SINGAPORE - The National Environment Agency (NEA) will require higher energy efficiency from all air-conditioners imported into Singapore from September next year.

Currently, imported air-conditioners must attain at least one tick in the NEA's mandatory energy labelling scheme. The scheme measures the energy efficiency of common electrical household appliances.

From 1 Sept 2016, all air-conditioner models must score at least two ticks, the NEA said in a statement.

The move is part of the agency's efforts to improve the energy performance standards of household appliances, and is expected to allow households to save up to $100 in electricity expenses annually.

Home air-conditioning makes up 36.7 per cent of household electricity consumption according to a survey conducted by the NEA in 2012.