The Energy Efficiency Label prepared by the Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC) in cooperation with the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization for air conditioners is a simplified visual guide for those who wish to buy air conditioners.

According to SEEC each star on the label represents 5 percent of energy saving in both split units and window units.

In other words, a label with 4 stars means that the air conditioner saves about 20 percent of electricity compared to two-star air conditioners that save only 10 percent. A six-star label means that the air conditioner saves up to 30 percent of energy.

The label plays a key role in providing customers with basic information about the best quality and the most energy-efficient units that are compatible with the Saudi standards.

The label also includes information on the year the device was manufactured, its brand, model number, annual energy consumption (Kw/hr), percentage of energy efficiency and cooling capacity, among other things.

The label clearly shows the number of stars that begin in window air conditioning system units with 3 stars while the split conditioning system units start with a minimum of 4 stars for this phase to 6 stars in the second phase.

According to the national program for energy efficiency, the second phase will start from Jan. 1, 2015 and will have the updated specifications that will raise the energy efficiency standards of air conditioners.

“Window air conditioning units’ coefficient of energy efficiency will be raised from 8.5 to 9.8 while the split conditioning system units’ energy efficiency coefficient will be raised from 9.5 to 11.5,” a SEEC official said.

This means that the minimum number of stars will be raised to 4 stars in window units and 6 stars in split units.

Saudi Customs also said it will start the compulsory application of the second phase on border entry points at the beginning of 2015 and that imported air conditioners that do not comply with the new standards or violate them will be prohibited from entering the country.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry has started preventing the sale of air conditioners that do not conform to the new standards in the market whether they are locally made or imported.

Official statistics indicate that air conditioners consume more than half of the electricity produced in the Kingdom.