<h1>Cooling appliance prices to rise as new star rating standards increase efficiency thresholds, prompting higher costs for ACs and refrigerators.</h1> Revised energy labelling standards effective January 1, 2026 raise performance thresholds and expand mandatory star labelling, requiring manufacturers to adopt costlier components to meet the stricter 5 star criteria. The change will reclassify many existing high rated cooling appliances to lower star levels, prompting industry estimates of price increases-around 10% for new top rated room air conditioners and 3-5% for refrigerators-driven by compliance costs alongside commodity and currency pressures.