New Zealand’s MEPs for AC now in effect

The amendments to the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002 came into effect from May 1, 2026, following extensive stakeholder and industry consultation. EECA says the new rules align the NZ market with Australia’s Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Air Conditioners above 65kW) Determination 2022.

Units above 65kW must comply with Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and, in some cases, Mandatory Energy Performance Labelling (MEPL) requirements. 

The MEPS requirements for air conditioners comprise minimum Annual Energy Efficiency Ratio (AEER) and Annual Coefficient of Performance (ACOP) values that the air conditioner must meet under test conditions.  The specific values can be found here.

MEPS apply to all air conditioners that have all the following features:

• Use the vapour compression cycle
• Are air-to-air
• Have a cooling capacity or heating capacity (for heating only products) greater than 65kW
• Are single and/or three phase
• Are ducted and/or non-ducted
• Are unitary or single-split or multi-split.

The air conditioner may incorporate any of the following extra features:

• Air purification
• Ventilation
• Heat recovery
• Water heating
• A heating element for air heating.

Exemptions

Some system types are exempt, including close control air conditioners, liquid-chilling packages, cooling systems that do not use a vapour compression cycle such as evaporative coolers, water-to-air air conditioners, dehumidifiers and air conditioners that do not condition air sourced from the conditioned space.

In addition, mains-powered air conditioners specifically designed for installation in mobile applications such as caravans, mobile homes, camper vans, boats and rail cars are also exempt, as are mains-powered air conditioners specifically designed for installation in specialised high temperature industrial applications.

Read more about the new MEPS here.

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