In 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced new efficiency standards for commercial air conditioners and furnaces that were negotiated with HVACR organizations and manufacturers as well as utilities and environmental groups. Touted as the largest energy-saving standards in history, they would save businesses $167 billion on their utility bills over the lifetime of the equipment, and reduce carbon pollution by 885 million metric tons, stated the DOE.
These new standards were to be implemented in two phases. The first phase took effect on January 1, 2018, and increased the minimum efficiency of commercial rooftop units (RTUs) by about 13 percent. The second phase will take place on January 1, 2023, and require an additional 15 percent increase in efficiency. RTUs represent a huge market in the U.S., cooling about half of the total commercial floor in applications that include schools, restaurants, big-box stores, and small office buildings.