Fujitsu has been fined $310,000 for making unsubstantiated claims about the energy efficiency of its heat pumps. "On its website and in promotional pamphlets, Fujitsu made claims such as 'NZ's most energy efficient heat pump range' and that a particular heat pump range delivered 'better heat efficiency' and constituted 'the most efficient system ever'," the commission said. It also made false or misleading claims that its e3 heat pump delivered "$4.92 heat for a $1 power", something that was achieved only under laboratory conditions and not likely in real-world conditions. Commissioner Anna Rawlings said the conduct involved bold claims about superiority and energy efficiency, made in persuasive terms by a well-known and reputable manufacturer. Fujitsu is the first company convicted and fined under the unsubstantiated representations provision of the FTA, which came into force in 2014.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 20, 2017 04:52 UTC