Lower Hutt company Kumars Autoservices Limited has pleaded guilty today to failing to meet a number of energy efficiency regulations for air conditioners they imported and sold in 2024.
EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) prosecuted Kumars Autoservices after testing its Mitsu-Fuji branded air conditioner units and finding they failed to comply with energy efficiency regulations1. Kumars Autoservices pleaded guilty to five charges, including importing and selling units that did not comply with energy efficiency standards, failing to label units with energy efficiency information as required, and failing to supply energy efficiency information requested by EECA.
EECA GM Policy and Regulation Murray Bell says these below-standard units could cost homeowners an additional $700-$1400 over the life of the product at current energy prices.
Bell emphasised the importance of Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for household appliances: “Standards are the quiet heroes of the energy efficiency world – they keep underperforming products out of New Zealand, which would otherwise cost households significantly more to run.”
Bell noted that 102 million products have been sold under the MEPS programme since 2002. “This has saved businesses and consumers over 108.3 PJ of energy – that’s enough to power around 2.5 million homes for a year – New Zealand has fewer than 2 million homes. It equates to around $2.6 billion of national benefit.”
Bell said anyone who manufactures or imports products covered by the regulations is required to comply including by ensuring that their products meet MEPS (through testing) and are labelled correctly. EECA check-tests appliances for both commercial and household use, and prefers to work with parties involved to resolve any non-compliance. It is easier for importers and manufacturers, whether small or large, to engage with EECA before products are made or ordered to ensure compliance with the requirements.
“Prosecution is the last resort – we would prefer to collaborate in order to raise standards by supporting businesses to comply. In this case, Kumars Autoservice didn’t engage with us, even though they had been provided test results on their air conditioners and issued a letter of warning.”
Bell advises homeowners who have a model that has failed testing to contact the retailer.
Kumar Autoservices will be sentenced later in October, when the Court will determine the appropriate fine to impose.
1 EECA is responsible for ensuring compliance with the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using products) Regulations 2002. EECA check tests regulated products to ensure they meet Minimum Energy Performance Standards and label requirements, as well as the energy efficiency claims of manufacturers and suppliers.
Background
View EECA's product check testing results
View information on how to comply with the regulations
List of products and requirements covered by the regulations
Please note: Mitsu-Fuji is not associated with Mitsubishi or Fujitsu.