Popular searches
Items per page
- 2020.12
- Tips
- Green Living
Beware of Traps – Shop Smartly on the Web
Understand the role of online shopping platforms In addition to the different product offerings, each online shopping platform’s role in the transaction may differ if you check closely. For example, online apparel websites such as ASOS and Zalora play the role of sourcing companies, selling items that they have sourced to their consumers. On the other hand, Amazon, Taobao, etc., act as intermediaries between buyers and sellers. Some platforms such as big big shop and HKTVmall are hybrids, i.e., acting as intermediaries between suppliers and buyers well as selling products sourced by themselves. Why is this information important? Well, that is because the roles they play define their responsibilities! Before shopping online, consumers should find out which party to make enquiries and negotiate should there be a dispute. Take ASOA and Zalora as examples, consumers can contact the customer service teams of these shopping platforms. Some websites require customers to contact the suppliers directly, but the means can vary. For example, Taobao customers need to contact the suppliers through Taobao’s preset channels, while for some products sold on HKTVmall, customers have to make enquiries with suppliers according to the instructions listed on the product information page. Some websites only accept enquires made to their customer service teams when buyers have difficulties in contacting the suppliers. Is the website safe and reliable? If the website is a small online shop rather than operated by a large and reputable online store, then consumers should be more cautious. For example, please take a look at its website, "https" and "http" are quite different! URLs start with "https" are safer links. If warnings pop up in the browser, or the webpage is only presented as "http", then DON’T disclose any personal information via this webpage. Difficult to seek redress from overseas operators Many websites have a "region/language" option to cater to the global consumer base. However, even if "Hong Kong" is selected as the region or the website displays the word ".hk", it does not necessarily mean that the website is operated by a local (Hong Kong) company. Consumers should read the content of the website carefully and check the specific information and reputation of the operator based on information under "About Us", "Terms and Conditions" and "Contact Method". In some previous cases, some websites marked the prices in Hong Kong dollars, but settled the transactions in other currencies, and consumers were forced to pay for the exchange rate difference. Furthermore, if it is a small overseas trader, consumers may have difficulties in following up or seeking redress should there be any dispute or issue. Consumers should therefore evaluate the risks carefully. “Double count” or “pay later” in shipping costs Some shopping platforms operate a dual delivery system, i.e., delivery by the shopping platform or directly by the supplier(s). Goods from the same order may be delivered through different ways, and the shipping charges will also be calculated separately. Consumers should pay attention at checkout to see if the goods will be sent separately by different traders, because the shipping charges of each separately sent product will be calculated separately, which may increase the total shipping costs beyond the original budget. Some shopping platforms mainly target local customers and therefore the shipping costs will be shown even before customer entering the delivery address, thereby making it easier for consumers to make price/cost comparison. On the contrary, some overseas shopping platforms display the shipping costs only after payment information and delivery address are entered, or even after completion of the purchase process. At the same time, the shopping process of some platforms can be quite unusual as the system will not provide the shipping costs at the time of purchase, and after 1 or 2 days, the buyer will receive a confirmation email from the supplier specifying the shipping method and costs. Buyers will need to reply to confirm such arrangement before supplier dispatch the goods. In this case, consumers should pay attention and check their emails to avoid cancellation of the order. Automatic payment renewal? Many online shopping websites use promotional discounts, such as "half price for new members!", etc. to attract customers to become members in order to establish long-term customer relationship. However, many consumers may not know that certain conditions may be attached to the membership, such as monthly fee. They will only find out when their credit cards are automatically charged with the information they provided to the website. So before registering as members, consumers should read the terms and conditions carefully. Websites unilaterally cancel the order? Most shopping platforms will send an email to confirm the order after a customer has made the payment. Consumers should pay attention to verify the product information listed in such emails. Some shopping platform may cancel orders for various reasons! Previously, there were cases where some platforms cancelled transactions due to lack of stock or for no reason at all. If a consumer