ARLINGTON, Va. - The Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) has announced the availability of a new Web site where contractors, architects, engineers, specifiers, and consumers can access information about one of its most important functions - HVACR product certification.

According to ARI, the site (www.ari.org/cert) contains hundreds of pages of information about its certification programs including:

  • Detailed information about each individual certification program, including product descriptions and free performance standard downloads;

  • Consumer tips on utility rebates, describing the benefits of purchasing ARI-certified equipment and the difference between certified and rated products;

  • A section where independent laboratories can solicit bids for conducting product performance testing of HVACR equipment for the 2005 testing year;

  • A frequently asked questions section, which answers questions manufacturers may have about ARI's certification programs and certified equipment; and

  • A link to PrimeNet (www.ariprimenet.org), ARI's free online directories of certified equipment.

    In its certification programs, ARI verifies manufacturers' certified performance ratings of industry products in continuous laboratory testing. ARI currently administers 21 certification programs for various types of HVACR equipment. It annually selects a significant portion of each participating manufacturer's production models to be tested by an independent laboratory. Overall, ARI administers more than 1,800 certification tests each year. Units are tested using procedures stipulated in the corresponding ARI standard to verify that they meet the manufacturers' certified published performance.

    For more information about ARI's certification programs, visit www.ari.org/cert.

    Publication date: 06/07/2004