Top-rated air cons in Hong Kong vary by 33% in cooling efficiency, watchdog finds

A Hong Kong consumer watchdog has discovered significant disparities in cooling efficiency among top-rated air conditioners. The Consumer Council tested 13 models of 1.5-horsepower inverter split-type air conditioners, all bearing the highest Grade 1 energy label. Their findings, released on Thursday, revealed that the cooling efficiency of these units can vary by as much as 33 percent. The watchdog highlighted these "substantial differences" in energy-saving performance and suggested that consumers should also examine the annual energy consumption figures on labels for better comparison. The council is calling for improved energy grading standards to provide consumers with more accurate information.