WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently published a final determination classifying portable air conditioners as products covered under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. The DOE’s April 18 announcement marks the first step in establishing an energy-efficiency standard for portable air conditioners.

This classification is based on the DOE’s determination that portable air conditioners are consumer products that meet the requisite criteria specified in EPCA. Specifically, the DOE has determined that classifying portable a/c units as a covered product is necessary or appropriate to carry out the purposes of EPCA, and that average U.S. household energy use by portable a/c units is likely to exceed 100 kWh per year. This rule is effective May 18. For more information about the DOE’s determination, visit http://bit.ly/DOEportables.