Emerson Sets Final 10 SEER Ship Dates

ST. LOUIS - Emerson Climate Technologies announced the last order and shipment dates for Copeland's ZRKC scroll and CRKF reciprocating compressor models, which support the 10-SEER market segment, would be Sept. 30, 2005, and Nov. 30, 2005, respectively.

Both single-phase product lines will be phased out of production. The announcement was made in an effort to minimize obsolete inventory and help the industry prepare for the transition to 13 SEER early next year.

In order to help prepare the industry for the transition, Emerson is working on a series of surveys. The company recently completed a national survey that shows HVAC contractors and distributors are beginning to slowly prepare for the upcoming 13 SEER transition - but there is still much that needs to be done.

The initial survey, the first in a series of 13 SEER market surveys that Emerson will conduct over the course of the year, asked HVAC contractors and distributors across the industry questions to gauge their awareness, planning, and actions to prepare for the 13 SEER regulation, which goes into effect Jan. 23, 2006.

The purpose of the survey is to help provide an accurate picture of the market's transition, which is paramount to maintaining uninterrupted product delivery and high quality levels as OEMs release their new 13-SEER models to the industry, according to Emerson.

"While the Emerson Climate Technologies survey shows that contractors are beginning to think about the coming 13 SEER regulation, it is evident that much more planning needs to be done and more action needs to be taken," said Karl Zellmer, vice president of air conditioning sales for Emerson's Copeland Corp.

"It is important that contractors begin to prepare now. They need to sit down, take a strategic look at their business, and make sure they adequately plan for this massive transition. There are many details that should be considered in the planning stage."

According to the survey, only about one-third of the contractors are taking steps to get ready for the transition. Among the findings of the survey of HVAC contractors: 30 percent have developed a marketing plan for their 13 SEER transition; 26 percent are preparing for the increased size of the equipment; 45 percent have conducted training for their employees; 53 percent have talked about the 13 SEER transition with their suppliers; and 28 percent have attended product information meetings.

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