Options to address cooling seasonal energy efficiency performance calculation issues for air conditioners

Overview

The department, in consultation with the New Zealand Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) consulted on how air conditioner cooling seasonal energy efficiency performance is calculated following a change to the relevant Australia/New Zealand standard. The energy efficiency of air conditioners is regulated under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012 (GEMS Act).

On 3 September 2025, we released an issues paper seeking input from industry and interested stakeholders on options for improving the accuracy of cooling seasonal energy performance calculations.

How you had your say

This consultation has closed. Thank you to everyone who provided submissions. We received a range of submissions and have published those which can be made public on the Published submissions page.

Consultation documents

Options to address seasonal performance calculation issues for air conditioners [PDF 1.1MB]

Options to address seasonal performance calculation issues for air conditioners [DOCX 503KB]

Consultation outcome documents

The department has developed the attached summary paper with outcomes from the consultation and proposed approach to addressing the issues under consideration in a revised determination.

Air conditioning negative energy project update [PDF 435K]

Air conditioning negative energy project update [DOCX 145KB]

Next steps

DCCEEW is developing a draft new determination to address issues with how air conditioner cooling seasonal energy efficiency performance is calculated. A consultation draft is expected to be released in late 2026.

Read more

Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Air Conditioners up to 65kW) Determination 2019 - Federal Register of Legislation
Section 10 sets out the relationship between tested and rated values. Schedule 6 has the T0 values for commercial use cases.