Big news for anyone who owns or plans to buy an air conditioner in Nigeria: The Federal Government has just approved a groundbreaking energy efficiency standard that will phase out wasteful, high-energy-consuming ACs!
In a bold move to cut down on electricity waste and slash household energy bills, Nigeria has introduced new Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for air conditioners. This means that outdated, power-hungry models will soon be a thing of the past, making way for smarter, climate-friendly cooling systems.
The policy—developed by the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN) with backing from the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) United for Efficiency (U4E) initiative—is set to revolutionize the cooling industry, ensuring that every AC sold in Nigeria meets strict efficiency benchmarks.
Air conditioners are among the biggest energy guzzlers in Nigerian homes, making up over 40% of household electricity use. Worse still, many of these ACs use outdated, inefficient technology that wastes energy and drives up electricity bills.
With the new standard in place, Nigerians will soon have access to energy-saving ACs that use up to 48% less electricity—helping families save money while reducing carbon emissions by a staggering 39 million tonnes of CO₂ over the next 15 years.
According to Dr. Rose Mwebaza, Africa Director at UNEP, this move positions Nigeria as a leader in energy efficiency across the continent.
What’s Changing?
The new energy efficiency rules will be rolled out in phases, with ACs expected to meet the following targets:
✅ 6% efficiency improvement by 2026
✅ 36% improvement by 2029
✅ 48% improvement by 2031
In addition to cutting electricity waste, the new standard also limits the use of harmful refrigerants, making air conditioning safer for the environment.
What About Old, Wasteful ACs?
The Nigerian government isn’t just setting new rules—it’s also cracking down on non-compliant models. With plans for strict enforcement, manufacturers and importers will have to label every AC unit properly, ensuring consumers know exactly what they’re buying.
The ECN’s Director-General, Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, has made it clear: “Too many Nigerians are overpaying for cooling. This policy will ensure air conditioning is more affordable and sustainable.”
To spread awareness, the government is launching nationwide campaigns to educate consumers, vendors, and businesses about the importance of switching to energy-efficient models.
Big brands are taking notice! Daikin, one of the world’s largest AC manufacturers, has already started aligning its products with Nigeria’s new efficiency standards.
“By 2026, every AC entering Nigeria will meet these new requirements,” Abdullahi confirmed.
This historic shift isn’t stopping at air conditioners. The government is already working on new standards for refrigerators, which are the second-largest energy consumers in Nigerian homes.
Meanwhile, UNEP’s United for Efficiency program is supporting a consumer finance initiative to help Nigerians afford these high-efficiency appliances without breaking the bank.
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The Bottom Line
Nigeria is no longer a dumping ground for outdated, energy-wasting ACs. The country is stepping into a greener, more affordable future—where cooling your home doesn’t have to mean sky-high electricity bills.
So, if you’re shopping for an AC soon, look out for the energy label—because the rules are changing, and wasteful cooling is on its way out!