purchase multiple items in one go in order to save shipping costs, then he or she may end up not saving at all. Incomplete list of prohibited goods Some mainland online shopping platforms may list out goods that are prohibited for export. However, this may not be the complete list, so consumers who have purchased prohibited goods may have their transactions cancelled by the shopping platforms. Therefore, consumers should log in to the platforms from time to time to check the delivery status of their purchased goods. Consumers should also be aware that individual courier company may impose delivery restrictions on certain goods, such as health foods and supplements, seaweed, dried fruits, canned foods, hair dye, aromatherapy products, nail polish, leather, infant formulas, etc. Check the return policy in advance After all, consumers make online purchase decisions relying mainly on the photos and descriptions provided by the traders. When they see the real goods, they may not like and want to return them. However, some platforms will state in the terms and conditions that they will only accept returns due to damages or inconsistencies in product descriptions. And consumers will need to bear the shipping costs if they choose to return the goods without any valid reason. In particular, the mainland has stricter controls on the delivery of goods. If consumers purchase certain regulated goods through mainland online shopping platforms, even if the sellers agree to the return requests, they may still unable to return the goods due to delivery / shipment controls. Therefore, consumers should evaluate the risks carefully before any purchase. Is the return procedure clear? Some platforms may have very convenient procedures to return goods. Consumers simply need to log in their accounts, press a few buttons, and then take the goods to the convenience stores and the process is completed. However, there are also platforms that do not specify the return policies and application procedures, and do not provide any instructions or links. If you don’t take a screenshot of the product information page when purchasing the product, you may miss the only information for return purpose. Therefore, it is best to keep transaction records when doing online shopping, and contact customer service team as soon as possible to ask about the return procedure. Handling return makes your head spin? If you only need to press a button on the website, and go to a convenience store to hand over the return goods, it is of course convenient. However, the return procedures of some online shopping platforms are more complicated. First of all, consumers can only apply for return by sending emails to the platforms or retailers, and then follow the instructions in the reply emails to complete the process. Sometimes, the customer service personnel may fail to respond in time prior to the deadline, causing delay in the return process. The pain of arranging courier service At the same time, the need to arrange courier service is also a headache for many consumers, such as choosing the right courier company to use. When filling in customs clearance information, there is a chance that the goods cannot be sent due to the lack of recipient's business registration information. If you need to send back the goods at your own expense, sometimes the shipping costs could be similar to the price of the goods, making it pointless to go through the whole return process, and you will also bear the risk of loss or damage to the goods during the delivery process. These are all aspects that consumers need to consider in advance. Don't delay the return process Everyone knows that most online shopping platforms have a return period. Some platforms set the deadline on the 7th day from the receipt of the goods. The refund button in the account will disappear after this date! Therefore, consumers must inspect the goods as soon as possible after receipt, and start the return process if there is any problem with the goods. The refund method and amount are not as expected? How do shopping platforms return customers’ money after successfully processing their requests? Most consumers tend to prefer the money to be returned via the original payment route. However, some platforms will provide two options: 1) via the original payment route; or 2) to the customer’s account with the platform. 1 shopping platform even stated in its policy that refund could only be made to customers’ accounts with the platform if they apply for return after certain period. In addition, consumers must also remember to check the refund amount. The Consumer Council (or the “Council”) had previously conducted a survey and found that some platforms did not refund the full amount to the customers. The Council purchased a variety of popular goods via 9 online shopping platforms that are familiar to Hong Kong people. After receiving the goods, the Council requested refunds on certain transactions, so as to better understand the delivery process and policies and procedures with respect to the return of goods, as well as the quality of their customer service. If you want to learn more about this survey, please refer to the article, “Pay Heed to Online Shopping Return Policy Survey Revealed 3 Major Issues”, CHOICE Magazine, Issue 516 (Chinese version only).
