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Increases in Minimum Energy Performance Standards for Air Conditioners – Updated Decision Regulation Impact Statement – Ministerial Council on Energy

In December 2010 the Ministerial Council on Energy (MCE) agreed to increase the Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for air conditioning units. Generally MEPS levels will increase by an average of 10%, and multi-split air conditioners will now be required to meet the same MEPS levels as all other non-ducted split systems. These requirements were to be implemented from 1 October 2011. The RIS that discussed the associated costs and benefits was assessed as adequate by the Office of Best Practice Regulation (OBPR) and was published on the website on 20 April 2011.    On 20 September 2011 the MCE amended its decision in response to concerns from some members of the air conditioning industry. The RIS was amended (outlined in an addendum) to reflect additional consultation with industry and regulators.  It also includes revised recommendations including to:

  • delay the implementation to 1 April 2012 for ducted air-conditioning systems in the 10<19KW range;
  • multi-split air-conditioners to be covered by new MEPS one year after publications of a suitable international or Australian /New Zealand standard;
  • use of simulation will be permitted for products less than 30kW where less than 10 per year are sold and sales data is provided for all models sold;  and
  • State and territory government regulators notify stakeholders if a delay is required for including multi-split air conditions with the scope of these MEPS due to the publishing of the internationally accepted test methodology by Standards Australia.

The OBPR assessed the updated Decision RIS as adequate.