Republic of the Philippines  
         DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY  
                       Energy Utilization Management Bureau  
 
Energy Center, Rizal Drive cor. 34th Street, Bonifacio Global City,  
Taguig City, Philippines, 1632  
Tel. No. (Trunkline) (632) 8479 -2900  
Website:  http://www.doe.gov.ph ;  Email: doe.eumb@gmail.com  
  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  UKAS Certificate No. SCUK001857Q /PAB Certific ate No. SCP000424Q   
 
 
IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR THE PHILIPPINE ENERGY LABELING PROGRAM FOR 
AIR CONDITIONERS  
2023, 1st Edition ( DRAFT ) 
 
Pursuant to Section 5 and 9 of Department Circular No. 2020 -06-0015, as amended, entitled 
“Prescribing the Guidelines of the Philippine Energy Labeling Program (PELP) for Compliance of 
Importers, Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers of Electrical Appliances and Other Energy -
Consuming Products (ECP)”, the Implementing Guidelines for Air Conditioners, including the 
Particular Product Requirement (PPR) and Code of Practice (COPE) are hereby issued for the 
information and guidance of all those concerned and for compliance by all manufacturers, importers, 
distributors, dealers, retailers and other key stakeholders.  
 
1. Particular Product Requirement (PPR) for Air Conditioners  
The PPR provides the requirements for mandatory energy labeling of air conditioners. It specifies 
the Minimum Energy Performance (MEP), Energy Efficiency Performance Rating (EEPR) and 
other relevant information applicable for Window and Split -type units.  
 
1.1 Scope  
 
This PPR covers single -phase air conditioners with cooling capacity of up to 50,000 kJ/hr  
or 14kW for domestic and similar use.  
 
The following are the categories:  
 
            Fixed -speed air conditioners / Variable -speed air conditioners  
a. Window -type 
b. Split -type 
• Wall-mounted  
• Floor -Standing type  
• Cassette -type  
• Ceiling -Suspended type  
 
1.2 Definition of Terms  
 
For the purpose of this PPR, the following definitions and those in PNS ISO 5151, PNS 
ISO 16358 -1 and its future amendments shall apply:  
 
Applicants  - refers to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and dealers.  
 
Basic Model / Type  - a product model whose main component and other design 
components are distinct as to voltage rating, power input, frequency, light output, etc.  
 
Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF) - a number used to express an air 
conditioner’s energy efficiency performance . The calculation of CSPF is done by taking 
the Cooling Seasonal Total Load (CSTL) in kWh and dividing it by the Cooling Seasonal 
Energy Consumption (CSEC) in kWh. Also stated under COPE as the measurement of 
efficiency.  
 
Decision Rule  – rule that describes how measurement uncertainty is accounted for when 
stating conformity with specified requirements.  PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                             Page 2 of 11 
  
Energy Efficiency Performance Rating (EEPR) - the product’s star rating which is based 
on the ranges of CSPF and is stated on the energy label.  
 
Energy Efficiency Rating - as indicated in the energy label,  pertains to the rated CSPF 
of the air conditioner.  
 
Fixed -speed Air Conditioner - a fixed -capacity unit that operates at a constant speed to 
cool a space.  
 
Generic Models  - refer to a range of models that are comparable to the base model in 
terms of their major physical characteristics, construction, system design, and other 
performance features.  
 
Non-Ducted Air Conditioner  - encased assembly or assemblies, designed primarily to 
deliver conditioned air throughout an enclosed space, room, or zone.  
 
Variable -speed Air Conditioner - a variable -capacity unit that can vary its cooling 
capacity based on the cooling load or demand of a space.  
 
1.3 Normative References  
 
The air conditioners covered under this PPR shall be tested, as applicable, according to, 
but not limited to, the following standards and their future amendments:  
 
PNS ISO 5151:  Non-ducted air conditioners and heat pumps: Testing and rating for 
performance contain provisions that, through reference in this text, form part of this 
national standard. At the time of publication of this standard, the edition indicated is valid.  
 
PNS ISO 16358 -1: Air-cooled air conditioners and air -to-air heat pumps: Testing and 
calculating methods for seasonal performance factors - Part 1: Cooling Seasonal 
Performance Factor.  
 
Considering the regular updating of standards, the latest edition of the PNS shall be used 
as a reference. It is understood that future amendments to the PNS indicated in this PPR 
will be applied after its effectivity. A transition period coinciding with the transition period 
indicated in the PNS shall be provided to give ample time to all stakeholders to adjust and 
conform to the new requirements, if any.  
 
