The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice confirming adoption of the direct final rule establishing regional efficiency standards for residential furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps.

At the 2011 Annual HARDI Conference, Dave Kyle, a HVAC contractor, noted that regional efficiency standards could be problematic. Talbot Gee, executive vice president and COO of HARDI, highlighted the significant opposition to the rule.

After much debate, new regional standards for HVAC equipment have become a reality. On Oct. 25, the Department of Energy (DOE) confirmed that it adopted new residential appliance standards for central air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the launch of the city of New Orleans’ NOLA Wise program, one of DOE’s Better Buildings Neighborhood projects. The initiative will allow participants to increase the comfort and affordability of their homes through energy-saving home improvements.

Following its analysis that ASHRAE’s 2010 energy efficiency standard contains significant energy savings over the 2007 standard, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a ruling that establishes the 2010 standard as the commercial building reference standard for state building energy codes.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a ruling that establishes the ASHRAE/IES 2010 energy-efficiency standard as the commercial building reference standard for state building energy codes.

The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is making contractors aware that tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 16, 2011, at 9 a.m. EST, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will jointly host a public meeting on the enforcement of regional standards for HVAC equipment. Those who cannot travel to D.C. can participate remotely via webinar.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the release of the third installment in a series of four 50 percent Advanced Energy Design Guides (AEDGs). This latest guide is intended to help architects, engineers, and contractors design and build highly efficient retail buildings.

Although the Department of Energy (DOE) announced its final rule establishing regional standards for air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces last October, the fight is not over yet. Through the legal advocacy group Cause of Action, the Heating, Airconditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) has filed a petition to intervene through the United States Court of Appeals against the DOE.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the state of Wisconsin has surpassed its weatherization energy efficiency goal established with the agency under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.