Your Air Conditioner May Be Lying To You

July 26th, 2011 by Charis Michelsen

Japan’s Consumer Agency has published information relating to 11 separate air conditioner manufacturing companies, regarding inappropriate energy usage rate displays. The eleven companies (which remain unnamed as of yet) conducted A/C capacity tests and calculated energy use to display to the consumer, who is generally unaware of how much air flows through the unit or how much energy is used.

These eleven companies conducted research regarding the energy consumption of the A/C units they themselves produced between Heisei Years 19 and 20 (2007 and 2008). Specifically, the tests revolved around preset temperature — if the user-input temperature was not reached after a certain amount of time, the A/C unit is programmed to increase air flow (a setting called “Wind MV”). The companies measured how much power was used while the higher setting was enabled. The results of the tests were published in the product catalogues for Heisei Years 19 and 20.

However, if the A/C cooling capacity is constant (that is, it maintains a set temperature over time rather than lowering the temperature repeatedly over that same time), less power is used with a higher air flow rate. The energy conservation tests were performed at a constant indoor air temperature in accordance with JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards), but these test parameters reduce the actual power consumption of the units. The actual energy conservation amount index for year-round energy efficiency (APF) was shown to be rather higher. (Translator’s note – in other words, keep the A/C on, guys. Turning it on and off wastes power!)

For example, the A/C is set at a capacity of 2.2kW. When using its cooling function (translator’s note – Japanese window units double as both heating and cooling units), the power consumption should be approximately 430W at the standard air flow setting. Without engaging air flow management (kicking into the higher setting), the power consumption should remain at 430W. The year-round energy efficiency (APF) found that if air-flow management was engaged, that number went to 6.0. In contrast, even if not engaged, the number could be as high as 5.9.

The Consumer Agency is attempting publication of its information regarding the frequency of air flow management engagement and power use of the relevant products, including model numbers, on its homepage. All companies contacted have indicated only that they will respond to the allegations.

The Consumer Agency attempts to provide adequate information for the consumers through surveys and other research, and publishes information regarding inappropriate situations.

Translated from Kankyo Business

Keep up to date with all the hottest cleantech news by subscribing to our (free) cleantech newsletter, or keep an eye on sector-specific news by getting our (also free) solar energy newsletter, electric vehicle newsletter, or wind energy newsletter.

Tags: A/C, a/c unit, air conditioner, consumer report, controlled climate, Electricity, Energy, energy use, fraud, Japan, japanese

About the Author

Charis Michelsen spent 7 years living in Germany and Japan, studying both languages extensively, doing translation and education with companies like Bosch, Nissan, Fuji Heavy, and others. Charis has a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and currently lives in Chicago, Illinois. She also believes that Janeway was the best Star Trek Captain.

Pingback: Energy Efficiency Apps for Your Smartphone -- Top Five - CleanTechnica
Pingback: Toshiba Introduces Voice-Controlled AND Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner | CleanTechnica
Pingback: Total Power Saving | CleanTechnica
Kier mizuik

i don’t think we have the whole picture here , the storey i think mite be better served if tech angle was backed up by some numbers .
firstly it is more likely that an engine or motor uses more energy each time it is turned on than when left on .
the new dc-voltage variable drives in the fans and air handlers as well as the compressors that are now available compaired to just 5 years ago is what is paving the way for higher efficencies in these systems .
i don’t like when information from good sources are watered down and then rewriten in a general way so the masses can understand and make judgement
calls on them om weather to purchase or not .
the people that build these design them and manufacture them are of the highest educated in the world . they have deicated thier lives to making the places we live more comfortable in all regions of the world .
i really don’t think that they would dedicate thier lives to a mass lie of the efficency .
but a global standard would make it easier for everyone involved the consumer to the manufacturer.
we use in this industry SEER and HSPF . BUT both are missunderstood and not always forth comming as to the info used to produce them .
the idea of a unit in a lab is the same in different parts of the world for its ratings is obserd .
these formulas are just that and you need to inject your own info into them to get a answer that would be customized for you and your area .
the power it recieved , is different , the temperature it must work in , the humidity , the amount of time it runs , how clean it filters are , how well it was installed , how good is your service people , and at the end your efficency.
- Jo Borras
  
  Your point doesn’t take into account total time in operation, I think – unless I’m missing something?
yosh hash

this is only true to an extent. my wife and i are so cheap with the AC that there is no way “keeping it on” is better. We turn it on on the hottest days a 2 or 3 times a day, 15 minutes at a time.
- Anonymous
  
  good point, yosh.