December 3, 2012
Contact: Francis Dietz, Vice President, Public Affairs
Direct: 703.600.0355

Will Continue to Push for AEDM and Time to Implement

Arlington, VA — The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) today expressed relief at the 12-month extension granted by the Department of Energy (DOE) for certification of all covered commercial equipment, with the exception of automatic commercial ice makers, but indicated it will continue to work with DOE to ensure that the agency’s testing, certification, and reporting requirements do not unduly burden manufacturers.

A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, to be listed soon in the Federal Register, will extend the December 31, 2012, deadline by 12 months for manufacturers to certify and file specific performance information with the DOE for federally covered commercial equipment. DOE proposed not to extend the compliance date for automatic commercial ice makers as it is not aware of any issues that would prevent manufacturers from complying with the certification requirements by the end of the year. However, DOE invited stakeholders to comment on whether the compliance date should be extended. On the other hand, the compliance date for walk-in coolers and freezers has been in effect since October 1, 2011, and is not subject to this rulemaking.

“The proposed extension is six months shorter than we had requested,” said Stephen Yurek, AHRI President & CEO. “So, while we are relieved that our members will have additional time to comply, we will continue to work with DOE to issue as soon as possible a final rule on requirements for developing and maintaining an Alternative Efficiency Determination Method (AEDM) for commercial equipment, along with sufficient time for manufacturers to develop and implement a DOE-compliant AEDM for their equipment,” he said.

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About AHRI
The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating, commercial refrigeration, and water heating equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI’s 309 member companies manufacture quality, efficient, and innovative residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment and components for sale in North America and around the world.