Controversy Emerges Over Hitachi Air Conditioners’ Energy Efficiency in Mumbai
Consumer activists in Mumbai have raised a fervent demand for action as a result of recent revelations about certain air conditioning units manufactured by Hitachi failing to meet energy efficiency standards. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has come under scrutiny following its release of newspaper advertisements cautioning consumers against purchasing two models of Hitachi air conditioners—split room AC and window room AC.
The crux of the issue revolves around these ACs not meeting the prescribed energy efficiency parameters. In response, consumer advocates are calling for the BEE to take decisive steps, including recalling the deficient products from the market, changing the labeling, and outlining a plan for compensating affected buyers.
BEE’s public notices highlight that the split room AC failed to meet the expected ‘3 star’ energy efficiency rating, while the window room AC fell short of the coveted ‘5 star’ rating. This revelation has ignited a series of questions about quality checks and certification processes. Consumer activist Jehangir Gai questioned how these ACs even entered the market with their labels intact, emphasizing the need for BEE to inform the Consumer Protection Authority and initiate recalls for products that have failed efficiency standards.
Energy efficiency takes center stage in this debate, as Gai aptly noted that ACs are now more affordable than electricity itself. The substantial impact of subpar energy efficiency on electricity bills has far-reaching implications for consumers over the product’s lifespan, which is typically expected to be around five years.
Further investigations uncovered discrepancies on the BEE website regarding the ACs’ ratings. The split AC’s rating was downgraded from ‘3 star’ in 2021 to ‘2 star’ in 2022, while the window AC’s ratings remained absent from the website.
Advocate Shirish Deshpande, chairman of Mumbai Grahak Panchayat, a consumer body, emphasized that the BEE’s newspaper advertisements were not mere advertisements, but formal notices highlighting Hitachi’s failure to maintain expected standards. Deshpande raised concerns about the fate of consumers who had already purchased these underperforming ACs, underscoring that they were deceived by misleading claims and labels.
Deshpande urged the BEE to exercise its authority and require Hitachi to withdraw the affected products from the market, comply with BEE’s directives, and revise their advertising materials accordingly. While the BEE has issued warnings to potential buyers, there remains a void in addressing the concerns of those who have already invested in the flagged products.
Significantly, queries were also raised about the exclusivity of focusing on Hitachi’s products, prompting questions about why only Hitachi’s flawed products were mentioned in the BEE notices.
As this controversy unfolds, the BEE and Hitachi’s response—or lack thereof—leaves both consumers and consumer advocates eagerly awaiting further developments in this ongoing debate over energy efficiency standards and consumer protection.
