Consumer Voice

Research Study to Generate Test Data of identified products to promote Energy Efficiency & Labeling Programming India & Sri Lanka

Comparative Testing

Objectives

How ATest Is Done

Products already Tested

Background:

Due to the current trend on more and more consumption of energy at domestic, commercial & other sector, there is a tremendous pressure of consumers on the energy bills stet and also distribution companies in providing uninterrupted power supply who are forced to go for load shedding in phased manner and the gap in demand supply is widening. In order to bring down the gap between demand and supply, various measures are being adopted for effective & efficient use of Energy by decreasing pressure on the utilities and national resources. This pilot study sported by winrock International under SARI/E-Round III has particularly focused on the efficient use of energy and is coming-out with the ways and means for most effective use of appliances which, without going in for major design or technological changes by the manufacturers, can save significant amount of energy and bring down energy bills. The objectives of this study addresses the key objectives to disseminate the test results for consumer awareness and sensitize NSBs, policy makers on possibility of saving Energy on existing brands and assist NSBs (National Standard Bodies) in implementation of EE Standards in the country & region. The three ranges of product of mass consumption (CFLs, Ballasts & Ceiling fans) chosen in this research study clearly address the issues on improving Energy Efficiency.

OUT-COME OF THE STUDY:

In terms of test results of 14 popular brands of 15W CFLs, it has clearly indicated that almost all the brands have fared well in initial performance tests except one low cost Chinese brand, which performed very poorly. The life test will reveal the average life of the lamp and its lumen, which is anticipated to be encouraging keeping in view initial indications of completed tests. But there are obvious reasons to use CFLs against GLS Lamps to save up to 75% Energy. In term of Magnetic Ballasts, the watt-loss has been on higher side (range 12.68 to 18.60 W) and in Electronic ballasts, the watt-loss was 3.5 to 5.7 W. Hence Consumers have the ideal choice to switch- over to Electronic ballasts and save energy to the range of 10-15 W against each magnetic ballast. from test report of 12 brands of ceiling fans, input power for 2 brands (Havells & Orient) was 48 & 51 W and for remaining 10 brands it was found to be 67.8 to 79.6 W (against 50W + 10%) where majority of them not meeting the air delivery & service value requirements as laid down in the Indian Standards. A word of caution for manufacturers who need to put extra efforts to improve power input, air delivery and service value so as to reach the level of brand Havells & orient to fulfill the customers satisfaction and also saving of energy.

Conclusion & Recommendations:

Based on this research study conducted on testing of popular brands of CFLs, Ballasts and Ceiling fans as each being sold in millions a year, it is beyond doubt that there is a possibility for potential saving of scarce energy on use of efficient appliances, without doing major R & D work by manufacturers. A wide difference of power consumption also observed in the same ratings of the above 3 category of product ranges tested against laid down requirements. The study also has compared the National Standards of India, Srilanka with the relevant International (ISO/IEC) Standards and found that standards of both countries for these three products are in line with the International Standards. As policy matter, the test results were sent to their respective manufacturers explaining performance of their brands/models. The salient findings have also been shared with BEE of India to assist in speedier implementation of EE Standards and for labelling programme. The details test report clearly identifies Energy Efficient and inefficient brands for consumers choices on tested brands. Following are some recommendations for consumers, NSBs, Policy Makers, and Stakeholders to make available Energy Efficient and Energy Labeled products to the end users:

	Lowering of taxes/levies to further bring down retail cost of CFLs, Electronic ballast and discourage use of GLS Lamps and Magnetic ballasts. Also lowering of levies/taxes on ceiling fans to encourage fan manufacturers to produce Energy- Efficient fans.
	Mass awareness program on use of Energy Efficient appliances. VOICE is publishing the test results in special report, websites, and media to spread mass awareness.
	Fan manufacturers to immediately bring down the power consumption of regular & mass selling fans by slight changes in design and improving material so as to improve Energy efficiency and deliver air to the specified requirement.
	Opportunities for CFLs Ballasts Manufactures to improve upon their brands quality to become energy efficient and influence consumer choices.
	The test methodology adopted as per National Standards are equivalents to ISO/IEC standards and there is good scope & possibility for regional harmonization on mutually acceptable there is trading countries in the region. Particularly establishment of SAFTA (South Asia Free Trade Agreement) to be functional soon.

The out come of this study is also going to be shared with the NGO of Pakistan who has been recently associated within the ambit of SARI/E (South Asia Regional Initiatives on Energy. This would further broaden the scope of work of SARI/E in the overall development of objectives to promote mutually beneficial Energy linkages among the SA countries particularly on promoting Energy efficiency and harmonization of test standards keeping in view cordial relationship among most of the S. Asian countries. The salient findings will be shared with the new joint partner organization (NGO) of Pakistan to further build their capacity in sustaining the EE activities in their country so that they act as a watchdog in effective implementation of Energy Efficiency Standards in their country. the new joint project will be implemented in Pakistan with the regular information sharing dialogue based on the progress made so far under SARI/E small grant program for joint NGOs project in S. Asian Countries.