April 23, 2012
Contact: Monica Cardenas, Director, Communications
Direct: 703.600.0377

Arlington, Va. – The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) has been at the forefront of identifying and implementing energy-saving practices.

“AHRI takes the environment and energy efficiency very seriously,” said AHRI President and CEO Stephen Yurek. “Because our members manufacture products people rely on every day — products that consume significant amounts of energy — we have the opportunity and responsibility through innovation and commitment to make our products as energy efficient as possible — and we’ve made great strides,” he said.

In addition to encouraging consumers to upgrade from older, less efficient equipment – and providing information about tax credits and utility rebates that might help them accomplish that, AHRI regularly reminds consumers of the importance of properly maintaining HVACR and water heating equipment, helping them to reduce energy use. AHRI’s website, www.ahrinet.org, contains a wealth of information for consumers regarding new technologies to enhance their comfort, about the importance of establishing a service contract, the wisdom of installing a programmable thermostat, as well as simple do-it-yourself maintenance such as regularly replacing air filters.

In addition, AHRI’s standards writing and certification programs set a universal standard for performance of equipment, and verify manufacturers’ efficiency ratings.

AHRI’s 2009 consensus agreement establishing for the first time regional efficiency standards for residential furnaces, heat pumps, and central air conditioners is an excellent example of our commitment to environmental stewardship. That agreement was adopted by was the Department of Energy in a Direct Final Rule issued in July 2011, establishing new federal minimum energy efficiency levels for those products. Negotiated by AHRI with several energy efficiency groups, the agreement will, by 2030, save the equivalent of the annual energy used by 18 million households.

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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.