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Chandigarh Administration Mandates Minimum Star Rating for Government Procurement of Appliances

The Chandigarh Administration, through the Energy Management Cell, has issued a notification under the powers conferred by Section 18 of the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, to promote energy efficiency and conservation. Effective from the publication date of the notification, all departments, boards, corporations, and government-aided institutions within the Union Territory of Chandigarh are required to adopt energy-efficient appliances and equipment with a minimum prescribed BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) star rating for all new procurements.

This mandate is aimed at enhancing energy conservation in government buildings and public infrastructure by ensuring that only appliances with minimum energy-efficient standards are procured. The notification outlines the star ratings for various electrical appliances and equipment, specifying the minimum standards to be met for different categories of products. Additionally, the heads of departments are allowed the option to procure appliances with higher star ratings than the prescribed minimum.

The following appliances and their minimum BEE star ratings have been detailed:

• Room Air Conditioners (Inverter and Non-Inverter Type/Fixed Speed) – A minimum of 4 Star rating for certain models, with higher ratings required for larger capacities.
• Colored Televisions – 3 Star for up to 32 inches and 4 Star for larger models.
• Ultra High Definition (UHD) Televisions – 4 Star minimum.
• Lighting LED Lamps – 4 Star for lamps up to 40W and 5 Star for those above 40W.
• Refrigerators (Frost Free and Direct Cool) – Minimum of 4 Star for most models, with some exceptions for direct cool refrigerators.
• Electric Water Heaters – 3 Star for capacities up to 100L, and 5 Star for larger units.
• Tubular Fluorescent Lamps – 4 Star.
• Deep Freezers – Minimum 5 Star rating.
• Light Commercial Air Conditioners – 5 Star.
• Ceiling Fans – 5 Star for 1200 mm sweep and 4 Star for 1400 mm sweep.
• Distribution Transformers (Oil Type) – 4 Star.
• Washing Machines – Minimum 5 Star rating.

The adoption of these standards is expected to foster energy conservation across government sectors in Chandigarh, significantly reducing energy consumption and contributing to the region’s sustainability goals. The move also aligns with national efforts to promote energy efficiency across various sectors. By mandating higher efficiency standards, the Chandigarh Administration is taking a proactive approach in addressing the growing concerns around energy consumption and climate change.