The Indian Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has adopted voluntary energy efficiency policies for air compressors and ultra-high-definition (UHD) televisions aimed at reducing the energy use and climate impacts associated with these products while saving money for consumers.

Under the policies announced by BEE on January 11, air compressor and UHD television manufacturers can immediately apply to use its popular 5-star energy label for models that meet specified efficiency levels. The new policies are projected to avoid 18.2 TWh of electricity demand and 15 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions cumulatively through 2030. Use of the label is optional.

Air compressors are widely used to convert electricity or fuel to pressurized air for industrial, agricultural, pharmaceutical, and other applications. They account for significant power use across India’s industrial sector but are highly inefficient, converting just 10% to 30% of power to useful work while the rest is lost to factors such as heat, friction, or noise. Transforming markets toward the most efficient air compressors and increasing the availability of higher-performing models will reduce associated energy use and avoid greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity or liquid fuels used to operate them.

Television plays an integral role in the lives of millions of Indians as a source of information, entertainment and education. The latest UHD televisions are popular for their high resolution and image quality, but consume much more energy than previous generations of televisions. Empowering consumers with energy performance information supports informed purchasing and rewards manufacturers for improving product efficiency.

Appliance energy efficiency is a proven and cost-effective means to reduce climate emissions. Under the Paris Agreement, the Indian government has committed to reducing the energy intensity of the economy by at least 33% between 2005 and 2030, with improvements in appliance energy efficiency contributing to meeting that goal.

BEE estimates that in Fiscal Year 2018-19, products covered under its appliance and equipment efficiency policies avoided 55.7 TWh of electricity use, resulting in avoided emissions of 45.6 million metric tons of CO₂.

CLASP supported development of the air compressor and UHD television policies by collecting and analysing market and performance data, modeling the projected impacts of various policies scenarios, and facilitating technical review meetings. With the latest policy adoptions, BEE’s efficiency policy portfolio covers 28 product types under the 5-tier energy policy framework known by its tagline, “More Stars, More Savings.”

This work was supported by the John D. and Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation.

Click here for a report on air compressor efficiency in India. Read more about India’s efficiency policy programs here, and access recent CLASP research on key Indian appliance sectors here.