AIR-CONDITIONER and refrigerator models that are more energy-efficient also have lower lifecycle costs, a study has found.

Under the National Energy Agency's (NEA) Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme, appliances receive an energy efficiency rating on a scale from zero to four ticks based on their energy consumption. The more ticks an appliance has on its Energy Label, the more energy efficient it is.

Mandatory energy labelling of air-conditioners and refrigerators kicked in in January last year.

An NEA study revealed that energy efficient models generally have lower lifecycle costs compared to inefficient ones.

For air-conditioners with cooling capacities ranging from 5.5 to 6kW, the lifecycle cost of four-tick models are about 50 per cent less than that of the single-tick ones.

Similarly for refrigerators, the lifecycle costs of four-tick models are also about 50 per cent less than the single-tick models for volumes between 350 and 450 litres.

The lifecycle cost of an appliance includes the cost price of the appliance as well as the lifespan electricity cost of running it.

The study debunks a popular misconception that products which are more energy-efficient are more costly as it found that such models are not necessarily the most expensive in the market. This especially applies to refrigerators in which other factors such as the features of a model influence the purchase price also.

'We are delighted to note that retailers have increased their range of the more energy efficient appliances.

'This can be attributed to higher consumer demand due to increased sophistication of consumers, who are now more aware of the energy savings that they can reap by adopting energy efficient models,' said Mr Andrew Tan, Chief Executive Officer of NEA.

The 14-month-long study was conducted from January 2008 to February 2009, involving 11 retailers across 57 outlets.

The public may find out more about eenergy efficiency at various locations across Singapore during the inaugural Energy Challenge Week which started last Saturday and will end on Sunday.

A key event of Clean and Green Singapore 2009 is the Energy Challenge Fair 2009, which will take place from Friday to Sunday at Marina Square Central Atrium, where the latest in energy efficient technology and innovation in household appliances will be showcased by more than 20 companies.

In support of the main event, various grassroots and community activities focusing on energy efficiency will be organised within various districts round the island.