The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced historic new efficiency standards for commercial air conditioners and furnaces.
The standards will save more energy than any other standard issued by the Department to date, according to a news release. Over the lifetime of the products, businesses will save $167 billion on their utility bills, and carbon pollution will be reduced by 885 million metric tons.
These new standards will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will begin in 2018, and will deliver a 13% percent efficiency improvement in products. Five years later, an additional increase of 15% will be required for new commercial units.
Commercial air conditioners, also known as rooftop units, are commonly used in low-rise buildings such as schools, restaurants, big-box stores, and small office buildings. They cool about half of the total commercial floor space in the United States.
Related Stories
Sponsored | Insulation | Jun 18, 2015
A modern approach to continuous insulation
The poject included replacing the original residence halls built in the 1970s
Sponsored | Transit Facilities | Jun 15, 2015
Success through teamwork for landmark California project
The Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center (ARTIC) is the Grand Central Station of the future
HVAC | Feb 6, 2015
ASHRAE, REHVA publish guide to chilled beam systems
The guide provides tools and advice for designing, commissioning, and operating chilled-beam systems.
Brick and Masonry | Feb 5, 2015
3D-printed 'cool brick' may provide cooling solution for arid locations
Cool Brick is made of porous ceramic bricks set in mortar. The bricks absorb water, which cools the air as it passes through the unit.
| Dec 28, 2014
New trends in ceiling designs and materials [AIA course]
A broad array of new and improved ceiling products offers designers everything from superior acoustics and closed-loop, recycled content to eased integration with lighting systems, HVAC diffusers, fire sprinkler heads, and other overhead problems. This course describes how Building Teams are exploring ways to go beyond the treatment of ceilings as white, monolithic planes.
| Sep 5, 2014
Uponor launches new stainless-steel manifold for radiant heating and cooling applications
Made of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, the manifold is available in 1" and 1¼" sizes in 2 through 8, 10 and 12 loop configurations.
| Aug 14, 2014
8 do's and don'ts for completing an HVAC life cycle cost assessment
There are many hurdles to overcome when completing a life cycle cost assessment. RMF Engineering’s Seth Spangler offers some words of advice regarding LCCAs.
| Aug 14, 2014
Life cycle cost analysis using energy modeling
A life cycle cost analysis helps a school district decide which HVAC system to use in $198 million worth of future building projects.
| Aug 4, 2014
Facebook’s prefab data center concept aims to slash construction time in half
Less than a year after opening its ultra-green, hydropowered data center facility in Luleå, Sweden, Facebook is back at it in Mother Svea with yet another novel approach to data center design.
| Jul 17, 2014
A harmful trade-off many U.S. green buildings make
The Urban Green Council addresses a concern that many "green" buildings in the U.S. have: poor insulation.