In a briefing held in Colombo, Director General Harsha Wickramasinghe emphasised that many domestic electrical items—particularly refrigerators and air conditioners—are responsible for unnecessarily high power usage, contributing significantly to inflated energy bills across the island.
Recent studies conducted by the Authority reveal that a large number of households, particularly in the Western Province, are still relying on electrical appliances that are well beyond their recommended lifespan. “We found that roughly one in every three refrigerators in this region is no longer fit for use in terms of energy efficiency,” Wickramasinghe stated. “These outdated units can consume over 100 extra units of electricity each month, placing a hidden but heavy financial strain on households.”
Air conditioners, especially those manufactured more than a decade ago or imported without adhering to modern efficiency standards, were also flagged as major culprits in energy wastage. With cooling appliances becoming more widespread due to rising temperatures and changing lifestyles, the cumulative impact on national electricity demand has become impossible to ignore.
Wickramasinghe noted that the government has already moved to curb the problem by placing restrictions on the importation of low-efficiency appliances. In a further step, he confirmed that new regulations governing the energy performance standards of air conditioners are set to come into effect before the end of the year.