March 18, 2005—Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty has submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, recommending the adoption of more stringent energy efficient standards for commercial air conditioners and heat pumps by Jan. 1, 2010.
After the Department of Energy issued an advanced notice of proposed rulemaking in 2004, stating that it would not change the current level of energy efficiency for air conditioners, a coalition of 19 groups—including the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute, American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, Alliance to Save Energy, California Energy Commission, Lennox International Inc. and Natural Resources Defense Council- responded by recommending different minimum efficiency standards for the equipment.
According to the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy, the more stringent standards proposed by the coalition would reduce carbon dioxide emission by approximately 8.6 billion pounds and nitrogen oxide by 5.9 million pounds by 2020. The American Council also estimates that these standards will reduce peak electric demand by about 5,800 megawatts in 2020, which is equivalent to 19 typical new power plants of 300 megawatts each.
To view the proposed standards visit Department of Energy Web site. Click on Building Technologies Program, go to Program Areas, click on Appliances & Commercial Equipment Standards and go to Unitary Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps.
The new standards are recommended to be adopted by Jan. 1, 2010, which coincides with a change in the refrigerant used in these systems mandated by the Clean Air Act.
