CNBC AI News, July 18th – China is set to raise the bar for refrigerator energy efficiency. The State Administration for Market Regulation has released a revised national standard, “Limited Values of Energy Consumption and Energy Efficiency Grades for Household Refrigerators,” slated to take effect on June 1, 2026.
Dubbed the most significant overhaul to date, this new standard promises substantial changes in how we measure refrigerator efficiency and, more importantly, how much energy consumers can save.
According to a report by CCTV News, the new national standard classifies refrigerators into five energy efficiency grades, with lower numbers indicating greater efficiency:
1級：Most efficient, representing international leading technology.
2級：Entry-level for energy-saving products, recommended for consumers seeking efficiency.
3級 and 4級：Representing the average market performance.
5級：The minimum threshold for market entry; products failing to meet this standard will be prohibited from sale.
Aligned with the latest national subsidy policies, financial incentives will vary based on the energy efficiency grade, with the highest subsidies allocated to Grade 1 appliances.
The updated standard tightens the efficiency requirements across all grades, significantly increasing the stringency of power consumption limits. But by how much?
A researcher from the China National Institute of Standardization estimates a 30% to 40% improvement in consumption metrics. Specifically, mainstream refrigerator-freezers are expected to show the most significant gains, potentially delivering energy savings of around 40% to consumers.
Take a 500-liter side-by-side refrigerator as an example. Currently, a Grade 1 energy efficiency product must have a composite power consumption of 0.92 kWh per day.
Under the new standard, Grade 1 efficiency will demand a consumption of just 0.55 kWh per day – a 40% reduction. This translates into an annual saving of approximately 135 kWh, or roughly 68 RMB in electricity bills.
Considering annual sales of 60 million refrigerators nationwide, the potential impact is staggering. Based on these new standards, annual energy savings could reach 13 billion kWh, equivalent to one and a half months of electricity generation from the Three Gorges Dam. That’s a substantial contribution to China’s energy conservation goals.
The new standard also introduces a crucial addition: a volumetric utilization rate, effectively asking, “How much more storage can we squeeze out of the same exterior dimensions?”
Put simply, refrigerators of the same size and footprint will offer 10% to 30% more usable interior space.
Returning to our 500-liter example, compliant refrigerators could offer an additional 50 to 100 liters of usable space within the same external dimensions – a true “bigger inside, smaller outside” innovation.
This feat requires technological innovation. Manufacturers will need to employ thinner, more effective insulation materials while also miniaturizing compressors and fan components. R&D and production costs may rise, but the enhanced consumer experience will likely justify the investment.
Original article, Author: Tobias. If you wish to reprint this article, please indicate the source:https://aicnbc.com/5091.html
