A new round of shuffling inverter air conditioners faces elimination

It is reported that the entry threshold of inverter air conditioner energy efficiency grades will increase substantially next year. This news is undoubtedly a bad news for SMEs.

Access threshold soared to level 3

The revision of the variable-speed air-conditioning energy efficiency standard “speed-limited room air conditioners (“inverter air conditioner”) energy efficiency limits and energy efficiency levels has basically been completed. The new standard has been completed and approved, and it enters the approval stage. It is expected that the mid-2013 will Release implementation.

Cheng Jianhong, researcher of the China National Institute of Standardization and head of the drafting team, confirmed the news to reporters. It is understood that the new standard has changed in terms of energy efficiency levels, limit values, evaluation indicators and so on. The modified energy efficiency limit value of the inverter air conditioner will be increased from the current 3.0 to 3.9, and the market access threshold will also be upgraded from 5 to 3 levels. Wu Wenxin, president of Midea Air-Conditioning Division, stated that according to the revised standards, the current primary and secondary air-conditioning levels will be automatically reduced by one level, and they will be changed into Level 2 and Level 3 respectively, adding a level of energy efficiency.

Experts in the industry generally believe that the revision of the entry threshold for inverter air conditioners has positive significance for the air conditioning industry. Home appliance industry observer Lu Bianbo said in an interview with reporters that with the development of technology, the improvement of the technical threshold is a dynamic management of the industry, the market should be so perfect. Such a product will be more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, and at the same time, it will bring you better service and experience.

Appliance analyst Liang Zhenpeng also said that the improvement of access threshold, will make the entire inverter air-conditioning energy-saving level, technical difficulty is also improved, is conducive to the survival of the fittest in the market, the stronger the stronger, weaker weaker Matthew effect.

SMEs face elimination

It is understood that the first national standard for energy efficiency of inverter air conditioners was implemented in September 2008, with energy efficiency grades of 1-5. The revision of the performance threshold entry also means that the inverter air conditioner will enter the rapid development period through the early stages of development. Experts in the industry pointed out that the increase in the threshold for inverter air conditioner production technology is to promote industrial upgrading on the one hand and to rectify the market on the other. Now that the technical difficulty of the industry has been raised again, many small and medium-sized enterprises will be eliminated from the market.

“Small and medium-sized enterprises often have shortcomings such as small output and weak technical capabilities, which make the production of air-conditioning costs high and the competitiveness of the products is not strong. This time from the technical strengthening, it is difficult for small and medium enterprises to achieve. Things," said Liang Zhenpeng.

In contrast, the improvement of access barriers has less impact on leading companies. For the exit of the current level 2 energy efficiency products, many responsible persons from Gree, Midea, and Haier told reporters that, on the one hand, the company's inefficient energy inventories are very small; on the other hand, there will be a period of time before the implementation of the new standards. Through this time to digest inventory.

According to Liang Zhenpeng, entry barriers are a good thing for large companies. With the elimination of more and more small and medium-sized enterprises, fewer and fewer companies will remain, and market share will inevitably become more concentrated.

High-energy consumption air conditioners will cut prices for sales

It is understood that air-conditioning according to technical characteristics can be divided into fixed-speed air conditioners and inverter air conditioners. Compared to fixed-speed air-conditioning, variable-speed air-conditioning has the advantages of cooling, fast heating, low noise in low-frequency operation, long-term operation and energy saving, and is therefore favored by consumers. However, due to the limitations of technology and manufacturing costs, compared with the sales amount, the inverter air conditioner is higher than the fixed speed air conditioner, and the overall market share is almost 1:1.

According to the survey agency's data, the main sales products of the market's air conditioners are currently concentrated on products with energy efficiency ratings of 3, 4, and 5. From January to October 2012, the sales of energy-efficient air conditioners of grades 1 and 2 accounted for only 29.63%, and the sales amount of grade 3 products was as high as 66.15%. According to the new standard, inverter-type air conditioners with an efficiency rating below 2 are not allowed to be listed at the moment, and 37.3% of air-conditioning products will be eliminated in the future.

Lu Renbo believes that from now until the implementation of the new standard, it is the final period of time for companies to deal with these products. It is expected that in the coming period, major manufacturers will adopt price cuts for air conditioners that do not meet the revised standards, especially at the end of this year and in April-May next year.

Zhao Huizhi, a researcher in the home appliance industry of China Investment Advisors Co., Ltd., said that the introduction of the new standard will re-distribute the current market product distribution, but it will have less impact on the current market pattern among various companies, and it is a sign of upgrading the air-conditioning industry.