Earlier, the Consumer Council commissioned an independent local laboratory in Hong Kong to carry out tests. In accordance with international standards, it tested the performance and safety of 14 window-type air conditioners. Among the air conditioners tested, 12 were fixed-speed models, while the other 2 were inverter-type reverse-cycle air conditioners tested by the Consumer Council for the first time.
Consumer Council Air Conditioner Electricity Cost Estimate Results
Compared with the similar test conducted by the Consumer Council in 2011, the energy efficiency of most fixed-speed air conditioners in this test had improved. However, their electricity costs were still higher than those of the two inverter-type reverse-cycle air conditioners. Assuming users turn on the air conditioner for 180 days per year, 12 hours per day, and electricity costs 1.2 dollars per kWh, the annual electricity cost of fixed-speed air conditioners ranged from 1,850 to 1,970 dollars, while the inverter-type reverse-cycle air conditioners required only about 1,311 and 1,326 dollars per year. The maximum difference between the two reached 659 dollars. Although inverter-type reverse-cycle air conditioners are more energy-saving, their selling prices are higher. For example, Panasonic CW-HE180KA is priced at 12,500 dollars, while the Midea fixed-speed air conditioner MWH-18CM3X1 sells for only 5,399. The estimated electricity costs of the two air conditioners are 1,326 dollars for Panasonic and 1,862 dollars for Midea. Based on this calculation, if a Panasonic user uses it for 13.2 years, the electricity cost saved would roughly equal the price difference of the unit. Of course, inverter-type reverse-cycle air conditioners also have many benefits that cannot be directly compared with numbers, such as providing a stable cooling effect.
Consumer Council Air Conditioner Condensation Test Results
In this test, the Consumer Council carried out a “body sweating” test for condensation. It found that 4 fixed-speed air conditioners, including General AFWR18FAT, York YGAF18AA, Gree G1818VM and Toshiba RAC-H18ER, showed condensation. In other words, moisture condensed on the air-direction louvres, and a small amount of condensation water dripped from time to time. In addition, moisture condensation was also found on the casing of 9 other models, but the situation was relatively minor and met the standard requirements. Among all air conditioners, only Panasoni CW-XV1815EA had no issues.
Consumer Council Air Conditioner Energy Label Test Results
The Consumer Council also tested the products one by one to see whether they matched their energy labels. It found that although the energy label of the Hitachi fixed-speed air conditioner RA-18MDF indicated Grade 1, the actual test result was only Grade 2. In its reply to the Consumer Council, Hitachi provided a test report from an independent laboratory recognised by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, stating that the energy efficiency was higher than that measured by the Consumer Council; it also said that the product was manufactured under strict monitoring procedures and that no changes had been made to the product specifications.
Consumer Council Overall Air Conditioner Rating Results
The Consumer Council gave each air conditioner an overall score out of 5. Among them, the Rasonic inverter-type reverse-cycle air conditioner RC-HE180K, priced at 10,980 dollars, received full marks, while the most expensive Panasonic inverter-type reverse-cycle air conditioner CW-HE180KA received 4.5 points. As for fixed-speed air conditioners, 7 models obtained 4 points, the highest score among fixed-speed air conditioners.
Consumer Council 2018 Test Results
Summer is approaching again, and many households are starting to shop for air conditioners. The Consumer Council recently conducted an air conditioner test. A total of 15 air conditioners were tested this time, all of them 1 hp window-type air conditioners, with retail prices of about 3000 to 5000 dollars. The scope of the test was very broad, covering cooling capacity, energy efficiency, quietness, air delivery, dehumidifying performance, safety and ease of use, with the performance of each item rated individually.
Consumer Council Test Results: Cooling Capacity
Cooling capacity measures the speed at which an air conditioner removes indoor heat to the outdoors. A higher value means faster cooling, or more simply, that it feels “cooler”. The test found that the measured cooling capacity of 14 samples was lower than claimed. Only the cooling capacity of Rasonic RC-V915J was relatively consistent with the figure claimed by the manufacturer, earning the highest score of 5 points. The cooling capacity of the other 14 air conditioners was lower than the manufacturers’ claims by 1.7% to 7.1%. Among them, 7 models differed by 5% or more. You can refer to the chart below for the results.
Consumer Council Test Results: Energy Efficiency
The energy label is also used to measure how “environmentally friendly” and “energy-saving” an air conditioner is, and is an indispensable figure when calculating long-term expenses. Energy efficiency is one of the factors that directly affects electricity bills. For example, calculated at $1.2 per kWh and assuming the air conditioner is used for 180 days a year and runs 12 hours per day, the annual electricity cost required for each air conditioner sample ranged from $917 to $1,106, with a maximum difference of $189. The Consumer Council’s test results this time found that the energy efficiency levels of 6 air conditioners did not match their labels. Although all samples claimed to have Grade 1 energy efficiency labels, 6 of them did not meet the standard: 5 were only at Grade 2 level, and 1 was only at Grade 3 level.
Consumer Council Test Results: Noise Level
As an appliance used every day in summer, many people are naturally concerned about noise performance. The Consumer Council’s test also assessed quietness in indoor and outdoor environments. However, the test results in this area found that the performance of the samples was generally average. In the indoor environment, all models scored only between 2.5 and 4 points out of 5. In the outdoor environment, they scored only 2 to 3 points. You can refer to the chart below for the results.
Consumer Council Test Results: Warranty Period Charges
When buying electrical appliances, people are naturally worried about breakdowns, especially air conditioners that are used every day. The Consumer Council specifically collected after-sales service information for each air conditioner. Among them, 11 window-type air conditioners had warranties of 3 years or more, 2 air conditioners had only 2 years, and another 2 had only 1 year. Another concern for buyers is the renewal fee after the warranty period. The Consumer Council found that the annual renewal fees after the warranty period could differ by more than 1 time. As for air conditioner cleaning fees during the warranty period, they ranged from $440 to $1,050, a difference of 1.4 times. You can refer to the chart below for the results.
Summing up the entire Consumer Council test, the following are the models and their overall ratings:
Sources:
Weekend Weekly website(https://www.weekendhk.com/lifestyle/%E5%86%B7%E6%B0%A3%E6%A9%9F%E5%A4%A7%E6%AF%94%E6%8B%BC-%E6%B6%88%E5%A7%94%E6%9C%83-%E6%B8%AC%E8%A9%A6-ctl08/3/)
Ming Pao News(https://news.mingpao.com/ins/instantnews/web_tc/article/20180515/s00001/1526354904620)
BBE Appliance Professional Consultant has 30 years of home appliance retail and buying advisory experience, serving over 200,000 Hong Kong households with practical tips on cooker hoods, ovens, cooktops, and home appliance selection and maintenance.
