October 3, 2003—Rooftop air conditioning equipment manufactured by Lennox Industries and Global Energy Group have been selected by the Department of Energy (DOE) in a competition to provide the best packaged high-efficiency air conditioning equipment for low-rise commercial style government buildings. Selections were based both on price and on annual energy consumption through an open contest administered for DOE by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
“While the federal government already is required to reduce energy use in buildings, this procurement helps agencies acquire energy-efficient air conditioners at minimum life cycle cost,” said David K. Garman, Assistant Secretary of Energy for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Minimum product specifications were formulated in consultation with major buyers including the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the procurement arm of the U.S. Department of Defense. PNNL evaluated equipment using an innovative method of estimating life cycle cost to reflect electric power consumption over a range of temperature and humidity conditions encountered in the course of a typical year.
Each year, air conditioners in the size range targeted by the competition consume approximately 40 billion kilowatt hours in low-rise, commercial-style buildings such as offices, shopping malls, schools and clinics.
Lennox Industries is offering commercial air conditioners with energy efficiency ratios of 11.0 or more in three cooling capacities: 90,000 Btu per hour (Btu/h), 102,000 Btu/h, and 120,000 Btu/h. These units meet efficiency requirements set by the federal ENERGY STAR program. At these levels the air conditioners are at least 20 percent more energy efficient than current mandatory federal standards require.
Through targeted technology procurements, DOE and PNNL help develop markets for emerging energy efficiency technologies, including lighting, appliances, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. PNNL is a DOE research facility and delivers breakthrough science and technology in the areas of environment, energy, health, fundamental sciences and national security. Battelle, based in Columbus, Ohio, has operated the laboratory for DOE since 1965.
For more information, contact the Unitary Air Conditioner Technology Procurement.
