​The Public awareness campaign led by the Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation (KAHRAMAA) through the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed) has gained momentum after its successful launching in spreading the message to go for the Energy Star rating system for Air- Conditioners ensuring energy conservation and power efficiency of ACs.

KAHRAMAA, in association with the Ministry of Municipality, the Ministry of Economy and Trade and the Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS) has announced to ban import and sale of all conventional air conditioners from July 1 this year.

As part of its Community outreach program, KAHRAMAA and Majid Al Futtaim group’s Carrefour Qatar under its Corporate Social Responsibility Program have joined hands together to spread the message among the masses.

As part of the campaign, Carrefour Qatar has extended its electrical appliances area, displaying a wide range of air conditioners with highly efficient energy performance systems.

The energy efficiency labeling system demonstrates energy efficiency and conservation parameters. The three star air conditioner (equal to Energy Efficiency Ratio EER: 8.5) for window air conditioners are the minimum allowed energy efficiency rating in Qatar, and 9,5 Energy Efficient Ratio for four stars spilt air conditioners, complying with Qatar National Vision 2030.

The more stars a product has, the more efficient it is in terms of efficiency and conservation. The system helps Qatar in protecting the environment by reducing harmful emissions. Energy efficiency stars labeling for air conditioners will be done to help customers determine the ideal air conditioners in terms of energy efficiency and reduction of carbon emissions.

The minimum energy efficiency star rating classification for air conditioners in Qatar is three (equal to Energy Efficiency Ratio EER: 8.5).

As per the new regulation to implement Star Rating System for ACS, the import, sale and distribution of energy-saving air-conditioners (window and Split) will be allowed if the unit is in accordance with the approved Qatari Standard QS 2663 and the Gulf Technical Regulation Number BD-142004-01. The energy efficiency rate in air conditioners (window and split) shall not be less than 8.5 and 9.5 BTU/hr. respectively (EER = 8.5 BTU/Hr. and 9.5 BTU/Hr.) according to testing condition (T3 & T1) for all conditioning units (3 stars at least).

Each manufacturer, or the one the manufacturer authorizes, shall register the AC’s prototype using QS approved form, and shall obtain a conformity certificate attesting to the AC’s number of stars, at least one month prior to import

The import and sale of the units will be subjected to the submission of an original test report from an ISO 17025 certified laboratory, an approved certificate issued in accordance with the IECEE CB Scheme, or a certificate of conformity from an internationally recognized body proving that the air conditioner complies with the requirements contained in the approved Qatari Standard (QS 2663) and the Gulf Technical Regulation Number BD-142004-01.

As per the regulation, Air Conditioners (window and split) shall have energy efficiency cards/labels, approved by QS, indicating the number of stars, affixed to the AC’s front part or attached by the manufacturer.

It is worth mentioning that KAHRAMAA, through the National Program for Conservation and Energy Efficiency (Tarsheed) is marching ahead to develop and evolve the standards in terms of efficiency and conservation for all the electrical gadgets and appliances, aiming reduction of electricity and water consumption rates to implement Qatar National Vision 2030.