ARLINGTON, Va. - With the death of the recent immigration bill, the Senate is now set to tackle legislation that will rewrite the nation’s energy policies. Of the many items being proposed, changes in energy-efficiency minimums for heating and cooling products are the top matters for the HVAC industry.

The Senate plans to move forward this week with a bill that would replace the current single federal minimum efficiency rating for heating (78 percent AFUE) and cooling (13 SEER) with a proposal that would create regional standards based on climate and humidity. The House has discussed draft legislation that would do the same.

Industry associations, such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), have raised concerns that this new legislation is too cumbersome to small businesses, is impossible to enforce, and would ultimately backfire by keeping inefficient equipment in service.

For more information, visit www.acca.org.

Publication date: 06/25/2007