please contact us at 1800-CALL NEA (1800-2255 632) or submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

ANNEX A

Household Energy Consumption Profile

Source: Household Energy Consumption Survey 2012

1          A total of 560 households living in different housing types participated in a household energy consumption study conducted by the National Environment Agency (NEA) between December 2011 and April 2012. The objectives of the study were to investigate and determine:

• The ownership pattern of various home appliances across different housing types,
• The energy consumption of each appliance as a proportion of the overall energy consumption in each housing type, and
• Appliance usage patterns, energy conservation habits and perceptions of households.

 2          In order to capture the electricity consumption of appliances accurately, meters were installed for major appliances in participating households. Households were also interviewed on their energy consumption habits and perceptions about energy conservation.

3          For the full results of the household energy consumption survey, please refer to http://www.e2singapore.gov.sg/Households/Saving_Energy_At_Home/Energy_Consumption_Survey.aspx