Archive · 1 Jan 2026
India Mandates Star Labelling for More Appliances
The Indian government has decided that more appliances, like refrigerators, TVs, and air conditioners, must now show an energy efficiency star rating.
This means these appliances will have a label showing how energy-efficient they are.
Before, this was optional, but now it's required.
The government did this to help people choose appliances that save energy and reduce carbon footprints.
However, this change will likely make these appliances more expensive, by about 5–10 per cent.
Manufacturers say the new norms will make the appliances more energy-efficient, but consumers might have to pay more for them.
The price increase could almost cancel out the benefit from a recent tax cut on air conditioners.
Government mandates star-labelling for refrigerators, TVs, LPG stoves, cooling towers, chillers, deep freezers, transformers, solar inverters, and room air conditioners from January 1, 2026.
Star-labelling was previously voluntary for these appliances, and the new norms will downgrade existing star ratings, making current 5-star ACs equivalent to 4-star under the new system.
Prices of cooling appliances are expected to rise by 5–10 per cent due to the revised star rating norms, higher costs from a weaker rupee, and rising global copper prices.
Manufacturers acknowledge the price increase but argue that the new norms will improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
The price increase could offset the benefits of a recent 10 per cent GST cut on room air conditioners.
- Who
- Government of India, Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Manufacturers (Voltas, Daikin, Blue Star, Godrej)
- What
- Mandated energy efficiency star-labelling for additional appliances and revised star rating norms
- When
- Effective from January 1, 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- To enhance energy efficiency, reduce carbon footprints, and provide consumers with better information, despite potential price increases
Manufacturers
Consumers
Price Increase
Manufacturers
Manufacturers acknowledge that prices will increase due to higher energy efficiency standards and rising costs, but argue that the new norms will improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints.
Consumers
Consumers may face higher prices for cooling appliances, which could offset the benefits of the recent GST cut on air conditioners.
- Appliances
- Refrigerators, televisions, LPG gas stoves, cooling towers, chillers, deep freezers, distribution transformers, grid-connected solar inverters, room air conditioners
- Effective Date
- January 1, 2026
- Regulatory Body
- Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
- Previous Status
- Voluntary
- Draft Regulation Introduction
- July 2025
- Expected Price Increase
- 5–10 per cent for ACs and refrigerators
- Energy Efficiency Improvement
- Around 10 per cent for new 5-star ACs