- 2020.11
- Tips
- Home Appliances
No Fear of Feeling Cold When Taking a Bath in Winter! Tips for Purchasing Thermal Ventilators
They are all bathroom heaters Whatever their brand name, thermo ventilators, bathroom warmers, bathroom ventilating heaters etc. are in fact all bathroom heaters. The main functions claimed are heating, ventilating, air circulation and drying clothes. Getting to know the two main types There are two main types of thermal ventilators - ceiling mounted and window mounted: Window mounted models can be installed in the 20 cm (about 8 inches) wide opening of the bathroom window for the ventilator fan, while the ceiling mounted models may require the installation of a suspended ceiling to conceal the ventilation pipes. Some models can be either installed in the window, on the ceiling or mounted on the wall. However, models without waterproof designs will require a waterproof cover to be installed at additional cost. Some thermal ventilators have a special compressor dehumidifying function which allegedly enhances the efficacy of drying clothes and the bathroom, and both window mounted and ceiling mounted models are available. Four main selection criteria for bathroom heaters The following video clip includes the main points of comparison between different heater models: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMlWi5SRyw0&feature=emb_title 1. Size of the bathroom and the heater Ifthere is no window in the bathroom, the installation of a ceiling mounted thermal ventilator can be considered. As compared to wall mounting models, the distance for the delivery of warm air is shorter and hence more effective. On the other hand, window type models are usually smallerand can be conveniently installed in the opening for the bathroom ventilator fan. 2. Heating capacity To find a thermal ventilator with strong heating capacity, it is most important to know its rated power as the heating function of the thermal ventilator comes mainly from a PTC (positive thermal coefficient, or thermistor) ceramic heater and a fan to blow out the warm air. The key factor affecting the production of warm air is the power of the heating element. Therefore, a 2,000 watt (W) bathroom heater can generate more heat than a 1,200W one. It should be noted that the Consumer Council has found in tests that for most thermal ventilators with ceramic heaters, the measured input power is higher than their rated input power when operating under low temperatures. Due consideration should be given to the potential upsurge in electric current to avoid tripping the circuit breaker, especially in severely cold weather. 3. Clothes drying function According to tests conducted by the Consumer Council, the clothes drying speed of the best and worst performing models differ by as much as 5 times! Ceiling mounted models perform generally better in drying clothes. They take less time and consume less energy. When drying clothes, ceiling type models deliver warm air from top to bottom which blows dry wet clothes hanging near the air outlet, resulting in a more even drying effect. In addition, some thermal ventilators will exchange the moist air indoors with drier air from the outside. This ventilation operation design can also help speed up the drying of clothes. Moreover, heaters with built-in compressor dehumidifying functions can remove moisture condensation and reduce the humidity in the vicinity in order to speed up the removal of moisture from the clothes. However, there are not many choices for this type of model. 4. Installation Window type models are mostly installed with a waterproof shell so that they can be mounted conveniently outside the window, and the cost of buying another waterproof cover can be saved. Installation costs are higher for ceiling mounted models due to the need for installing a suspended ceiling. Therefore, when selecting models, it is also important to ask whether the price includes installation fees, the length of the maintenance period as well as whether additional on-site inspection fees are required. To learn more about the Consumer Council's detailed test results for 10 bathroom heaters, please click [Issue 494 of the Choice Magazine “Enjoy a warm winter! 2 bathroom heaters warm air and dry clothes fast!” (Chinese version only)]
- 2020.10
- Features
- Leisure and Entertainment
Love-Hate Relationship with Caffeine
