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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Sets
New Efficiency Standards
DOE announced on April 2, 2004 that it will enforce a seasonal
energy efficiency rating (SEER) standard of 13 for residential
central air conditioners. This standard, which will apply to
central air conditioners starting in
January 2006, represents a 30 percent increase in energy
efficiency compared to the 10 SEER standard that applies to
models sold today. DOE had promulgated a 12 SEER standard in
2002, but earlier in year of 2004, the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Second Circuit ruled that the department had done so
improperly.
At this point, all parties have had their day in court,"
Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
David Garman said. "In the interest of giving consumers and
industry the regulatory certainty they need, it is time for the
government and for private parties to stop litigating, and start
working towards complying with the 13 SEER standard." See the
DOE press release.
This impact on homeowners nationwide raise questions and concerns
and HVAC manufacturers and dealers are attempting to answer for
homeowners. View New Regulations FAQs
For more information call us at 504-733-7122.
Or visit the websites of:
U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and
Renewable:
http://www.eere.energy.gov
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STARŪ program:
http://energystar.gov
American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy:
http://www.aceee.org |