By Sidi Mohammed
The Peninsula
DOHA: The new energy-saving air conditioners, introduced last month in the Qatari market have received a huge response from customers, a senior official of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said yesterday.
Conventional air conditioners have been phased out from the market, following a ban on their import and sale enforced on July 1.
The authorities are now preparing to launch a massive inspection campaign to make sure all dealers and shops comply with the ban.
“Despite that we have not done much to raise public awareness about the new air conditioners, there is a huge demand for them in the market. A survey shows that more people want to buy them,” Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, Assistant Undersecretary for Laboratories and Specifications at the ministry told The Peninsula yesterday.
He said that there are enough stocks of the new ACs in the market and there is no shortage.
More than 160 types of new ACs are available in the market, including window and split units, from different brands.
Some 18 companies have been issued licences to import the energy saving air conditioners, which are commonly called “star ACs”. ACs with four, five and six stars are currently available in the market, said Al Kuwari.
“Some people are asking which type is better. We are advising them to buy the six-star ACs since they can save more energy,” said Al Kuwari.
ACs with a higher star can perform better and can save more energy.
“Soon we will announce the entry of seven and eight stars units in the market. Prices of an eight-star unit could be about 40 percent higher compared to conventional ACs,” said the official.
Al Kuwari said prices of ACs with less specifications — four-, five- and six-star are almost similar to those of the conventional ones. “We were expecting their prices to be about 10 percent higher than regular ACs but they are not, because many dealers have reduced prices,” said Al Kuwari.
He said a joint committee of representatives from the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Kahramaa and General Authority for Standards and Specifications has been set up to inspect in the market and ensure compliance by traders and dealers.
“We will start surprise inspections this month. Anyone found selling conventional ACs will be punished under the rules concerning violation of specifications,” he said. Al Kuwari said the ministry had received information that some shops, not dealers, were selling regular ACs and urged the public to report to authorities if they come across such violations.
He advised customers to approach the dealers for maintenance of new ACs at least for the first two years as other workshops are not familiar with the new technology. He said most new ACs come with a warranty and would not require frequent maintenance. Spare parts of new ACs will be available only with the dealers in the initial stages.
By Sidi Mohammed
The Peninsula
DOHA: The new energy-saving air conditioners, introduced last month in the Qatari market have received a huge response from customers, a senior official of the Ministry of Municipality and Environment said yesterday.
Conventional air conditioners have been phased out from the market, following a ban on their import and sale enforced on July 1.
The authorities are now preparing to launch a massive inspection campaign to make sure all dealers and shops comply with the ban.
“Despite that we have not done much to raise public awareness about the new air conditioners, there is a huge demand for them in the market. A survey shows that more people want to buy them,” Dr Mohammed bin Saif Al Kuwari, Assistant Undersecretary for Laboratories and Specifications at the ministry told The Peninsula yesterday.
He said that there are enough stocks of the new ACs in the market and there is no shortage.
More than 160 types of new ACs are available in the market, including window and split units, from different brands.
Some 18 companies have been issued licences to import the energy saving air conditioners, which are commonly called “star ACs”. ACs with four, five and six stars are currently available in the market, said Al Kuwari.
“Some people are asking which type is better. We are advising them to buy the six-star ACs since they can save more energy,” said Al Kuwari.
ACs with a higher star can perform better and can save more energy.
“Soon we will announce the entry of seven and eight stars units in the market. Prices of an eight-star unit could be about 40 percent higher compared to conventional ACs,” said the official.
Al Kuwari said prices of ACs with less specifications — four-, five- and six-star are almost similar to those of the conventional ones. “We were expecting their prices to be about 10 percent higher than regular ACs but they are not, because many dealers have reduced prices,” said Al Kuwari.
He said a joint committee of representatives from the Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Economy and Commerce, Kahramaa and General Authority for Standards and Specifications has been set up to inspect in the market and ensure compliance by traders and dealers.
“We will start surprise inspections this month. Anyone found selling conventional ACs will be punished under the rules concerning violation of specifications,” he said. Al Kuwari said the ministry had received information that some shops, not dealers, were selling regular ACs and urged the public to report to authorities if they come across such violations.
He advised customers to approach the dealers for maintenance of new ACs at least for the first two years as other workshops are not familiar with the new technology. He said most new ACs come with a warranty and would not require frequent maintenance. Spare parts of new ACs will be available only with the dealers in the initial stages.