Rediscover "Caffeine" Why is it called "caffeine"? Coffee can reinvigorate the mind, relieve fatigue and energise the body. All these effects are brought about by "caffeine". Caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Through stimulating the CNS, one can feel refreshed and become more focused. However, excessive intake will cause side effects such as an increase in heart rate and anxiety. In fact, caffeine is not unique to coffee. It can also be found in tea, cocoa and other plants. It is named “caffeine” as it was first discovered in coffee. After its discovery, caffeine has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Nowadays caffeine can be found in all types of drinks, such as Coke, milk tea, lemon tea, and even some chrysanthemum tea and sports drinks, giving consumers a boost of energy after consumption. Help! I might be a little addicted... The “love affair” with caffeine has made people focus only on the good aspect, such as its refreshing effect, but ignore the potential downside that it can be addictive. But as long as you avoid excessive intake, you can still enjoy coffee with peace of mind. Health organisations around the world have yet to suggest a universal standard for appropriate intake level, but children, adolescents, and people who suffer from high blood pressure, arrhythmia, mental illness, neurological diseases, and certain liver and kidney diseases, as well as women who are breastfeeding should pay attention to their intake level. Pregnant women are advised to limit their daily caffeine intake to no more than 200-300mg. If you find yourself becoming dependent on caffeine, it may be time to cut down. Instead of stopping abruptly, you can try to gradually reduce the amount, or replace it with "decaffeinated" coffee first! Weak coffee might not contain less caffeine It is more difficult than you think to figure out the caffeine content. Want to drink coffee without consuming too much caffeine? Many people tend to avoid drinking dark, bitter coffee. However, the strength of taste does not necessarily reflect the caffeine content. Consumers should not “guesstimate” the caffeine content purely based on the taste. Food labels may not have the right information on caffeine Have you noticed that the word “caffeine” pops up on the food labels of many energy drinks, but cannot be found on coffee products? It is because under Hong Kong legislation, only non-naturally occurring ingredients need to be listed. As caffeine exists naturally in coffee, there is no need for extra disclosure. Furthermore, food and beverages sold in Hong Kong do not need to disclose their caffeine content. If you belong to the high-risk groups mentioned above, then remember to pay extra attention! A Must-have for Urban Espresso Lovers: Automatic Espresso Machines Select an espresso machine carefully to make that perfect cup of espresso Want to enjoy the indulgent aroma and taste of fresh coffee both at work and at home? Maybe it is time to invest in an espresso machine! Espresso machines have many functions nowadays, and some even have a milk frother, just like a self-contained mini café in itself! In addition to the flavour of the espresso, other deciding factors include the speed of the machine, energy efficiency, drip, etc. Espresso machines can generally be divided into 3 categories: Semi-automatic: Only ground coffee can be used. It involves a more manual process, such as grinding coffee beans, loading the portafilter, and tamping. Coffee enthusiasts could really enjoy the process given the high level of customisation and hands-on experience. Fully automatic: Coffee beans are placed into the machine, which grinds the coffee beans into powder then brews fresh espresso. This option offers a balance between convenience and enjoyment. Pod / capsule coffee machines: This type of coffee machine uses pre-packaged pods or capsules. You can enjoy a fresh cup of coffee by simply inserting the pod / capsule and pressing a button. It is the most convenient option though it does not offer much room for customisation. Putting the same beans into different espresso machines may produce vastly different results. For example, the temperature and aroma could vary a lot. No wonder the price range of espresso machines runs the gamut from below $1,000 to over $10,000. Before buying an espresso machine, you may want to read the article “Speed of Espresso Machines Could Vary by 3 Times” from CHOICE Magazine, Issue 504. The Consumer Council tested a number of popular espresso machines, which will hopefully help you to select your ideal model to make that perfect cup! “Convenience” vs “Environment” – Make the right choice today Nowadays, capsule espresso machines are becoming increasingly popular. However, at least 1 capsule is used for every cup of espresso, which is indeed not environmentally friendly. In fact, not all capsules are made of plastic — some are made of aluminium. The former cannot be recycled, but the latter can! Consumers can bring the used aluminium capsules back to the stores or to have them collected during the next delivery. If you opt for plastic capsules, then at least don’t waste the coffee grounds after use. Similar to ordinary coffee grounds, these residues have many uses (especially as a deodorizer) and can be recycled. Much like activated carbon, these coffee grounds are porous. Once dried, they can be used to