1.4 Code of Practice on Energy Labeling of Products.  Pursuant to Section 15 of the EEC 
Act, the Code of Practice on Energy Labeling of Products (COPE) provides for the 
calculation methods of the following:  
 
1.4.1  The Air Conditioner Energy Efficiency Performance Rating (EEPR) or the star rating 
shown in the DOE Energy Label is based on the Cooling Seasonal Performance 
Factor (CSPF) , which is calculated as follows:  
 
CSPF =          Cooling Seasonal Total Load (kWh )   
           Cooling Seasonal Energy Consumption (kWh)  
 
Where:  
 
CSTL  stands for Cooling Seasonal Total Load and is defined as the total annual 
amount of heat energy removed from the indoor air when the equipment is operated PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                             Page 3 of 11 
 for cooling in active mode. The value of which must be converted and expressed in 
kilowatt -hour (kWh).  
 
CSEC  stands for Cooling Seasonal Energy Consumption and is defined as the total 
annual amount of electrical energy consumed by the equipment when it is operated 
for cooling in active mode and is expressed in kilowatt -hour (kWh).  
 
The EEPR reflected on the DOE Energy Label shall correspond to the CSPF value 
shown in the product test report during product registration. The EEPR shall be 
adjusted accordingly (as needed) once the product has undergone verification testing.  
 
1.4.2  For the estimation of monthly energy kWh consumption  (based on a specified hour 
of daily usage), as shown in the DOE Energy Label, the calculation is as follows:  
 
Monthly kWh Consumption = Power Input x Daily Operating Hours x 30 x F  
 
Where:   
 
Power input  is the determined electrical power required by the equipment to operate 
normally and is expressed in kilowatts (kW). This corresponds to the value declared 
by the applicant during product registration.  
 
Operating hours  are the assumed length of time that the equipment is operated in a 
day and are expressed in hours. With regards to the DOE Energy Label, this 
parameter is assumed to be 9 hours.  
 
F is the assumed operating factor for air conditioners. It is 0.8 for fixed -speed units 
(due to compressor cut -in or cut -off) and 0.5 for variable -speed units (due to speed 
adjustment or control).  
 
1.4.3  For the estimation of monthly electricity cost , the calculation is as follows:  
 
Monthly Electricity Cost = Monthly kWh Consumption x Electricity Price  
 
 
Where:  
 
Electricity price  is the prevailing peso per kWh, as indicated in the electricity bill 
issued by an electric power distribution company.  
 
1.4.4  For the estimation of monthly Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission  due to monthly 
electricity consumption, the calculation is as follows:  
 
Monthly GHG emission = Monthly Energy kWh Consumption x Emission Factor  
 
 
Where:  
 
Emission factor  is the Simple Operating Margin (OM) Emission Factor derived using 
the power grid statistics and is available on the DOE website.  
 
The unit of the calculated GHG emission shall be kg CO 2. 
 
 PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                             Page 4 of 11 
 1.5 Minimum Energy Performance (MEP)  
 
1.5.1  For fixed -speed air conditioners, the CSPF shall not be lower than 3.19, while 
variable -speed air conditioners, the CSPF shall not be lower than 3.70.  
 
Notes:    
1. The measured CSPF shall be rounded -off to the nearest 0.01 Wh/Wh. The rules of rounding -off shall 
be followed.  
2. The measured percentage value shall be rounded -off to the nearest tenth. The rules of rounding shall 
be followed.  
3. The verdict shall be based on the rounded -off value.  
4. The MEP shall be subjected to review and upgrading every three (3) years or earlier, as necessary.  
 
1.5.2  Air conditioners  covered under this Implementing Guidelines,  manufactured and 
assembled in the country of origin  other than the Philippines , must also pass the MEP 
set by the country of origin, as applicable.  
 
1.6 Energy Efficiency Performance Rating (EEPR) of Air Conditioners  
 
1.6.2  Non-ducted air conditioners shall be classified based on the rated CSPF  of the 
product.  
 
1.6.3  The classification shall be represented by a star rating, with one star indicating the 
lowest range of the CSPF  and five stars representing the highest range of the CSPF.  
 
1.6.4  There shall be two (2) categories of EEPRs regardless of the cooling capacities.  
a. Fixed -speed  
b. Variable -speed  
 
The rated CSPF of air conditioners shall be classified according to Table 1.  
 
Table 1. EEPR of Air Conditioners  
 
Note: Table 1 was generated by analyzing the available CSPF data from the PELP System for the year 2021 -2022.  
     
