-m__________________ 5- D-- 

______ NEWS

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Penny Adams or John B. Townsend II November 24, 1999

202/586-5806

DOE Identifies Potential Higher Efficiency Standards

for Residential Central Air Conditioners

and Heat Pumps

Higher Standards Would Save Energy, Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions;

Final Rule Planned for December 2000

Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced today that the Department of Energy (DOE) is

on track to speed up efficiency standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps. The new

standards will reduce homeowners' utility bills, save energy and improve air quality. Richardson

had announced the acceleration of the new standards in July as part of a six-point initiative to

help prevent major power outages.

"Air conditioning can account for more than 50 percent of summer household electricity

consumption, and costs homeowners billions of dollars each year," said Secretary Richardson.

"By increasing the efficiency of central air conditioners and heat pumps, we will help minimize

the impact of future heat waves on the U.S. power grid and help consumers and businesses save

money and energy."

The current air conditioner standard is a seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of 10. The

supplementary Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in today's Federal Register

identifies potential higher efficiency standards ranging from 11 - 13 SEER. If adopted, a higher

standard could represent an increase in efficiency of 10 to 30 percent over today's central air

conditioners.

Higher minimum efficiency standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps can save

significant amounts of energy. For example, increasing the existing minimum efficiency

(MORE)

R-99-312

@ Printed with soy ink on recycled paper

U U.S. Department of Energy Office of Public Affairs · Washington, DC 20585 [

EE-RM-STD-98-440 COMMENT 14KK

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: 

Penny Adams or John B. Townsend II 

202/586-5806 

/l./.-Kk 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 24, 1999 

DOE Identifies Potential Higher Efficiency Standards 

for Residential Central Air Conditioners 

and Heat Pumps 

Higher Standards Would Save Energy, Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions; 

Final Rule Planned for December 2000 

Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced today that the Department of Energy (DOE) is 

on track to speed up efficiency standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps. The new 

standards will reduce homeowners' utility bills, save energy and improve air quality. Richardson 

had announced the acceleration of the new standards in July as part of a six-point initiative to 

help prevent major power outages. 

"Air conditioning can account for more than 50 percent of summer household electricity 

consumption, and costs homeowners billions of dollars each year," said Secretary Richardson. 

"By increasing the efficiency of central air conditioners and heat pumps, we will help minimize 

the impact of future heat waves on the U.S. power grid and help consumers and businesses save 

money and energy." 

The current air conditioner standard is a seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of 10. The 

supplementary Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in today's Federal Register 

identifies potential higher efficiency standards ranging from 11 - 13 SEER. If adopted, a higher 

standard could represent an increase in efficiency of 10 to 30 percent over today's central air 

conditioners. 

Higher minimum efficiency standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps can save 

significant amounts of energy. For example, increasing the existing minimum efficiency 

(MORE) , 

* Printed with soy Ink on rilcycled paper 

III U.S. Department of Energy OffICe of Public Affairs o Washington., DC 20585 ~ 

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: 

Penny Adams or John B. Townsend II 

202/586-5806 

/l./.-Kk 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

November 24, 1999 

DOE Identifies Potential Higher Efficiency Standards 

for Residential Central Air Conditioners 

and Heat Pumps 

Higher Standards Would Save Energy, Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions; 

Final Rule Planned for December 2000 

Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson announced today that the Department of Energy (DOE) is 

on track to speed up efficiency standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps. The new 

standards will reduce homeowners' utility bills, save energy and improve air quality. Richardson 

had announced the acceleration of the new standards in July as part of a six-point initiative to 

help prevent major power outages. 

"Air conditioning can account for more than 50 percent of summer household electricity 

consumption, and costs homeowners billions of dollars each year," said Secretary Richardson. 

"By increasing the efficiency of central air conditioners and heat pumps, we will help minimize 

the impact of future heat waves on the U.S. power grid and help consumers and businesses save 

money and energy." 

The current air conditioner standard is a seasonal energy efficiency rating (SEER) of 10. The 

supplementary Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published in today's Federal Register 

identifies potential higher efficiency standards ranging from 11 - 13 SEER. If adopted, a higher 

standard could represent an increase in efficiency of 10 to 30 percent over today's central air 

conditioners. 