absorb moisture and deodorize, and are ideal for shoe cabinets or refrigerators. If your kitchen sink and drain pipes have an unpleasant or greasy smell, instead of using chemical products, you may try sprinkling coffee grounds in the sink and rinse with running water. For more espresso machine reviews and tips, please refer to the article, “Espresso Made by Some Espresso Machines are Not Hot Enough” from CHOICE Magazine, Issue 475. Watch Out! Energy Drinks May Have a Higher Caffeine Content than Coffee! Energy drinks and sports drinks are different For those who don't like coffee but are in need of an energy boost, "energy drinks" are considered by many as good substitutes. Do you know that energy drinks are different from sports drinks, and that consuming energy drinks during physical exercise may pose health risks? Energy drinks usually contain caffeine. In some instances, a bottle of energy drink may contain more caffeine than a cup of coffee. Although they can increase alertness and augment physical performance, one must pay attention during consumption. On the other hand, sports drinks usually contain electrolytes which help replenish water and electrolytes lost during exercise, and are generally caffeine-free. Although many stores put these 2 types of drinks next to each other, they are actually very different. Sports drinks can’t boost energy. If you’re tired in the office, sports drinks will not help. On the other hand, energy drinks are not intended for consumption during exercise. It can even be counterproductive and prevent the body from performing at its best. Misconception: Energy drinks are energy boosters Don't be fooled by the name! The word "energy" does not translate to "calories" in a nutritional sense. Instead, caffeine is added for a rapid energy boost. However, caffeine cannot eliminate fatigue during exercise. Instead, it can dehydrate and hinder the body's recovery process, making the body “energy-less”. The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) recommended consumers to avoid consuming energy drinks during physical exercises to prevent people with genetic conditions from having severe adverse reactions or heart failures. In addition to caffeine, these energy drinks are often loaded with sugar. If you want to pick the right drink to boost performance, you may want to read the article “Energy Drinks Contain Caffeine and Sugar. 1 Cup of Coffee is Equivalent to 10 Sugar Cubes” from CHOICE Magazine, Issue 451.
- 2020.09
- Trivia
- Life and Financial Planning
《Auto-Fuel Trivia: Why Does Hong Kong Have the Highest Auto-fuel Pump Price in the World?》
Widening gap between pump price and crude oil price / import price The Consumer Council has always been concerned and monitoring the impact of local auto-fuel prices on consumers. After reviewing the data over the past 7 years from 2013 to Q1 2020, we have observed the following: Average pump price vs. Brent crude oil price: the highest and lowest monthly price gap has widened by 85.2% Average pump price vs. import price: the highest and lowest monthly price gap has been increased by 107.9% In the past 7 years, the gaps between the pump price and both of Brent crude oil and import prices have widened. For example in March 2020, although Brent crude oil price and import price returned to the same price level in Q1 2016, and with the same auto-fuel tax and stable auto-fuel demand, the pump price still increased by more than HK$3 per litre. Any sign of “Quick Going Up, Slow Coming Down”? The Government has been emphasizing that it has urged oil companies to reduce their retail prices as soon as international oil prices fall. According to the data collected, we can see that from January to April 2020, oil companies had decreased auto-fuel prices for 11-13 times. During this period, international oil prices had significant fluctuation since March, and oil companies did adjust their prices more frequently than before (in total 7-9 times), the "Quick Going Up, Slow Coming Down" phenomenon did not appear to exist during this period. A clear sign of “More Going Up, Less Coming Down ” Using the data from 2013 to Q1 2020, we have compared the cumulative change in pump price and the cumulative changes in Brent crude oil price and import price over the 7-year period, and found that: Cumulative changes in pump price vs Brent crude oil price: during price drop, the reduction in pump price per litre was $2.4 “less”; and during price hike, the rise in pump price was $1.99 “more” Cumulative changes in pump price vs import price: during price drop, the reduction in pump price per litre was $0.68 “less”; and during price hike, the rise in pump price was $3.09 “more” According to the data, except for 2014, sign of “More Going Up, Less Coming Down" in pump price was observed over the 7 years. High conformity in pump price across oil companies Looking at the database