March 30, 2005: ARI Urges Support Of 'Cool And Efficient Buildings Act'
ARLINGTON, Va. - Congressman Peter Hoekstra (R-Mich.) has re-introduced H.R. 1241, the "Cool and Efficient Buildings Act," to reduce the depreciation period from 39 to 20 years for "any property which is part of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or commercial refrigeration system and which is installed on or in a building which is nonresidential real property." The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) says the legislation would provide an incentive for the replacement of the more than 36,000 chillers still in use in 2004 that use chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants, and urges support of the bill.
"ARI strongly urges its members to support the Cool and Efficient Buildings Act," said William G. Sutton, president of ARI. "A depreciation schedule that reflects the useful life of chillers and other equipment will save money, reduce energy consumption, and encourage investment in more efficient models."