WASHINGTON - The Department of Energy's minimum efficiency standards for water-source, water-cooled, and evaporatively cooled commercial air conditioning and heating equipment went into effect on Oct. 29. According to the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), products manufactured prior to the date can still be sold at the prior minimum standard, but products manufactured after the Oct. 29 date must adhere to the new standards listed below.

  • Water-source heat pumps less than 17,000 Btuh: EER = 11.2 (at 86 degrees F entering water temperature).

  • Water-source heat pumps between 17,000 Btuh and less than 65,000 Btuh: EER = 12 (at 86 degrees entering water temperature).

  • Water-source heat pumps between 65,000 Btuh and less than 135,000 Btuh: EER = 12 (at 86 degrees entering water temperature).

  • Water-source heat pumps less than 135,000 Btuh: COP = 4.2 (at 68 degrees entering water temperature).

  • Water-cooled and evaporatively cooled equipment less than 65,000 Btuh: EER = 12.1.

  • Water-cooled and evaporatively cooled equipment between 65,000 Btuh and less than 135,000 Btuh: EER = 11.5 (EER = 11.3 for units with heating sections other than electric).

    Publication date: 12/08/2003