By Mohamed Iqbal
DOHA: Following its decision to ban import and sale of all conventional air conditioners from July 1, the Ministry of Municipality and Environment has warned of legal action against traders and importers violating the rule.
Import, sale, storage and display of all ACs that do not meet Qatari and Gulf standards has been banned. Only energy-saving ACs will be allowed in the market from July 1. This forms the second phase of a campaign to phase out substandard electrical appliances from the market. Qatar General Organization for Standardization (QS) said yesterday it will conduct intensive inspection campaigns to ensure conformity of these products with the approved standards, in collaboration with authorities. It will coordinate with Kahramaa to draw random samples of AC consignments imported for laboratory testing to verify compliance with the standards, based on the accompanying certificates.
“All necessary legal actions shall be taken against equipment and materials not conforming to the referred standards,” said a QS statement.
Practical studies on air conditioners proved that their energy consumption accounts for about 70 percent of the total electricity produced in the buildings sector, and therefore reduction of air-conditioning energy consumption depends on five main factors: improving thermal insulation in houses, improving the sealed closure of the residence against air leakage, choosing good quality energy-saving appliances, conducting periodic maintenance of ACs, and finally the wise adjustment of indoor temperature.
It is estimated that the number of air conditioners currently installed in the State amounts to eight million units, about 70 percent of which are of the window type, according to the 2014 Statistical Book.
The campaign will start on July 1 and the regulatory authorities will monitor ports and markets to ensure the application of energy efficiency criteria set in the Standard.
The aim of the rationalization program on all electrical appliances is to save an average of 20 percent of energy.
Then it will be easy to apply the energy efficiency standard to new buildings so that all buildings would become energy-saving.
