The Hong Kong Consumer Council evaluated 14 models of “1 HP” net-cooling inverter window air conditioners on the market and found that the cooling capacity and energy efficiency levels marked on some samples tested were different from the test results. Among them, the cooling capacity of five models is lower than the claimed value, and the one model with the most deviation is nearly 5 percent below what is claimed. In addition, the energy efficiency of the samples tested varied. The energy efficiency figures among the 11 models that received the Grade 1 energy label varied by 13.3 percent.
The 14 “1-horsepower” net-cooling inverter window air-conditioner samples tested by the Consumer Council this time are priced between HK$3,669 (US$470) and HK$7,650 (US$980). The prices of some models include basic installation, while others charge installation fees ranging from HK$340 (US$44) to HK$560 (US$72)e. The two samples tied for the highest overall score of 4.5 are “CW-HU90AA” from Panasonic and “RC-HU90A” from Rasonic. Most of the other samples received a score of 4. As prices from different retailers can vary by hundreds or even thousands of dollars, the Consumer Council recommends that consumers should carefully compare all of the sales prices, after-sales services, and future maintenance offers before purchasing.
Many consumers’ primary requirement for an air conditioner is to be “cold enough” and hope that the cooling speed is fast, that is, the air conditioner can quickly discharge indoor heat to the outside. The test was conducted based on the maximum load condition of the samples and in accordance with international standards. The results for the samples tested showed that the cooling capacity of each sample ranged from 2.511 kilowatts (3.4 HP) to 2.852 kilowatts (3.8 HP). Five samples did not reach the claimed cooling capacity value, namely Midea “MW-09CRF8B,” Carrier “CHK09EAVX,” Toshiba “RAC-09G3CVRGR-HK,” Fortress “FWAD10IR23,” and Whirlpool “AWV09000R,” the difference ranges from 1.7 percent to 4.9 percent.
Among them, Toshiba “RAC-09G3CVRGR-HK,” Midea “MW-09CRF8B,” and Fortress “FWAD10IR23” show the largest disparity. The actual measured cooling capacity was 3.6 percent to 4.9 percent lower than the claimed value.
The Consumer Council pointed out that although the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labeling Scheme and the international practice allow the actual cooling capacity to differ from its claimed value by no more than 10 percent and the test results of the five models are within this range, there is obviously a discrepancy between the test results and the consumer’s expectation of the products, and the manufacturers concerned should improve their quality control to make the cooling capacity performance as close to that claimed as possible.
According to the latest “Hong Kong Energy End-use Data” from the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), nearly 40 percent of the total electricity consumption of residential buildings in Hong Kong in 2021 was used in conditioning. Thus, the power consumption of air conditioners is also an important concern for consumers. As the Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF) value of an air conditioner reflects its cooling efficiency, the higher the value, the higher the cooling energy efficiency and the greater the power savings.
The test results show that the CSPF values of the 14 model samples range from 3.899 to 5.092. Assuming that the total heat extracted from the room by each model is the same throughout the year, the model with the highest CSPF value saves 23.4 percent more electricity than the one with the lowest value. If the machine is turned on for 180 days a year, 12 hours a day, calculated based on HK$1.6 (US$0.2) per kilowatt hour, the annual electricity bill for the 14 models ranges from HK$763 (US$98) to HK$1,029 (US$132) as a rough estimate.
The top two models in terms of energy efficiency are the “CW-HU90AA” from Panasonic, and the Rasonic “RC-HU90A.” Both have CSPF values above 5, and they are also the two models with the highest overall scores in this test. The Consumer Council also evaluated 15 “1-horsepower” window air-conditioners in 2018, and the samples tested that year were all fixed-frequency models. The variable-frequency models tested this time round are able to save an average of 33.9 percent in power consumption compared to the fixed-frequency models tested earlier. Although energy efficiency has improved, the test results show that it is still technically possible to produce products that are more energy efficient.
According to the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labeling Scheme, window-type or split-type air conditioners must have a CSPF value of 4.50 or above for them to be rated Grade 1 energy efficient. There are 11 models marked as such grade, but three of them, namely Mitsubishi Electric “RB-09VA,” Carrier “CHK09EAVX,” and Toshiba “RAC-09G3CVRGR-HK,” only attained a Grade 2 in this test, and the worst performer of the samples test is Mitsubishi Electric “RB-09VA,” with a CSPF value of 4.417. Compared with the Panasonic “CW-HU90AA,” which also received Grade 1 and has a score of 5.092, the energy efficiency difference between the two is 13.3 percent. However, the differences between the CSPF values of the three samples obtained in this test and the accredited laboratory test reports submitted by the importers to the EMSD (5.0 percent, 7.8 percent, and 7.9 percent respectively) still do not exceed the labeling scheme and international practice. However, the Consumer Council believes that relevant manufacturers should still try to improve.
