Prices for cooling appliances like air conditioners and refrigerators are expected to increase by 5-10% starting January 1, 2026, due to revised Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) star rating norms. The new standards will make current 5-star models equivalent to 4-star ratings, necessitating higher energy efficiency and thus higher costs. Manufacturers anticipate this change, alongside currency fluctuations and rising copper prices, will impact pricing, though they also see it as a step towards lower carbon footprints.