The United States introduced five new energy-saving standards

On September 9, the reporter learned from Gree, Midea and other air conditioner manufacturers that the US Energy Agency (DOE) introduced five new energy-saving standards such as incandescent lamps, air conditioners, commercial boilers and vending machines.

On the same day, the US Energy Agency also hanged a consultation plan on its official website, stating that the US government will introduce an energy-saving subsidy policy for home appliances such as air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, etc. in October this year, for high-efficiency home appliances. The one-off subsidy standard of 50-200 US dollars / Taiwan, the US government's subsidy budget will be about 300 million US dollars.

But at present, it seems that with the implementation of two new policies of the US Energy Agency, this "last supper" is also unsustainable.

Improve energy efficiency standards

The reporter learned that the US Department of Energy proposed in early 2006 to raise the air-conditioning energy efficiency standard to 12-13 (equivalent to China's first-class energy efficiency standards) by the beginning of 2010. However, from the market reaction, the US market is highly energy-efficient. Air-conditioner sales are not optimistic, and prices are still the main reason hindering the further improvement of energy-efficient air conditioners. In order to change this situation, the US Energy Agency announced on September 9 the new energy-saving standards for five products such as incandescent lamps, commercial boilers, air conditioners, and vending machines. The standard will come into effect in 2012.

Relevant persons of the market research organization "Industry Online" told reporters that by August this year, the largest market for China's air-conditioning export single country is still the United States. "In April-August this year, the total export volume of Chinese household air conditioners to the US rose month by month. At present, the monthly export volume is between 2 million and 3 million units, and more than 60% of them are still energy-efficient window-type and split-type air conditioners of 4 and 5 levels.

"The US air-conditioning market is a very special diversified market. In the United States, there are three high-end markets occupied by three air-conditioning giants such as Carrier, York, and Trane. There are also low-end and mid-ends occupied by China's Gree, Midea, Haier and other air-conditioning giants. The market, and in the past, the US air-conditioning market does not seem to have high requirements for energy efficiency.” Wen Chunsheng, head of the TCL air-conditioning marketing department, told this reporter.

There are indeed a lot of "weird status quo" in the US air-conditioning market: China's largest export to the United States is still high-energy window air conditioners that have disappeared in the Chinese market, and high-efficiency inverter air conditioners with a market share of over 90% in the United States. Market sales are almost zero.

Although the US Energy Agency has raised the energy efficiency standards for air conditioners several times in the past 10 years, low-energy efficiency air conditioners still occupy the largest market share in the US market.

It is understood that the energy efficiency ratio of the local common window air conditioners in the United States is basically 9.7 ~ 9.8 (equivalent to China's energy efficiency standard 2.7-2.8), that is, China's air conditioning 4, 5 energy efficiency standards.

300 million US dollars subsidy

Gree Electric (000651, shares it) market related people told reporters that the US Energy Agency's new energy-saving standards are mainly for commercial air-conditioning, and the current domestic commercial air-conditioning exports are not large, so this policy does not affect China's air-conditioning exports Big, but he is worried that the energy conservation subsidies that the US Energy Agency is about to implement may have an impact on China's export of low-efficiency air conditioners.

In the case of the previous policy of setting energy-saving standards, it is difficult to obtain market recognition, the US government has also been trying to promote the popularization of energy-efficient air conditioners through energy-saving subsidies.

As early as 2006, the US state governments initiated and implemented the policy of purchasing energy-saving subsidies for energy-saving air conditioners. Currently, the US state governments have given different levels of energy-saving subsidies according to local conditions, with an average range of about 10%, such as California. In developed regions such as New York and Washington, it is as high as 20%.

However, the limited subsidy model of these states is not effective. The above subsidies have not changed the absolute mainstream of window air conditioners in the US market. Therefore, after a period of brewing, a national energy-saving policy has already been adopted. Calling for it.

The reporter learned that the US Energy Agency plans to officially target the white-home energy-saving products such as refrigerators in October this year, and implement a purchase subsidy policy with a maximum subsidy of about US$200 (about RMB 1,365).

In addition to refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, dishwashing machines and other household appliances that meet energy-saving standards, including imported goods, can receive purchase subsidies. The specific subsidy ranges from 50-200 US dollars, and the total budget is about 300 million US dollars.

At present, the US Energy Agency requires states to report to the specific implementation plan of the system by October 15th. The policy will purchase subsidized goods at a discount to consumers, and the government will subsidize retail stores afterwards. Way to implement.

Of course, the US energy-saving subsidy policy, in addition to environmental considerations, can also be seen as a policy of the government to stimulate domestic demand, not to be excluded by the relevant policies of Japan, China and other countries. In April this year, China took the lead in introducing energy-efficient appliances with energy efficiency level three or above into the scope of subsidies for home appliances to the countryside. In mid-May, the Japanese government also launched a subsidy system for energy-saving home appliances “environmental protection points”.

China's export air conditioning test

For China's air-conditioning giants, although the financial crisis has reduced China's air-conditioning exports to the US by about 30%, the US market, which has been open for a long time, has been its largest and most stable overseas market.

In the US air-conditioning market, China's Gree, Midea, Haier, and Tianjin LG Electronics produce air conditioners that are mainly low- and mid-end energy-efficient products. If the US Energy Agency subsidizes energy-efficient air conditioners nationwide and continues in 2012. If the energy efficiency standards of air conditioners are raised, then the energy-efficient air conditioners produced in China will face pressure from the market.

The US household air conditioners told reporters that for China's 4th and 5th grade energy-efficient air conditioners, the production in the domestic market has basically stopped. The sales blowouts in the past few months have basically digested the stocks, and now their production and sales are facing the United States. And emerging markets, of which the United States accounts for more than 60% of the market.

The reporter learned that Midea and Gree are among the largest Chinese companies exporting air conditioners to the United States. Among them, the United States exports more than 500,000 units per month to the United States. Obviously, under such circumstances, these air-conditioning giants still maintaining the production and export of energy-efficient air conditioners of Class 4 and 5 will face great challenges.

In addition, in addition to the US energy-saving subsidy policy and new energy-saving standards, the EU's energy-saving subsidies and the environmental directives EuP, which has been implemented in August 2007, will also create environmental barriers for Chinese air-conditioning companies.

In response to the test of these environmental protection directives, some Chinese air-conditioning giants have made some preparations in advance. The relevant personnel of Haier Group Corporate Culture Center said that all of Haier’s sales in the United States have been converted into energy-saving air conditioners, and most of them have energy efficiency standards. Already reaching 12, these products have received 15%-20% government energy conservation subsidies in the United States.

Gree Electric's marketing department also said that "Gree has deliberately reduced the scale of export of US air conditioners this year. In addition to avoiding overseas operational risks, we are also developing new products that adapt to new environmental directives."

However, these Chinese air-conditioning products that have adapted to the new energy-saving standards are facing the variables of whether they can continue to have a competitive advantage in overseas markets (310,368 net worth, fund).