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Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
ACs at below market price or at big discount: Government planning scheme to replace your old ACs
The Indian government is working on a plan to encourage households to replace air conditioners that are over 10 years old with new, energy-efficient five-star models, reports Economic Times. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The initiative aims to reduce electricity consumption by phasing out older, less efficient appliances. As per the report, power minister Manohar Lal met leaders of large AC manufacturers including Blue Star managing director B Thiagarajan, Daikin India MD KJ Jawa, and Voltas MD-designate Mukundan Menon, to discuss the matter last week. The ministry has formed an internal committee to deliberate and finalise the norms, the report added. Consumers may get incentives to scrap old ACs Citing unnamed sources, the report says that the ministry of power is evaluating a proposal that will allow customers to scrap old ACs with authorised e-waste partners appointed by manufacturers or the government. In return, they will get a discount on new units purchased through their electricity distributor (discom). These lower prices, the report adds, will be achieved through bulk procurement and competitive bidding, using a model similar to the Ujala scheme, under which nearly 369 million LED bulbs were distributed through discoms over the past decade. Another plan being explored is for manufacturers to offer high scrappage value for old ACs. The government plans to compensate them by either incentives or energy credit from discoms that would be adjusted against electricity bills. In this case, consumers could continue buying ACs from retail outlets at regular prices, but with added financial benefits from scrapping old units. Confirming the meeting, Thiagarajan told the publication, 'There are about 50 million 10-years-or-older AC units in the country. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Consumers typically shift their old ACs to another room or sell to a shop in exchange, which are then reused. Hence, the best way is to scrap them and consumers [should] buy the latest and most energy efficient 5-star ACs.' BEE to revise energy rating norms more frequently According to the report, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is also planning to revise the energy rating norms for air conditioners every two years, down from the current 3–4-year cycle. The next changes are expected in 2026 and 2028, following the last revision in July 2022. However, not all companies support frequent rating updates. An industry executive, who did not wish to be named, told ET, 'The industry has to invest around ₹400 crore for each rating change, which becomes difficult to recover if there are frequent changes.' He added that energy rating revisions should only happen if there's a significant technology breakthrough.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
Energy-efficient cooling gets a push as govt mulls AC swap scheme: Details
The Ministry of Power and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) are working on a plan to help households replace air conditioners (ACs) that are over 10 years old with newer, more energy-efficient models. The scheme is likely to offer incentives to promote the shift to 5-star rated ACs, which consume significantly less electricity. Why old ACs need replacement As earlier reported by Business Standard, India's annual air conditioner sales have surged to nearly 11 million units in 2023–24 from 8.4 million units in 2021–22, reflecting a sharp rise in cooling demand. Buildings across the country consumed close to 500 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity last year, with cooling alone accounting for nearly a quarter of that consumption, according to government estimates. Most older ACs in Indian households are rated below three stars, making them far less efficient than modern units. As per the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), replacing such outdated models with new five-star-rated ACs can lead to annual savings of up to ₹6,300 in electricity bills and ease the load on the national power grid, especially during peak summer months. What the new govt AC scheme may offer The scheme, while still being drafted, is similar to the Ujala scheme, which helped distribute millions of LED bulbs in the past decade. Different proposals that are being considered include: Manufacturer Exchange Discounts: AC manufacturers may offer upfront discounts on new models in exchange for old units. Electricity Bill Rebates: In partnership with power distribution companies (discoms), bill credits or rebates for households that switch to more efficient appliances may be considered. Limited Rollout to Start: Initially, the programme may target metro cities where AC usage is high. According to a recent report by The Economic Times, the scheme may also offer a buyback option through certified recyclers. This means a certificate from authorised recyclers or e-waste partners can be redeemed for a discount on a new purchase. Industry response and next steps To ensure smooth implementation, the government has been consulting with leading AC manufacturers such as Voltas, Blue Star, LG, Samsung, and Lloyd. These discussions will help finalise the framework of the incentive scheme, including: - Pricing strategies - Logistics for old unit collection - Recycling and disposal norms Expected launch timeline While the final details of the scheme are still being worked out, officials suggest that it could be announced later this year. Discussions are ongoing between the Power Ministry, BEE, and industry stakeholders. For now, consumers are advised to wait for the official rollout before making any major replacement decisions.
