In mid-October, the ACEEE released its fifth annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which ranks all 50 states and the District of Columbia in order of their energy efficiency efforts. Although California was ranked No. 1 for the past four years, it was bumped from the top spot this year by Massachusetts.

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. Both the Heating, Air-conditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) have filed petitions to intervene through the United States Court of Appeals against the DOE.

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. Both the Heating, Airconditioning, and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI) and Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) have filed petitions to intervene through the United States Court of Appeals against the DOE.

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has submitted comments responding to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Notice of Data Availability on the framework for developing regulations covering the enforcement of regional efficiency standards for central air conditioners, furnaces, and heat pumps.

These comments are concerning the litigation opposing the Department of Energy’s rule establishing regional standards for air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces.

Despite lingering economic blight, a gridlocked political climate, and mild winter temperatures, Paul Stalknecht, president and CEO of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), is beaming with optimism.

We, as contractors, have to walk a very fine line when it comes to deciding what issues/opportunities we go after. The reason for this is that we have a responsibility to our customers to make them aware of upcoming issues in order that they, the customers, may make informed decisions regarding the issues confronting them.

With the new regional efficiency standards for residential furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps set to become effective beginning in May 2013, many in the industry are wondering: How does the Department of Energy (DOE) intend to enforce these standards?

This month on www.achrnews.com we are running an online poll to gauge our web visitors’ opinions on the regional standards rule established by the Department of Energy (DOE). Although the poll has only been up for a week at the time of writing this column, I am already disturbed by the early results.

March Online Poll: What best describes your thoughts on the Department of Energy’s rule establishing regional standards?