1.7 Tolerances  
 
The following tolerances shall apply:  
 
1.7.2  The measured cooling capacity (kW) shall not be less than 90% of the rated cooling 
capacity of the test sample.  
 
Notes:  
1. The measured cooling capacity shall be rounded -off to the nearest hundredth. The rules of rounding -
off shall be followed.  
2. The measured cooling capacity shall be rounded -off first before determining the tolerance.  
3. The verdict shall be based on the rounded -off value.  Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF)  
For All Cooling Capacities  
EEPR  Fixed -speed  Variable -speed  
One-Star 3.19 to 3.44  3.70 to 4.72  
Two-Star 3.45 to 3.70  4.73 to 5.22  
Three -Star 3.71 to 3.96  5.23 to 5.89  
Four -Star 3.97 to 4.19  5.90 to 6.40  
Five-Star ≥ 4.20  ≥ 6.41  PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                             Page 5 of 11 
 1.7.3  The measured CSPF  shall not be less than 90% of the rated CSPF  of the test sample . 
 
Notes:  
1. The measured percentage value shall be rounded -off to the nearest tenth. The rules of rounding -off 
shall be followed.  
2. The verdict shall be based on the rounded -off value.  
3. The rated CSPF  shall be mathematically consistent.  
 
2.  Product Verification Testing  
All general technical provisions in the Guidelines shall apply, including the following:  
 
2.1 Sampling Method for Verification Testing  
 
2.1.1  A unit of base model or its generic model shall be randomly taken from the 
sampling location.  
 
Note: If a model (either base or generic) has been verified, the result of the test shall apply to all the 
base or generic models declared for that model.  
 
2.2 Conduct of Verification Testing  
 
2.2.1  Test Methods to verify conformity to the claimed information in the label shall be 
specified in Section 1.3.  
 
2.2.2  An authorized representative of the Applicant shall be responsible for the 
installation of the sample (split -type air conditioner).  
 
2.2.3  Compartment temperatures (indoor and outdoor, wet bulb and dry bulb) during 
stable condition and reading period shall be maintained at ± 0.1°C.  
 
2.2.4  Samples shall be tested at a standard test voltage of 230V~ ±1%, 60Hz ±1%. 
 
2.2.5  All necessary operational settings required for the proper conduct of the test shall 
be provided by the Applicant.  
 
2.2.6  In the conduct of partial (half) load test, the measured half load cooling capacity 
at T1 shall be ±5.0% of the measured full load.  
 
2.2.7  The verification testing shall be conducted by the DOE -Lighting Appliance and 
Testing Division (DOE -LATD) or a DOE -Recognized Testing Laboratory (DOE -
RTL) in accordance with the normative reference/s specified in Clause 1.3 and the 
Guidelines stated in Section 2.2. The result shall be submitted directly to the DOE -
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Performance Regulation and Enforcement 
Division (DOE -EPRED).  
 
2.2.8  In cases where a measured value falls within the guard band, as defined in this IG, 
the DOE -RTL that conducted the test shall be responsible for issuing the final 
verdict. The final verdict shall be in accordance with Annex A: Guidelines on the 
Decision Ru le of this IG to account for measurement uncertainty.   
 
Conformance shall be evaluated according to the cases shown in Table 2.  
 PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                             Page 6 of 11 
                           Table 2. Conformance Requirements  
 
Case Condition  1st Sampling  2nd Sampling  3rd Sampling  Conformance  
Case 1  Passed  Not Applicable  Not Applicable  Passed  
Case 2  Failed  Passed  Passed  Passed  
Case 3  Failed  Passed  Failed  Failed  
Case 4  Failed  Failed  Not Applicable  Failed  
 
 Notes:  
1. The Tolerance, MEPP and Decision Rule shall be applied when determining the verdict  
2. Replacement of defective units, that cannot be properly tested, shall be allowed up to three (3) times 
only. If the unit is still defective after the 3rd replacement, the testing shall be considered as failed.  
 
2.3 Correction of Performance Ratings  
 
2.3.1  Applicant has the option to change their claimed ratings in order to  comply with the 
requirements of the implementing guidelines based on the result of the test.  
 
2.3.2  New claims shall conform to the tolerances specified in Section 1.7.  
 
2.4  Inspection of Generic Models  
 
2.4.1  A model will not be considered generic if there are major differences in any of the 
components related to the performance of the air conditioner (e.g., front grille 
design, number of tubes in evaporator and condenser, fins / inch of evaporator and 
condense r, compressor rating, number of louvers in the condenser, fan motor 
rating, inverter circuit board and number of fan blades).  
 
2.4.2  In case of doubt, DOE -EPRED shall require the inspected units to be subjected to 
performance testing.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                             Page 7 of 11 
 3. Specification and Dimensions of Energy Label  
 
3.1 Label Design  
 
 
3.2 Presentation of the Energy Labels  
 
 
3.3 Products on sale shall have the energy label affixed to the front grille or external 
enclosure of the indoor unit, whichever is visible.  
 
PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                             Page 8 of 11 
  
4. Product Registration  
 
PELP -Registered Companies may register their air conditioner models through the PELP 
Online Product Registration, which includes the information indicated in the Product 
Registration Form – Air Conditioners, among others. These procedures also apply to bot h 
manufactured and imported institutional products.  
 
