Successful Negotiated Rulemaking for Commercial Air Conditioners and Furnaces Applauded
Working group reaches consensus on energy conservation standards
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) today applauded the success of the Commercial Package Air Conditioners and Commercial Warm Air Furnaces Working Group, established by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), to negotiate conservation standards for these products. After six meetings, the working group, comprised of industry, energy efficiency and environmental advocates, contractors, and agency representatives, including ACEEE, AHRI and ASAP, reached consensus and provided recommendations for energy conservation standards, test procedures, and metrics.
“Negotiated rulemakings are our preferred method for establishing energy conservation standards for covered products and equipment,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI president and CEO. “Bringing stakeholders together to develop a rule that is both effective and achievable is the best way to ensure that our members’ products and equipment provide consumers and businesses with comfort, safety, and productivity while helping the nation achieve its energy reduction targets.”