Figure 11 Factors considered when purchasing latest appliance (air conditioners) Enviromental impact Aesthetics Retailer or tradesperson reputaiton/advice Warranty Availablity/deliver time Brand reputation Energy use of appliance Product features Price 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% Proportion of respondents Positive Neutral Negative Don't know Note: 1. n = 87 (respondents who did not purchase an air conditioner were not required to answer this question hence the lower number of respondents). 2. Question 4: For each item below, indicate how helpful it was in your decision to purchase your [air conditioner / reverse cycle air conditioner]. Use the scale of 0-10 where 0 means ‘not at all helpful’ and 10 means ‘extremely helpful.’ 3. Using a scale ranging from 0 (‘Not at all …’) to 10 (‘Extremely …’), ‘Positive’ includes 7, 8, 9, 10, ‘Neutral’ includes 4, 5, 6 and ‘Negative’ includes 0, 1, 2, 3. Source: ACIL Allen/Roy Morgan survey. Box 1 Features considered when purchasing air conditioners
As energy is used as the comparator (rather than efficiency), it is necessary to group models into similar size categories for comparison. This model is used in North America. The following sections consider six international labels – the United States, Canada, the EU, Korea, China and India. These labels provide an informative spread of the types of labels employed around the world. United States – EnergyGuide Energy labelling of appliances commenced in the US in 1980, with the gradual inclusion of different appliances between 1980 and 1994. The first US label only showed the annual cost of operating the appliance however there were problems with this indicator because of the changing national average price of electricity. In 1994 the label was revised so that annual energy use (in kWh) became the main feature of the label rather than annual operating cost. The label was again revised in 2007 (to the version pictured in ) which prominently displays estimated yearly operating costs (Federal Trade Commission (US), 2007) The US EnergyGuide label is required on furnaces, refrigerators, refrigerator-freezers, water heaters, clothes washers, dishwashers, room air conditioners, central air conditioners, and heat pumps. It is an actual range label that compares the labelled model with a range of other similar models on the market. The US label provides quantified energy and operating cost information (see ). The main features of the label are: the estimated yearly operating cost of running the appliance (based on the appliance’s electricity use and the national average cost of electricity); the estimated yearly operating cost range for models with similar features; estimated yearly operating cost of the appliance relative to similar models; and how much electricity the appliance uses (kWh) in a year based on typical use. Other information on the label includes appliance specific information, for example key features, make, model and size. Figure C2 US EnergyGuide label Source: Labels provided by the Department of Industry.
Not At All Helpful 0 1 2 3 4 Moderately Helpful 5 6 7 8 9 Extremely Helpful 10 Don’t Know Year of manufacture Model number Annual operating cost Links to additional information (e.g. a Quick Reference code or website address) Country of manufacture Annual greenhouse gas emissions Hazardous substances (e.g. chemical agents, refrigerants) Water consumption and other environmental information Star rating scale Operating noise Q29. Different countries present information on the energy use of appliances in different ways. Consider the following four labels which are used by different countries to inform purchasers about the amount of energy used by an appliance. Please indicate which label you think is the most effective in informing you about the following features of the appliance: Feature (randomise order of attributes) Most effective label (select the code below the label) Operating cost 338 297 859 403 Energy consumption 338 297 859 403 Providing information for easily comparing similar models 338 297 859 403
Appendix G Advisory Forum Report Introduction ACIL Allen Consulting is currently undertaking an independent review of the Energy Rating Labelling Scheme for the Department of Industry (on behalf of the Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3) Committee). An Advisory Forum was held with representatives from industry to discuss the findings of ACIL Allen’s review, including the results of the first survey of Australian consumers conducted as part of this review. This report summarises the discussion, outcomes and action items from the Energy Rating Label Review Advisory Forum. Agenda and attendees The Energy Rating Label Review Advisory Forum (the Forum) was held on 29 November 2013, 1pm – 4.15pm at the Mercure Canberra, Cnr Ainslie and Limestone Avenues, Braddon, ACT. The Forum’s agenda and leads are outlined in and the attendees in
Table G1 Advisory Forum Agenda Time Agenda Item Lead 1:30–1:35pm 1. Welcome and introduction (5 mins) David Walker (DoI) 1:35–1:50pm 2. Overview of the elements of current label projects (15 mins) ERL Review Climate Rating Label Energy Rating app Digital Labelling Energy Star (NZ) David Pearson (DoI) 1:50–1:55pm 3. Terms of reference for the ERL Review (5 mins) Renee Robinson (DoI) 1:55–2:10pm 4. Labelling principles (15 mins) ACIL Allen Consulting 2:10–2:40pm 5. Key outcomes from the ERL Review first Consumer Survey (30 mins) 1200 statistically relevant views ACIL Allen Consulting 2:40–3:10pm 6. Open discussion (30 mins) What consumers want and don’t want included on the label When can this be done? What are the stumbling blocks? Shane Holt (DoI) (facilitate discussion) 3:10–3:30pm 7. Labelling options – Image then debate, issue by issue (20 mins) Shane Holt (facilitate discussion) 3:30–3:50pm 8. Open discussion (20 mins) How can the label interact with the internet? ERL Committee volunteers Shane Holt (facilitate discussion) 3:50–4:00pm 9. ERL Advisory Committee (10 mins) Terms of reference and housekeeping Shane Holt 4:00–4:05pm 10. April conference timeline (5 mins) Renee Robinson 4:05–4:15pm 11. Other Business Shane Holt Source: Department of Industry.