again, in the past 7 years, percentage of days that all the 5 oil companies having the same pump price was generally on an upward trend and had reached a historical high of 92.3% in Q1 2020. Is auto-fuel really so expensive? Even that the international crude oil prices remain depressed and there are Government’s efforts in promoting competition, such as changing the tendering system of petrol filling station (PFS) sites in 2003 to make it easier for new entrants to scale up their operation more quickly, why then the pump prices in Hong Kong have not dropped accordingly, but instead have edged up conversely? According to the oil companies, the 2 major reasons are as follows: • Other operating costs: Import price is only one of the factors in determining the retail price. Other costs / expenses such as discounts, insurance, land costs, government rates, transportation, and inflation, etc., have yet to be reflected. Therefore, the range of pump price adjustment may not necessarily follow closely with the changes in international crude oil prices. Some companies specifically pointed out that the rise in the bid price of PFS sites in recent years has increased the operating costs of PFSs; • Lack of local oil refinery facilities: All auto-fuel products sold in Hong Kong are imported as refined products, not crude oil. Crude oil and refined products (such as unleaded gasoline and auto-fuel diesel etc.) are very much different. Therefore, changes in international crude oil prices and local auto-fuel prices may not necessarily be in tandem. But here comes the dubiety…... From public records, we observed that the bid prices of PFS sites have indeed risen considerably in the past 10+ years. However, these tender bids have been mainly won by the 2 new entrants. As such if land cost is a key cost component, the operating costs of different oil companies should, in theory, be different. That’s why one would be puzzled as to why there has been a high degree of conformity in the pump prices across different oil companies in Hong Kong…... Transparency is the key Unfortunately, due to the lack of transparency in the current auto-fuel market, the Consumer Council finds it difficult to examine if the level of gross margin is reasonable. In this connection, the Consumer Council urges the Government to increase the transparency of information disclosure, including more frequent release of import price data and price trend analysis, as well as reports on cost structure, so that consumers can better understand and monitor auto-fuel price fluctuations. Smart tips If you want to keep up with the oil (auto-fuel) price anytime and anywhere, you can use the “Oil Price Watch” website and smartphone application developed by the Consumer Council. Simply enter the estimated volume and auto-fuel type, it will help you to find out which oil company would offer better cost-saving and discounts / promotional offers, thus helping consumers in making a smart choice! For more detailed information, please refer to the report “Auto-fuel Price Monitoring Analysis 2020”, https://www.consumer.org.hk/en/advocacy/study-report/autofuel_2020
- 2020.08
- Tips
- Home Appliances
- Green Living
《4 Key Tips To Enjoy The Cool Breeze Without Breaking The Bank? 》
“Cooling” is the key The cooling capacity of an air conditioner is clearly the most important factor. This measures the appliance's ability to remove heat from the indoor to outdoor. The higher the cooling capacity, the faster the cooling. The Energy Label which people normally refer to when purchasing an air conditioner gives the appliance an efficiency grade. The higher the efficiency, the less energy it will consume and thus more money will be saved. It is worth mentioning that the grading standard under the Mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MEELS) for room air conditioners is based on the Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF) which calculates the ratio of the total annual amount of heat that the air conditioner can remove from the indoor air to the total annual amount of energy consumed during the same period. The computation also takes into account other environmental factors and the resultant rating/grade can effectively reflect the actual energy efficiency of an air conditioner. Apart from choosing an air conditioner with high energy efficiency, you may also need to pay attention to certain factors or situations (such as high humidity level, large room size, west-facing windows, multiple electric appliances in use, and indoor population size, etc.) which may increase the cooling demand and also your electricity bill. Would lowering of the “Fan Speed” lead to energy savings? We tend to think that we can conserve energy by lowering the fan speed of an air conditioner. But you will be surprised to learn that a low-fan-speed setting is not conducive to the overall cooling function and