The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department is also considering enhancing the energy label standards on washing machines, fridges, and electronic storage water heaters next year.

Its director, Pang Yiu-hung, said yesterday extending the mandatory energy efficiency labelling scheme to the three types of appliances can save about 160 million kilowatt-hours every year.

"The scheme is expected to help save 1.1 billion kilowatt-hours annually, equivalent to the annual consumption of half of the households on Hong Kong Island," he said.

If a household is paying HK$800 a month for electricity and fuel bills, it can save up to HK$250 if it uses grade-one appliances - compared with those having a grade-three energy label.

The scheme currently covers eight kinds of appliances - air-conditioners, fridges, energy-saving lightbulbs, washing machines, dehumidifiers, televisions, storage-type electric water heaters, and induction cookers.

There will be a 15-month transitional period and after December 1, 2024, LED lightbulbs, gas stoves and gas water heaters without energy labels will be banned from sale.

Some less energy-efficient appliances may be banned from sale, as the department plans to introduce a "minimum energy efficiency requirement."

Assistant director for electricity and energy efficiency Barry Chu Kei-ming said the industry will be consulted next year.

"We are mainly targeting those products with a grade-five energy label. Most of the appliances [available for sale] are at least grade three, and these appliances are less likely to be affected," Chu said.

The department is considering amending the Energy Efficiency (Labelling of Products) Ordinance to introduce minimum energy efficiency requirements as well as further expand the scheme's scope.

It was understood that rice cookers and heaters are likely to be included, and an amendment bill is expected to be put before the Legislative Council in 2025.