4.1 Product Registration Form  
 
The Product Registration Form shall indicate the product’s details, details of the testing 
facility used and the product’s performance specifications, in accordance with the 
normative references stated in Section 1.3. The Product Registration Form shall 
contain, at the minimum, the following information:  
 
Product Registration Form - Air Conditioner  
Product  Air Conditioner  
Particular Product  ☐ AC Variable (ACV)  
☐ AC Fixed (ACF)  
Installation Type  ☐ Window Type  
☐ Split Type - Wall Mounted  
☐ Split Type - Ceiling Cassette  
☐ Split Type - Ceiling Suspended  
☐ Split Type - Floor Mounted  
 
Brand Name   
Model Number/Code   
Year Model   
Country of Origin   
Original Equipment 
Manufacturer (OEM)   
Is the product generic or a base 
model?  ☐ Base  ☐ Generic  
If Generic, please specify the model code of the 
Base model: _________________  
 
General List of Refrigerants  ☐ HCFC -123 
☐ R-134A  
☐ R-23 
☐ R-290 
☐ R-32 
☐ R-404A  
☐ R-407A  
☐ R-407C  
☐ R-407F  
☐ R-408A  
☐ R-409A  
 ☐ R-410A  
☐ R-412A  
☐ R-417A  
☐ R-422A  
☐ R-438A  
☐ R-449A  
☐ R-452A  
☐ R-507 
☐ R-508 
☐ R-513A  
☐ R-600A  
 
Other refrigerants, please 
specify:    
Global Warming Potential 
(GWP) of Refrigerant    PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                             Page 9 of 11 
 Refrigerant Amount:  _______________  ☐ kg       ☐ L 
Cooling Capacity (kW)    
Cooling Seasonal Performance 
Factor (CSPF)    
Rated Power Input (W)    
Rated Voltage (V)    
Rated Frequency (Hz)    
Energy Efficiency Performance 
Rating  ☐ ★ 
☐ ★★ 
☐ ★★★  
☐ ★★★★  
☐ ★★★★★  
Testing Facility Qualification  
(as applicable)  
 ☐ Company -owned Lab       ☐ 3rd Party Lab  
☐ PAB Accredited  
☐ ISO 17025 Accredited  
Other Parameters:    
 
Notes:  
1. Number of samples tested for product registration purposes will be up to the Applicant.  
2. The validity of the test report shall be one (1) year.  
 
5 Effectivity.  This IG shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its publication in at least two (2) 
newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette. Copies of this IG shall be filed with the 
University of the Philippines Law Center - Office of the Nationa l Administrative Register.  
 
Issued at Energy Center, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.  
 
 
 
 
PATRICK T. AQUINO, CESO III    
Director, Energy Utilization Management Bureau  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                            Page 10 of 11 
 ANNEX A  
GUIDELINES ON DECISION RULE  
 
This document will provide the decision rule that will be used to account for measurement 
uncertainty, based on ILAC -G8:09/2019.  
 
Definition of Terms:  
Acceptance Interval - interval of permissible measured quantity values.  
 
Acceptance Limit (AL)  - specified upper or lower bound of permissible measured quantity 
values.  
 
Guard Band (w)  – interval between a tolerance limit (TL) and a corresponding acceptance 
limit (AL) where length w = |TL – AL|. 
Measured Quantity Value - quantity value representing a measured result.  
 
Specific Risk - is the probability that an accepted item is non -conforming, or that a 
rejected item does conform. This risk is based on measurements of a single item.  
 
Tolerance Interval / Specification Interval - interval of permissible values of property.  
 
Tolerance Limit (TL) / Specification Limit - specified upper or lower bound of permissible 
values of a property.  
 
Decision Rule  
 
A Binary decision rule is when the result is limited to two choices (pass or fail). As explained below, 
the declaration of conformity is binary acceptance.  
 
 Binary Acceptance based on Guard Band  
 
 The decisions are based on guard banded acceptance limits. The acceptance limits, AL = TL – w, 
where U is the expanded measurement uncertainty or equivalent to w. The estimate of the 
measurand is assumed to have a normal probability  distribution and specific risk is used for the risk 
calculation. In this case, the risk of accepted items to  be outside the tolerance limit is less than or 
equal to 2.5%.  
 
 
 
PELP – IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR AIR CONDITIONERS                                                            Page 11 of 11 
  
 
Statements of Conformity are reported as follows:  
• Pass – acceptance based on guard band; the measurement result being below the 
acceptance limit, AL = TL – w.  
• Fail – rejection based on guard band; if the measurement result is above the acceptance 
limit, AL = TL – w