thus affects the energy efficiency of an air conditioner. In reality more energy is consumed in the cooling process under this setting. Consumers should try to adjust the fan speed of an air conditioner to its highest setting whenever possible in order to enhance its performance and save energy. Let the “Electric Fan” stay on Do you habitually close all the windows and switch off all electric fans before turning on the air conditioner? Well, from now on you can skip the latter. As an electric fan consumes far less energy than an air conditioner, you can actually achieve energy saving by switching on both appliances. This is because with the electric fan’s supplementary effect, you can raise the air conditioner’s set point temperature (and save energy) while still having the sensation of thermal comfort! Beware of the “Noise Level” A quieter air conditioner is always more desirable as it not only provides for a peaceful living environment but is also “soothing” to your wallet! Imagine that you had an air conditioner which kept roaring and disturbing your neighbours nearby…… Given such noise emission is regulated under the Noise Control Ordinance, you may be prosecuted at any time and liable with a fine of up to $10,000. If you want to learn more about how to save energy and money(!) while enjoying the comfort of your air conditioner(s), you may want to refer to the article, “Test conducted on ¾ “Horsepower” Window-Type Air Conditioners: Models Using the Eco-Friendly Refrigerants Outperform!”. CHOICE Magazine, Issue 523 (Chinese version only). In the article, the Consumer Council gives an in-depth analysis on the energy efficiency of the various air conditioners in the market and provides useful tips on energy saving.
- 2020.06
- Features
- Home Appliances
- Green Living
Say Goodbye to High Electricity Bills! Choose These 3 Home Appliances Carefully
Tip on energy saving #1: Save energy while enjoying the cool breeze The first thing most people do when they return home on a hot summer day is to switch on the air conditioner. If you want to save energy in the long run while enjoying the cool breeze, you may want to spend a bit more and invest in an inverter type air conditioner! The more energy-efficient inverter type air conditioners may cost 15-20% more than the fixed capacity type, but despite being more expensive, consumers can save enough on electricity costs over 2 to 3 years to make up for the difference. This is because an inverter type air conditioner will run at a high speed when it is initially switched on, and then it will automatically reduce the speed when the room temperature is closer to the target temperature, thereby saving energy. When purchasing an inverter type air conditioner, you have to take into consideration factors such as room size and the actual environment. For example, if the unit is placed in a huge living room, make sure it has sufficient cooling capacity to prevent it from prolonged operation under maximum load, which will consume a lot of energy. Although the display of ‘Energy Label Grade 1’ can be an easy-to-understand energy efficiency indicator, air conditioners displaying the same ‘Grade 1’ labels may still vary in energy saving due to their differences in the Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor (CSPF). Therefore, consumers should also refer to the CSPF test results published by the Consumer Council (the ‘Council’). There are various models of air conditioners on the market. Which one is the most energy efficient? You may refer to the article ‘How to Save Energy While Enjoying the Cool Breeze? Air Conditioners with High Energy Efficiency Can Save 20% or More in Energy Costs’ (Chinese version only) in issue #487 of CHOICE Magazine. Choosing an energy-saving model is just the first step. Don’t forget to clean and maintain the air conditioner regularly in order to keep it in the most energy-efficient condition! Apart from electricity costs, you can also contribute to environmental protection and sustainable consumption by choosing the right air conditioner. We can use the Global Warming Potential (GWP) to assess the impact of refrigerant on the environment. The larger the number, the more likely it will cause global warming. R410A, the most common refrigerant at the moment, has a GWP value of 2,088. But the new R32 refrigerant has a GWP value of only 675, which significantly reduces the impact on the environment. To find out which air conditioners are more eco-friendly, please refer to the article ‘Review of 3/4 Horsepower Window-Type Air Conditioners. Models with Eco-Friendly Refrigerant Perform Better!’ (Chinese version only) in issue #523 of CHOICE Magazine. Tip on energy saving #2: Washing with warm water can be expensive Pay heed if you need to do laundry frequently as different models of front-loading and top-loading impeller washing machines may vary in energy consumption by as much as 80%! The first question you need to ask yourself is, ‘Do you really need to wash your clothes in warm water?’ Warm water at a certain temperature can indeed kill dust mites, decompose grease, and remove sweat odours. But other than that, the difference in cleaning performance between warm water and room temperature water is very small. In fact, room temperature water is more gentle on fabrics and can prevent fading and shrinking. If you don't have to use warm water for washing, then a top-loading impeller washing machine can help you to save. Although top-loading impeller models use room temperature water, their average cleaning performance is only slightly behind front-loading models which use warm water. Surprisingly, some top-loading impeller models even achieve better cleaning results than some front-loading ones! On the whole, top-loading impeller models without heating function consume 80% less in energy than front-loading ones. Also, their spin speed is lower, and the washing process takes less time as well. However, it should be noted that top-loading impeller models consume more water. Don't forget that your washing machine is actually very high-tech! Before the wash, sort your laundry items according to fabric types and degree of soiling, then select the appropriate washing program. You may simply choose the ‘Eco’ program which is also a good way to save energy. In addition to energy consumption, you should also consider water consumption, noise level, size, etc., in order to choose the right washing machine that best caters for your needs. You may refer to the article ‘Top-Loading Impeller and Front-Loading Washing Machines, Which Type Saves More Energy and Water?’ (Chinese version only) in issue #488 of CHOICE Magazine. Tip on energy saving #3: Energy-efficient LED light bulbs...and extra energy-efficient LED light bulbs! You may have already replaced those tungsten light bulbs that consume more energy and heat up easily with the more energy-efficient LED light bulbs. But which LED light bulb is the most energy efficient version? It turns out that dim lights do not necessarily save more energy, and brighter light bulbs are not that energy-consuming! To find out if the light bulb is truly energy-efficient, one can't just look at its degree of ‘luminous flux’ but should also look at its ‘luminous efficacy’! ‘Luminous efficacy’ refers to the lumen output per watt of electricity. The larger the value, the better the energy efficiency. A light bulb with low luminous flux (i.e., low in brightness) and one with high luminous flux (i.e., high in brightness) can theoretically have the same ‘luminous efficacy’. The key is the amount of electricity they consume to produce the same luminosity. When selecting a light bulb, you can pay attention to its lumen (LM) output marked on its packaging. The higher the lumen output, the brighter the light bulb. If the LM output is the same, the one with lower wattage is more energy efficient because of its higher ‘luminous efficacy’. The Council tested 10 LED light bulbs on the market, including 7 conventional ones and 3 smart light bulbs. The 3 smart light bulbs claimed to emit up to 16 million colour rays, and users could adjust the color and brightness of these light bulbs through their ‘apps’. It was found that the ‘luminous efficacy’ of 2 smart light bulbs varied significantly under different colours. In addition to ‘luminous efficacy’, consumers should also consider the lifespan of the light bulbs. Nowadays, light bulbs on the market usually claim to have a lifespan of 15,000 hours to 25,000 hours. When the lumen output of an LED light bulb drops to 70%, it is generally regarded as being expired. From the test, 2 models could still maintain their original luminous flux after 6,000 hours of use, while the remaining 8 models scored slightly behind, with an average drop of 1.1% to 6.2% in luminosity. If you want to quickly find out if the LED light bulbs that you are using are energy efficient, you may refer to the articles ‘3 LED Light Bulbs Scored High in Luminous Efficacy and Energy Efficiency’ and ‘Choose the More Cost-Effective and Durable LED Light Bulbs’ (Chinese versions only) in issues #512 and #521 of CHOICE Magazine. Energy conservation is a lifetime commitment. In addition to choosing high-performance, long-lasting and energy-efficient appliances, we should also try to change some of our habits. In recent years, there have been many innovative products and ideas, such as smart extension units. On the other hand, you can preset and switch off your air conditioner 1 hour before you get up in the morning, thus reducing energy consumption. Some people said this method not only had helped them in terms of energy saving but also changed their habits of sleeping in. Do you have any unique idea on this subject? If so, please share with your family and friends!
