Just over a year after introducing energy efficient labelling and standards for air conditioners in the UAE, Emirates Standardisation and Metrology Authority (ESMA) reveals the programme has helped save millions of dirhams in power cost, while reducing around 150,000 metric tons of CO2. ESMA introduced the eco-friendly ratings system for air conditioners in early 2012, setting restrictions on the type of window and split air-conditioning units imported to the country. The system classifies air conditioners according to their energy consumption levels and CO2 emissions, with each unit receiving ratings in ?stars? from one to five.

An air conditioner rated five star is most energy efficient and eco-friendly, while a AC unit rate one star is the least energy efficient.

Since the introduction of the power saving programme, 754,678 air conditioners have entered UAE, with around 60 per cent of them being one and two star. The rating and labeling system has really helped reduce consumption of electricity considerably as air-conditioners are the highest consumers of power in the country. Hopefully in the days to come the programme will be more effective as all old units are phased out.

According to ESMA, almost 210 million kilowatt hours per year of electricity was saved through usage of eco-friendly air conditioners in 2012, resulting in the reduction of nearly 148,172 metric tons of CO2..

Washing machines

Encouraged by the success of the rating system for ACs, the authority has now formulated a similar programme for washing machines and dryers, which has already been approved by the cabinet and will come into effect from the beginning of 2014.

Combined, the two programmes will go a long way in overturning UAE?s energy efficiency outlook from negative to positive, reducing the CO2 output of the country by at least 30 per cent in the next couple of years.

The rating system for washers and dryers will save 2 billion litres of water per year, while reducing around 50,000 tons of carbon emissions, which is quiet significant when combined with the savings accrued by air-conditioners.

Next year, around 250,000 units of washing machines and dryers will enter the UAE market, ready with the new labelling and efficiency rating.

The machines will be rated from five star (best) to one star (worst) depending on their level of compliance, which will be clearly marked by stickers on each unit.

A Five-Star rated front loading washing machine consumes not more than 45 watts per kg of electricity, while a one-star rated front loading machine?s energy efficiency ratio should be between 75 and 85 watts per kg.

In terms of water consumption, a 7-litre or kg capacity washing machine, when used to full capacity, should not consume more than 7 litres of water per cycle of washing, which includes washing, rinsing, spinning and drying.

Apart from energy and water consumption, the ratings will also look at remaining moisture content (RMC) after spinning. According to specifications, in a Five-star rated washing machine the RMC should not exceed 50.

Remarkable steps by UAE towards greener living.