Air conditioners & heat pumps

Current regulations

Air conditioners and heat pumps supplied in New Zealand must comply with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and, in some cases, Mandatory Energy Performance Labelling (MEPL) requirements.

View the requirements for air conditioners 65kW or under

Regulations have been amended

EECA (Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) have now amended the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 to include air conditioners/heat pumps with a capacity above 65kW. These changes will come into force on 1 May 2026.

View the Amendment Regulations(external link)

This amendment is to align the New Zealand requirements with the Australian Government's Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Air Conditioners above 65kW) Determination 2022.

View the Australian Determination(external link)

Please note that:

Air conditioners/heat pumps manufactured in New Zealand or imported prior to 1 May 2026 with a capacity above 65kW can legally be supplied without meeting these new regulatory requirements.
All air conditioners/heat pumps manufactured in New Zealand or imported from 1 May 2026 must meet the new regulatory requirements before they can be supplied. This includes meeting the MEPS requirements and being registered.

View the requirements for air conditioners above 65kW

Project history

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Regulatory requirements under review
Have your say about product energy efficiency regulations being revised and developed in New Zealand.

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- Heat pump water heaters
  Regulatory policy options are being considered to improve the energy efficiency of heat pump water heaters in Australia and New Zealand.
- Distribution transformers
  EECA and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have consulted on policy options to improve the energy efficiency of distribution transformers in New Zealand and Australia.
- Electronic Displays: televisions, computer monitors, and digital signage displays
  At the end of 2024, the Australian Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council, agreed to introduce new minimum energy performance and labelling requirements for electronic displays.
- Residential space heaters
  EECA and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have consulted on a Space Heating Comparison Methodology
- LED lighting
  On 28 April 2018, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council Ministers, alongside New Zealand Minister of Energy and Resources - Megan Woods, agreed to introduce minimum standards for LED lamps that align with European Union regulations.
- Air conditioners & heat pumps
  Find out about the current regulation amendment process for air conditioners and heat pumps above 65kW in New Zealand.
- Chillers
  At the end of 2024, the Australian Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council, agreed to introduce new minimum energy performance requirements for chillers.
- Domestic fridges and freezers
  Find out about the current regulation amendment process for household refrigerating appliances in New Zealand.
- Three-phase electric motors
  Find out about the consultation process for improving the energy efficiency of three phase electric motors in New Zealand and Australia.
- Commercial ice makers
  Find out about the process for improving the energy efficiency of commercial ice makers in New Zealand and Australia.
- External power supplies
  Find out about the consultation process for improving the energy efficiency of external power supplies in New Zealand and Australia.
- Air conditioners - seasonal energy efficiency performance calculations
  EECA and the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water (DCCEEW) are consulting on the technical formulas used in calculating air conditioner cooling seasonal performance.

Current regulations

Regulations have been amended

New Zealand Government policy approved - 2019

Decision Regulation Impact Statement - 2018