After issuing directives to check electricity misuse in its offices, the Punjab Government on Thursday issued another set of instructions aiming at reduction in energy consumption.

On a power-saving drive, the Government has asked its officials to procure only energy efficient electrical appliances in the Government offices while making new purchases.

“Efficient use of energy and its conservation has a great importance as it is the most critical element for economic development. Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BBE) has recommended to install threshold star rating appliances on the basis of life cycle cost analysis. And, the State Government, after careful consideration, has decided to implement BEE’s recommendations in this regard,” spokesperson of the Punjab Government said.

He said that now split air conditioners should have five-star BBE rating under normal conditions where annual usages were expected to be more than 1000 hours, whereas three-star BBE rating AC has been recommended where usages was limited.

Ceiling fans and water heaters must have five-star BBE rating and in the case of frost free refrigerators, it should have four-star BBE rating.

Further, the spokesman said that all heads of departments, divisional commissioners, Registrar of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District and Session Judges and Deputy Commissioners has been asked to adopt these threshold stars rating of these appliances while procuring it.

He also added that Punjab Energy Development Agency (PEDA) has been asked to ensure the availability of adequate number of manufactures or models of the prescribed star rating to enable competitive procurement.