Higher minimum efficiency standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps can save 

significant amounts of energy. For example, increasing the existing minimum efficiency 

(MORE) , 

* Printed with soy Ink on rilcycled paper 

III U.S. Department of Energy OffICe of Public Affairs o Washington., DC 20585 ~ 
EE-RMISTD-S440 - Lf- K|

-2-

standard for air conditioners and heat pumps by 10 percent to 20 percent would save enough

energy over 25 years to supply electricity for up to 26 million homes in the U.S. for one year. In

addition to the energy savings, more efficient air conditioners will substantially decrease

greenhouse gas emissions linked to global climate change.

In making today's announcement, Secretary Richardson challenged industry representatives and

energy efficiency advocates to reach an agreement similar to the one announced on October 15,

which will improve the efficiency of fluorescent lighting in commercial and industrial

applications. That agreement, worked out between lamp ballast manufacturers and energy

efficiency advocates, marked a turning point in the process by which energy efficiency standards

are set.

There is a 75-day public comment period on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking. The

Energy Department will host a public workshop in Washington, D.C., on December 9, 1999, to

present the results of the analyses and to receive comments in response to the issues listed in the

supplementary ANOPR. Participants will include Energy Department staff and all interested

parties, including representatives of manufacturers, trade associations, utilities, state energy

offices, retailers, and consumer/environmental groups.

The Department of Energy researches, develops and deploys clean, efficient and renewable

energy technologies to help meet America's energy needs while protecting the environment and

strengthening the economy. Energy technologies supported and promoted by the department will

play a key role in providing Clean Energyfor the 21st Centuy;.

-DOER-99-312

EE-RM-STD-98-440 COMMENT 14KK

EE-RM/STD_-448 - I Lf f( K 

- 2 -

standard for air conditioners and heat pumps by 10 percent to 20 percent would save enough 

energy over 25 years to supply electricity for up to 26 million homes in the U.S. for one year. In 

addition to the energy savings, more efficient air conditioners will substantially decrease 

greenhouse gas emissions linked to global climate change. 

In making today's announcement, Secretary Richardson challenged industry representatives and 

energy efficiency advocates to reach an agreement similar to the one announced on October IS, 

which will improve the efficiency of fluorescent lighting in commercial and industrial 

applications. That agreement, worked out between lamp ballast manufacturers and energy 

efficiency advocates, marked a turning point in the process by which energy efficiency standards 

are set. 

There is a 7S-day public comment period on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking. The 

Energy Department will host a public workshop in Washington, D.C., on December 9,1999, to 

present the results of the analyses and to receive comments in response to the issues listed in the 

supplementary ANOPR. Participants will include Energy Department staff and all interested 

parties, including representatives of manufacturers, trade associations, utilities, state energy 

offices, retailers, and consumer/environmental groups. 

The Department of Energy researches, develops and deploys clean, efficient and renewable 

energy technologies to help meet America's energy needs while protecting the environment and 

strengthening the economy. Energy technologies supported and promoted by the department will 

playa key role in providing Clean Energy for the 2 J sl Cenlury. 

-DOER-99-312 

EE-RM/STD_-448 - I Lf f( K 

- 2 -

standard for air conditioners and heat pumps by 10 percent to 20 percent would save enough 

energy over 25 years to supply electricity for up to 26 million homes in the U.S. for one year. In 

addition to the energy savings, more efficient air conditioners will substantially decrease 

greenhouse gas emissions linked to global climate change. 

In making today's announcement, Secretary Richardson challenged industry representatives and 

energy efficiency advocates to reach an agreement similar to the one announced on October IS, 

which will improve the efficiency of fluorescent lighting in commercial and industrial 

applications. That agreement, worked out between lamp ballast manufacturers and energy 

efficiency advocates, marked a turning point in the process by which energy efficiency standards 

are set. 

There is a 7S-day public comment period on the advance notice of proposed rulemaking. The 

Energy Department will host a public workshop in Washington, D.C., on December 9,1999, to 

present the results of the analyses and to receive comments in response to the issues listed in the 

supplementary ANOPR. Participants will include Energy Department staff and all interested 

parties, including representatives of manufacturers, trade associations, utilities, state energy 

offices, retailers, and consumer/environmental groups. 

The Department of Energy researches, develops and deploys clean, efficient and renewable 

energy technologies to help meet America's energy needs while protecting the environment and 

strengthening the economy. Energy technologies supported and promoted by the department will 

playa key role in providing Clean Energy for the 2 J sl Cenlury. 

-DOER-99-312