China will carry out new energy efficiency standards for five categories of home appliances, including variable frequency air conditioners, washing machines, flat panel TVs, extractor hoods and heat pump water heaters starting Oct 1, according to an announcement made by the Standardization Administration of China. The electricity consumption of variable frequency air conditioners, flat panel TVs and washing machines will be lowered to half the current level.

The leading manufacturers will greatly benefit from the new standards thanks to their strong R&D capability and talent and technology advantages, according to an industrial report by Minsheng Securities.

Major home appliance makers in China have sped up investment in energy efficient products and increased the weight of research and development in corporate strategies, according to public information released by the enterprises.

For example, Haier, the world's largest home appliance maker by sales revenue, has built five R&D centers across the globe. It claims to have the most energy efficient crystal drum washing machine; a broadband CFC-free, frequency conversion air conditioner that saves power by 60.5 percent, and a three-door refrigerator that only consumes 0.25 kilowatt-hours per day.