Survey: 74 Percent of Contractors Unprepared for Efficiency Standards
Emerson Survey Shows Contractors Unaware of Pending Efficiency Ruling
As manufacturers help prepare the industry with new products to support upcoming regulatory changes, there is evidence that many contractors are not prepared to address these changes with their customers. A survey by Emerson Climate Technologies Inc., a business of Emerson, found that 74 percent of contractors are unaware of the upcoming 2015 standards for residential unitary air conditioning and heat pump systems. Nearly 80 percent of contractors are unaware of 2015 part-load efficiency requirements for light commercial split, package, and rooftop systems, and 84 percent are unaware of the 2015 chiller standards for air- and water-cooled chillers. Unlike the 2005 regulation changes, the 2015 changes will affect both residential and commercial efficiency standards.
The survey of 472 contractors, conducted via email by Emerson Climate Technologies in late 2013, found the majority of contractors were either unaware of the standards or had little idea how the standards would affect their businesses. Only 12 percent had started training their technicians or thinking about an inventory plan.