"Report on Revision of the Label Display Program for Retailers (Water Heaters and Television Sets)" Compiled

The Label Display Program for Retailers^(*1) under the Act on the Rational Use of Energy (Act No.49 of 1979) is the main source of information to consumers provided by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Revisions were made to further improve its quality in November 2020.

A report^(*2) was also released recently on new standards for energy consumption efficiency (energy efficiency standards) under the Top Runner Program (energy efficiency regulations on energy-consuming equipment), with regard to water heaters and television sets.

The Label Display Program for Retailers was revised in light of these developments, and discussed at a council^(*3) held on March 12, 2021. The "Report on Revision of the Label Display Program for Retailers (Water Heaters and Television Sets)"^(*4) was compiled today based on the council's deliberations.

Moreover, regarding air conditioners, for which energy efficiency standards are currently under consideration, revisions to the Label Display Program for Retailers will continue to be examined based on the situation regarding the council's deliberations.

Outline of the main revisions to the Label Display Program for Retailers

1. Revision of the multiple-scale scoring system (comparative evaluation of energy consumption efficiency)

(1) Water heaters

For gas, oil, and electric water heaters, cross-category multiple-scale scoring standards (star ratings) will be set regardless of energy type, premised on use by four-person households in Tokyo and Osaka. Using the same standards will enable comparative evaluation of the energy efficiency of water heaters as a whole.

On the other hand, the primary energy efficiency of water heaters varies depending on the ambient temperature in the region where they are used and the size of the households. The corresponding rate of change also depends on the type of water heater (gas, oil, or electric).

For this reason, the energy efficiency label for each water heater will display a multiple-scale score (star rating) based on certain assumptions (for example, four-person households in Tokyo and Osaka). The primary energy efficiency will be calculated according to the region and household size, and measures will be taken to enable people to calculate the multiple-scale scores based on this.

Specifically, a webpage will be created for calculating the multiple-scale scores according to the region and household size, and the QR code for the webpage will be placed on the label to make it easier for retailers and consumers to obtain information.

•        Water heaters (electric) 　　          Water heaters (gas)                  Water heaters (oil)
  
          Figure 1. Example of labeling (related to the multiple-scale scoring system)

(2) Television sets

The current labels are based on multiple-scale scoring with five levels. In accordance with the "Report on Revision of the Label Display Program for Retailers" (September 2020) and "Report on New Energy Efficiency Standards for Television Sets" (February 2021), multiple-scale scoring with 41 levels will be adopted.

2. Indicating estimated charges for annual energy consumption

(1) Water heaters

The current labels do not indicate estimated charges for annual energy consumption. Under the revision, a new label on each water heater will indicate the estimated annual energy consumption charges for four-member households in Tokyo and Osaka. (Energy consumption and unit cost will be displayed in the label notes.)

On the other hand, the energy consumption of water heaters differs depending on the ambient temperature in the regions where they are used and the number of people in the household.

For this reason, the labels will indicate the estimated annual energy consumption charges based on certain conditions (four-person households in Tokyo and Osaka). The energy consumption rate for each water heater will be calculated based on the region and household size, and measures will be taken to enable people to calculate the estimated annual energy consumption charges based on this.

Specifically, a webpage will be created for calculating the estimated annual energy consumption charges based on the region and household size, and the QR code for the webpage will be placed on the label to make it easier for retailers and consumers to obtain information.

•        Water heaters (electric) 　　          Water heaters (gas)                Water heaters (oil)
  
            Figure 2. Example of labeling (related to the annual energy consumption charges)

(2) Television sets

The current labels indicate the estimated annual energy consumption charges. However, in light of the "Report on New Energy Efficiency Standards for Television Sets" (February 2020), the new labels will include an estimation of the charges calculated by taking the annual power consumption based on the new measurement method, and multiplying it by the unit cost for electricity.

1. A system started in 2006 to encourage consumers to choose energy-efficient equipment by having retailers use labels (such as uniform energy-efficiency labels) that clearly indicate the energy efficiency of refrigerators, etc.

2. Report compiled by the Working Group on Classification Standards for Gas and Oil Water Heaters of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy (announced in July 2020)
Report compiled by the Working Group on Classification Standards for Television Sets of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy (announced in February 2021)
Report compiled by the Working Group on Classification Standards for Air Conditioners and Electric Water Heaters of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy (announced in March 2021)

3. Working Group on Classification Standards for Retail Labeling of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Subcommittee of the Committee on Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under the Advisory Committee for Natural Resources and Energy

Related document

• Report Compiled by Working Group on Classification Standards for Retail Labeling (Summary) (PDF:220KB)

Division in Charge

Energy Efficiency Division, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Department,
Agency for Natural Resources and Energy