Will the '2027 Air Conditioner Problem' Further Increase Household Burden? | Approximately 40% of Respondents Use Air Conditioners for '10 Years or More'
A survey by house cleaning chain 'Osouji Honpo' revealed that about 40% of households use air conditioners for 10 years or more. The '2027 Air Conditioner Problem,' caused by strengthened energy efficiency standards, is expected to increase household financial burden. Approximately 70% consider air conditioner cleaning for energy-saving purposes.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 15, 2026 at 22:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 13:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 12:37 (95h 5m after Collected)
HITOWA Co., Ltd., which operates comprehensive lifestyle support services, conducted a survey in January this year through its house cleaning chain 'Osouji Honpo,' which has 1,803 stores nationwide (*). The survey targeted 1,000 men and women aged 30-60 across Japan to understand their awareness of the '2027 Air Conditioner Problem'.
1. Approximately 40% of respondents use air conditioners for 10 years or more.
2. Approximately 80% of respondents own two or more air conditioners.
3. Approximately 70% consider air conditioner cleaning for energy-saving purposes.
In the air conditioner industry, it is anticipated that the reinforcement of energy efficiency standards in fiscal year 2027 will lead to a significant decrease in low-priced air conditioner models and a rise in prices (the so-called '2027 Air Conditioner Problem').
This time, we compiled responses from 660 homeowners (detached houses/condominiums) out of the 1,000 respondents to the '2027 Air Conditioner Problem Awareness Survey' questionnaire.
This refers to the problem where, due to a significant strengthening of energy efficiency standards for household air conditioners from fiscal year 2027, air conditioners that do not meet these standards (products without an energy efficiency mark) will no longer be manufactured or sold.
Standard model air conditioners, which have been chosen for their reasonable prices, mostly do not meet the new standards. Therefore, it is highly likely that these low-priced air conditioners will disappear from the market.
As a result, households and businesses will face changes such as 'increased purchase costs' and 'fewer models to choose from,' necessitating a review of when and how to replace air conditioners. This series of changes is collectively referred to as the '2027 Air Conditioner Problem.'
(*) As of September 30, 2025
■ Approximately 80% have 'two or more air conditioners installed' at home.
When asked about the total number of air conditioners installed at home, 83% responded with '2 to 3 units' or more.
On the other hand, 15% had only one unit, and among 'other' responses, some in cold regions like Hokkaido stated they did not own any.
■ Higher-grade air conditioners in frequently used rooms.
When asked about the purchase price of the main air conditioner in frequently used rooms such as the living room or master bedroom, standard models (under 100,000 yen) accounted for 31.2%, while the total for 'mid-range models' and 'high-end models' was 53.2%.
Meanwhile, 15.6% responded that they 'do not remember the price or grade,' which is assumed to be due to the purchase price and criteria becoming vague over the years of use.
Furthermore, many respondents showed a tendency to install 'mid-range models' or 'high-end models' in frequently used rooms like the living room or master bedroom.
■ Approximately 40% of respondents 'use the same air conditioner for 10 years or more.'
When asked about the age of the oldest air conditioner installed in their home, 37.2% responded 9 years or less, and 43.3% responded 10 years or more.
Since the industry standard for air conditioner repair parts availability is 'about 10 years,' approximately 40% of respondents are using air conditioners beyond that period.
Also, 19.4% did not know the manufacturing year.
■ Approximately 70% consider air conditioner cleaning for 'energy-saving effects.'
Regarding the 'energy-saving effects' of air conditioner cleaning, approximately 70% responded that it is a 'very strong motivation' or 'a trigger.'
On the other hand, nearly 30% had the opinion that it is 'not very relevant (hygiene and mold prevention are more important).'
■ Commentary on the Survey Results by Osouji Honpo
This survey revealed that while multiple air conditioners are commonly owned in general households, approximately 40% of respondents have been using their air conditioners for 10 years or more.
Some air conditioner manufacturers set the standard usage period at 10 years. Furthermore, after 10 years from purchase, not only does it become difficult to repair due to the discontinuation of parts supply, but after 2027, with the strengthening of energy efficiency standards, there is a risk that desired price range models will become unavailable.
With the introduction of new standards from fiscal year 2027, a decrease in conventional low-priced models is expected, and choices and price ranges may change significantly in the future. On the other hand, new models appearing after 2027 are expected to be more energy-efficient than models from 10 years ago.