On April 30, President Barack Obama signed into law the Energy Efficiency Investment Act of 2015. The law, which is the first energy-efficiency legislation to pass both chambers of Congress during the Obama administration, has consistently received widespread bipartisan support in both the U.S. House and Senate. While many in the HVACR industry are applauding the legislation, which they believe will boost business and help encourage the development of energy-efficient products and technologies, they also acknowledge the modest bill could do more. Still, the legislation, which many are calling symbolic, represents a victory and a large step in the right direction for both Congress and energy-efficiency advocates across the nation.
For the HVACR industry, the legislation benefits water heater manufacturers, in particular, said Stephen Yurek, president and CEO, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). Among other things, the law amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to exempt certain grid-enabled electric resistance water heaters from pending U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) water heater energy conservation standards.