Principles underlying energy star rating reform

THE rollout by the Energy Commission of Malaysia’s revised air-conditioner star rating framework, now in force from Jan 1, 2026 till Dec 31, 2029, should not be viewed as just a technical update. It is a deliberate institutional intervention designed to influence market behaviour, consumer decisions and household energy use over the long term.

This reform recalibrates the “rules of the game” that govern manufacturer innovation, retailer competition and household purchasing choices. When these rules change in a credible and predictable manner, behaviour adjusts – often seamlessly and without conscious deliberation.