ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has been selected as the 2011 recipient of the “Super Nova of Energy Efficiency” award from the Alliance to Save Energy.

The award is being given in recognition of the work by AHRI members and staff in negotiating a consensus agreement that would, for the first time, establish efficiency standards for furnaces, heat pumps, and central air conditioners based on the region of the country. Under the agreement, most of which was adopted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in its recently issued Direct Final Rule, furnaces in the northern region of the United States would have a minimum efficiency standard higher than that for furnaces in the southern and southwest regions. Similarly, central air conditioners in the south and southwest would have a minimum efficiency standard higher than that for the northern states. The award also recognizes AHRI’s work in negotiating consensus agreements that would establish a new federal minimum standard for heat pump pool heaters, revise standards for service-over-the-counter commercial refrigerators, and require the DOE to conduct rulemaking to determine if a change is necessary for its water heater test procedure.

“We are honored to have been selected for this award,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI president and CEO. “The majority of the credit for this honor goes to our member companies, several of whom were diligent and instrumental in crafting the agreements cited in the award announcement. We are gratified that our approach of constructive engagement with our friends in the energy efficiency advocacy community is being recognized and encouraged in such a manner,” he said.

The Alliance will present the award at its Oct. 4, 2011, Dinner with the Stars of Energy Efficiency awards gala in Washington, D.C. AHRI Chairman Morrison Carter will accept the award on behalf of the association’s 309 member companies.

Publication date: 07/11/2011