Energy efficient appliances slow to gain consumer trust

Electricity has increased in price since March 2010, making the energy efficient appliance market more bustling.

One technology that home appliance manufacturers have introduced recently is inverter technology utilized in refrigeration equipment.

The technology helps machines automatically adjust refrigeration capacity based on actual conditions. As for microwave ovens, inverter technology allows constant heat to increase the machine’s productivity. With LCD TVs, the induction function of TVs allows it to recognize the presence of people, so a TV will automatically turn off when there is no one there to save electricity.

Previously, energy efficient appliances meant compact lamps that saved more electricity than normal ones. Meanwhile, energy efficient products are now diversified, from refrigerators, microwave ovens to air conditioners and washing machines. Manufacturers have been competing fiercely with each other to launch their products.

The Electrolux washing machine producer advertises its L64850LE model as energy efficient and Panasonic has introduced Envio P2 with an automatic induction unit. LG offers its Health air conditioner with inverter technology. Sony launched LCD TV Bravia 2010 series with some 30 models, many of which claim to save up to 40-50 percent on electricity.

Nguyen Viet Tiep, Communication Director of Nguyen Kim Trade Company and owner of the Nguyen Kim Shopping chain, reported that sales turnover for energy efficient appliances are much lower than revenue from normal products.

According to Tiep, it is because product prices are relatively high, 20-30 percent more than regular products, which do not fit the wallets of most consumers. For example, an energy efficient air-conditioner sells at 8 -10 million dong (one horse power and 1.5 horse power), while normal air-conditioners run only 5-6 million dong each.

Le Trong Dinh, Chair of Kim Dinh Group, noted that LED lamps, a modern electricity-saving product, has a life expectancy 10 times longer than normal lamps, but they are still not selling well, because the price is four times higher.

According to Thoi bao Vi tinh Saigon newspaper, high prices are not the only obstacle. Consumers also want to know whether or not the products can help save electricity as advertised.

Le Hong Phuong, a HCM City housewife, received conflicting information about the same air conditioner. When she came to a home appliance centre near her house, she was told that the air conditioner saved 60 percent on electricity. Another shop claimed that the product saved 40 percent.

Thoi bao Kinh te Saigon

Tags: Energy efficient appliances, Vietnam electricity, Vietnam energy, Vietnam power shortage