Check the Energy Star Label on an AC or Fridge in Pakistan Before You Buy
Split ACs up to 10.5 kW and two-door fridges must carry NEECA's 1 to 5 star label in Pakistan. See what it shows, how to scan it and where to report a fake.
Before you buy a split AC or a two-door fridge in Pakistan, look for the Pakistan Energy Label: a sticker with 1 to 5 stars, the yearly electricity use in kWh and a QR code. NEECA's rules require it on split ACs up to 10.5 kW and on household fridges and freezers since 20 March 2024.
The label comes from the National Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (NEECA), the federal body for energy saving. More stars mean less electricity for the same cooling. The kWh figure lets you work out the yearly cost before you pay. We read both sets of NEECA rules and their official FAQs on 10 October 2026.
Shop stickers saying "inverter" or "energy saver" are marketing. The NEECA label is the one backed by a lab test and a registration number.
Which ACs and fridges must carry the label
The AC rules cover non-ducted, wall-mounted split room ACs with a cooling capacity up to 10.5 kW, which is about 3 tons. The fridge rules cover household two-door refrigerators and freezers that cool by vapour compression, the normal compressor type.
Makers, assemblers and importers must get the label before they sell these products. That applies to imported units too, not only local assembly.
| Point | Split ACs | Household fridges |
|---|---|---|
| Rules | S.R.O. 413(I)/2024 | S.R.O. 414(I)/2024 |
| In force from | 20 March 2024 | 20 March 2024 |
| Covers | Wall-mounted split ACs up to 10.5 kW | Two-door fridges and freezers |
| Not covered | Ducted units and larger systems | Built-in only, French door, side-by-side |
| Stars | 1 to 5 | 1 to 5 |
| Where the label goes | Indoor unit, outdoor unit and box | Front of the fridge and box |
| Model registration | Valid 2 years | Valid 2 years |
Side-by-side and French door fridges are left out of the fridge rules. If you are buying one of those, there is no NEECA star rating to compare, so read the maker's own power figure instead.
What the AC label tells you
The AC label shows the maker's name, model year, cooling capacity, yearly electricity use in kWh, CSPF rating, star level, compressor type and refrigerant. The yearly kWh and the CSPF are the two numbers worth comparing.
CSPF stands for Cooling Seasonal Performance Factor. It measures cooling delivered over a whole season against the electricity used, not just at one test point. Higher is better. The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has adopted the international method for it as PS ISO 16358.
A 1.5 ton AC and a 2 ton AC are not directly comparable, so compare stars and kWh only between units of the same capacity. A bigger AC on a weak connection can also trip your supply. Check whether you need to extend your sanctioned load before you install a second unit.
What the fridge label tells you
The fridge label shows the maker's name, model number, total volume, yearly electricity use in kWh, star rating and refrigerant type. It sits on the front of the fridge, where you can read it in the shop.
Stars for fridges are worked out from the adjusted volume and the energy use. So a larger fridge can still earn 5 stars if it uses little power for its size. Compare the kWh figure for two fridges of similar volume and the cheaper one to run is obvious.
How to check a label in the shop
Read the stars and the kWh figure, scan the QR code, and make sure the label is on the unit itself, not only on a loose card. Then turn the yearly kWh into rupees using your own bill.
- Find the label on the front of the fridge, or on both AC units.
- Note the star level and the yearly kWh figure.
- Scan the QR code with your phone camera to check it is genuine.
- Compare two models of the same size side by side.
- Multiply the kWh gap by your per unit rate to see the yearly saving.
- Keep the receipt and a photo of the label.
Here is how the maths works. Say one AC label shows 400 kWh a year more than another of the same capacity. That is 400 extra units on your bills every year. Multiply 400 by the per unit rate on your bill, which depends on your slab, as the 2026 slab rates show. Do that sum before you compare prices, because an AC runs for several summers.
NEECA has no public list of labelled ACs and fridges yet
NEECA publishes searchable registers for fans and LED lights, but we found no public register of labelled ACs or fridges on its site on 10 October 2026. The QR code on the label is the check NEECA's FAQs point to.
For fans, you can check a fan's star rating in NEECA's register by model name. For ACs and fridges, scan the code and keep the evidence. NEECA's FAQs say consumers can report a product that lacks a proper label or does not match its specifications, and NEECA will investigate.
Penalties can include cancelling a model's registration and removing it from the market, per the AC FAQ. For a refund or repair from the shop itself, use the normal route to take a shop to consumer court.
Common questions
Is the energy label compulsory on ACs in Pakistan?
Yes for wall-mounted split room ACs up to 10.5 kW. NEECA's rules require makers, assemblers and importers to get the label before selling.
Does a window AC need the label?
NEECA's AC FAQ describes the scope as non-ducted wall-mounted split room ACs. It does not mention window units.
Are side-by-side fridges covered?
No. The fridge rules exclude French door and side-by-side models, along with built-in only designs.
How long is a model's label valid?
Two years from registration. After that the maker must renew it.
How do I report a fake label?
Contact NEECA's industry section at sr.ad.industry@neeca.gov.pk or 051-9214671, with photos of the label and your receipt.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked 10 October 2026. We read NEECA's pages on the Pakistan Energy Label Regulations for air conditioners and for household refrigerators on neeca.gov.pk, including their FAQs. These give the scope, the 10.5 kW limit, the exclusions, the 20 March 2024 start date, the label contents and placement, the two year validity, the QR code, testing by accredited labs and the complaint route. We took the S.R.O. numbers from NEECA's download links. The scanned S.R.O. files did not convert to text, so the star thresholds and fee schedules are not quoted here. The PS ISO 16358 standard is from PSQCA's website. The 400 kWh example is ours, for illustration. We did not scan a real label.
About the author
Technology Journalist & Multimedia Producer
Ahmad Ali is a technology journalist and multimedia producer at Pakistan Era, joining the team in October 2026. He covers consumer technology and digital life for Pakistani readers, combining research with hands-on product testing.
