USA – The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) have warmly welcomed two recent Department of Energy (DOE) final rulings which have resulted in ASHRAE 90.1 efficiency levels being adopted for three-phase unitary products (< 65,000 Btu/h), water-source heat pumps, commercial oil-fired storage water heaters, and packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs).

“Adopting ASHRAE 90.1 efficiency levels for these products is the most logical and efficient method for DOE to manage their collective energy use,” commented AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. “We are pleased that DOE has agreed to continue relying on ASHRAE’s expertise in this area.”

The two rules, the Energy Conservation Program for Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Energy Conservation Program for Certain Industrial Equipment respectively, will become effective 60 days after their publication in the Federal Register, which is expected to occur in mid-July.

AHRI has been a long-term advocate for the adoption of the ASHRAE 90.1 standards for regulated products in an effort to ensure efficiency levels increase at the same rate as technology while still providing consumers with a variety of affordable products.