The Air Conditioning Contractors of America is opposing a bill that it says would allow states to set its own minimum efficiency standards for heating and cooling equipment.

 

 

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled to work on the bill May 2. A draft of “The Energy Efficiency Promotion Act of 2007,” was released two weeks ago. According to the ACCA, the bill would hurt the HVAC industry.

 

The association claims that it would do away with national minimum-efficiency standards and make it easier for state officials to set different rules. The provisions directly impact equipment manufacturers, the ACCA said, but it also said the bill will ultimately affect contractors.

 

The ACCA said the bill would increase equipment production, which would force manufacturers to pass along the increases to contractors. The ACCA also said the bill would force suppliers to keep different inventories for different states, as would contractors that work in multiple locations.

 

The association supports the existing federal standard for equipment efficiency. ACCA officials said a patchwork of state laws has the potential to create inventory problems and confuse consumers.

 

For more information on the bill, visit www.acca.org.