Cranking Out The Rules

 With only weeks left in the Obama administration, federal agencies such as the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Office (EERE) are finishing up work on a number of initiatives and publishing final rulings. Who are the EERE? They are a subset of the Department of Energy (DOE). These rulings have an impact on the HVACR industry. While the rulings do not have a direct effect on technicians in the field, they have a big effect on HVACR manufacturers. Indirectly they will affect us as manufacturers respond to the directives. Most of the rulings have to do with how different equipment is tested by the manufacturer, and in some cases, what equipment is covered.  Here is a list of recent rulings with links for more information.

12/02/2016 DOE Issues a Notice of Final Rule Pertaining to Test Procedures for Walk-in Coolers and Walk-in Freezers

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2016-BT-TP-0030

12/01/2016 DOE Issues a Notice of Final Rule Pertaining to Test Procedures for Compressors

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2014-BT-TP-0054

11/30/2016 DOE Issues a Final Rule Pertaining to Test Procedures for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2016-BT-TP-0029

11/21/2016 DOE Issues a Comment Period Extension Pertaining to Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnaces

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2014-BT-STD-0031

 11/15/2016 DOE Publishes a Final Determination of Compressors as Covered Equipment

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2012-BT-DET-0033-0012

11/10/2016 DOE Publishes a Final Rule Pertaining to Test Procedures for Commercial Packaged Boilers

https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EERE-2014-BT-TP-0006-0049

10/07/2016 DOE Issues a Final Determination Pertaining to Energy Conservation Standards for Direct Heating Equipment  

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2016-BT-STD-0007

10/04/2016 DOE Issues a Direct Final Rule Pertaining to Energy Conservation Standards for Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=EERE-2011-BT-STD-0043