BEE (Bureau of Energy Efficiency) star labelling for room air conditioners is mandatory in India — all ACs sold in India must display a BEE star label showing their energy efficiency rating.

AC Star Rating Basis — ISEER

AC star ratings in India are based on ISEER (Indian Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) — a metric that accounts for India's specific climate profile rather than the European SEER metric.

• Higher ISEER = more efficient AC = more BEE stars
• 5-star ACs are the most efficient, 1-star are least efficient within the mandatory range
• Minimum ISEER requirements increase periodically — BEE upgrades the star rating baselines approximately every 2 years

Mandatory for Which ACs?

• Fixed speed room ACs (window and split): mandatory since 2006
• Inverter room ACs: mandatory since 2018
• Commercial packaged ACs: also covered

BEE vs BIS

BEE star rating (energy efficiency) and BIS IS 302 certification (safety) are two separate mandatory requirements. Both must be obtained before commercial sale. House of Testing handles IS 302 AC safety testing; BEE ISEER testing is conducted at BEE-empanelled labs.