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First Post
5 days ago
- Business
- First Post
India eyes nationwide push to replace 10-yr-old ACs with 5-star units in exchange offers: Report
The government is considering asking air-conditioner manufacturers to offer higher scrappage values for old units and compensate the difference via government incentives or through energy credits read more India's power ministry is mulling a plan to offer customers cheaper five-star energy-efficient ACs in exchange for replacing their units that are over 10 years old. According to a report by Economic Times, the reduced prices would be achieved through bulk procurement and competitive bidding, following a model similar to the Ujala scheme, which distributed 368.7 million LED bulbs through discoms over the past decade. The government is also considering asking air-conditioner manufacturers to offer higher scrappage values for old units and compensate the difference via government incentives or through energy credits from discoms that can be redeemed during the payment of electricity bills. AC buyers can then purchase new units at market rates. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Another proposal that is currently being evaluated is to allow customers to give up their old ACs to authorised e-waste partners and receive discounts on a new purchase via the discom. Union Power Minister Manohar Lal met last week with top executives from major air conditioner manufacturers, including Blue Star MD B. Thiagarajan, Daikin India MD KJ Jawa, and Voltas MD-designate Mukundan Menon, to discuss the issue. Changes to energy efficiency norms soon Sources told ET that the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), the agency which is responsible for setting energy norms for electrical appliances, is planning to alter the mandate for air-conditioners from the previous three to four years to two years. 'The industry has to invest around '400 crore for each rating change, which becomes difficult to recover if there are frequent changes,' an industry insider told the news outlet. According to Thiagarajan, each change in energy rating improves an air conditioner's efficiency by about 10 per cent, but also raises its price by 5–7 per cent. The installed base of ACs is projected to grow three to four times by 2030, potentially driving a 300–400 per cent increase in energy consumption. 'Frequent rating changes need inventory planning and supply chain management. What we need is a breakthrough technology in AC to make them really energy efficient like EVs in automobiles and LED in lighting,' he added.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Out with the old, in with the cool new AC: Govt working on scheme to replace units that are over 10 yrs old with fresh
The power ministry is devising a plan to encourage consumers to replace old, energy-inefficient air conditioners with new five-star rated models by offering them at discounted prices. This initiative involves scrapping old ACs through authorized e-waste partners for discounts on new purchases via electricity distributors. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Kolkata: The power ministry is working on a plan to push customers to replace air-conditioners that are over 10 years old with new five-star energy efficiency rated ones by offering them at below-market prices, two people aware of the plans told of the proposals under evaluation allows customers to scrap old ACs with authorised e-waste partners appointed by manufacturers or the government, and receive a discount on new units purchased through their electricity distributor (discom).The lower price would be made possible through bulk procurement and competitive bidding, following a model similar to the Ujala scheme , under which 368.7 million LED bulbs have been distributed through discoms over the past decade, the people option being considered is to have manufacturers offer higher scrappage value for old ACs , and compensate them through either a government incentive or energy credit from discoms that would be adjusted against electricity bills. Consumers could then buy new ACs at market rates from retail power minister Manohar Lal last week met leaders of large AC manufacturers including Blue Star managing director B Thiagarajan, Daikin India MD KJ Jawa, and Voltas MD-designate Mukundan Menon, to discuss the matter, people cited above power ministry has formed an internal committee to deliberate and finalise the norms, they confirmed the meeting with the minister but did not share further said there are about 50 million 10-years-or-older AC units in the country."Consumers typically shift their old ACs to another room or sell to a shop in exchange, which are then reused," Thiagarajan told ET. "Hence, the best way is to scrap them and consumers buying the latest and most energy efficient 5-star ACs."Meanwhile, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), which mandates energy norms for electrical appliances, is planning to revise energy efficiency norms of ACs every two years, down from 3-4 years at present, people cited above next rating tightening is planned in 2026 and another one in 2028. The last revision was undertaken in July 2022.A large section of the industry, however, is against such frequent rating changes as it involves incremental cost of research."The industry has to invest around '400 crore for each rating change, which becomes difficult to recover if there are frequent changes," an industry executive said on condition of rating change should be considered only if there is significant technology change and not every two years, the person said every rating change will improve the energy efficiency of the AC by around 10% while also pushing up prices by 5-7%.It's estimated the installed base of ACs will grow 3-4 times by 2030, which will increase energy consumption by 300-400%, he said."Frequent rating changes need inventory planning and supply chain management. What we need is a breakthrough technology in AC to make them really energy efficient like EVs in automobiles and LED in lighting," Thiagarajan said.
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Time of India
Pakistan: 2 students die, 19 others injured after LPG cylinder blast
ANI photo Two female college students died and 19 others were injured on Wednesday after a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder exploded in a college van in Ahmedpur East, ARY News reported. The incident occurred in the Liaquatpur area as the van was transporting students from three different private colleges back to their homes. As per ARY News, rescue teams promptly responded to the scene and shifted the injured to the hospital. Among the victims, 19-year-old Tayyaba Abbas and 17-year-old Ujala later succumbed to their injuries. Four other students remain in critical condition at the Burn Unit of Nishtar Hospital, Multan. Police have registered a terrorism case under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) at Saddar Police Station. The case has been filed against the principals of three different private colleges, administrative staff, van owner, and driver associated. According to the FIR, the accused individuals staff opted for a poorly maintained LPG vehicle in order to save money, risking the safety of the students. Police is conducting raids to arrest the accused. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Earlier on June 7, a gas cylinder explosion in Irum Colony, Mardan, late night collapsed the roof of a two-storey house, killing six family members and injuring two others, ARY News reported. As per details, the blast, which occurred around midnight, flattened the upper structure of the residence, as per ARY News. Among the deceased were a husband, wife, and four other family members. Rescue officials promptly arrived at the scene and shifted the bodies and the injured to a nearby hospital for treatment and identification. Earlier, eight members of a family were injured in a roof collapse incident, in the limits of Dijkot police station. Police said the incident took place at Chak No. 271-RB where roof of a dilapidated house collapsed, leaving injured to Muhammad Akram, his wife Saadia (35), their two sons- Israr (10) and Waseem (18), three daughters- Asma Akram (12), Noor Fatima (8), Kashaf Akram (4) and a guest Robina Riaz (35) after being buried under the debris.
