Some familiar names in HVACR were among the companies recognized in Washington, D.C., in April for their leadership in conserving energy and decarbonizing the environment.
Delta Electronics (Americas), A.O. Smith, Hoshizaki America Inc., Rheem Manufacturing Co., Copeland, and several others in the industry were honored as Energy Star Partners of the Year–Sustained Excellence during an April 25 event. They and more than 200 other companies given Energy Star awards made what the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) called “significant contributions in support of the clean energy transition,” an EPA press release said.
“I congratulate this year’s Energy Star award winners for their innovation and leadership in delivering cost-effective, energy-efficient solutions that create jobs, address climate change, and contribute to a healthier environment for all,” EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said in the release.
The complete list of honorees included manufacturers, retail companies, utilities, construction companies, energy-rating firms, and more. The honors are given in three categories: the Energy Star Partner of the Year–Sustained Excellence, the Energy Star Partner of the Year, and the Energy Star Award.
Delta Electronics (Americas), based in Fremont, California, won its seventh consecutive Partner of the Year honors. The company makes energy-saving brushless-motor ventilation fans, among other products; more than 90% of its eligible products are certified by Energy Star, and more than 21% are recognized as Energy Star Most efficient, according to the EPA.
Delta was recognized for marketing its Energy Star-certified products on its website, on social media channels, and in cooperation with its wholesaler partners, and for providing content on its website that explains the Energy Star certification process and the value of certified products, the EPA said.
“We are elated to be honored once again by Energy Star for our sustained excellence and commitment to providing innovative solutions that enable customers to reduce their environmental footprint and electricity costs,” said Alex Lee, vice president of fan and display systems at Delta Electronics (Americas). “With an impressive array of 97 Energy Star-qualified ventilation fans, Delta Breez continues to champion indoor air quality enhancements and energy conservation efforts.”
A.O. Smith, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, received its sixth consecutive Partner of the Year award. The company was honored for a new website design that highlights Energy Star products, its marketing of Energy Star-certified heat-pump water heaters, and its support of and participation in the Energy Star Manufacturer Action Council’s training efforts, among other activities, according to the EPA.
A.O. Smith is marking its 150th anniversary this year.
EPA VIPS: Bradford White Corp.'s Eric Truskoski, left, vice president of administration and government affairs, and Rebecca Owens, senior communications manager, represented the water heater manufacturer in Washington, D.C., on April 25 during an event to honor the 2024 Energy Star Partners. Energy Star is a program, run by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy, to promote energy efficiency. (Courtesy of Bradford White Corp.)
“It’s only fitting that during this milestone year, we are recognized for our commitment to sustainability and innovation that continues to drive our business forward,” said Francois Lebrasseur, the company’s business development manager for utilities. “We’re proud to partner with such a well-respected organization to provide our customers with cost-saving, energy-efficient solutions that push the water-heating industry toward a greener future.”
Rheem, based in Atlanta, Georgia, won its fourth consecutive Partner of the Year award. The company was recognized for its new Endeavor Line Prestige Series iM heat pump and its new ThermaForce and Combi boilers, all of which are certified by Energy Star, for training contractors, utility employees, retailers, and distributors on its sustainability efforts, and for its leading role on the Energy Star Heat Pump Water Heater Manufacturer Action Council, among other activities, the EPA said.
“Winning this prestigious award for four consecutive years is not only a testament to our ongoing efforts but also a reaffirmation of our position as leaders in promoting environmental stewardship and energy conservation,” said Kevin Ruppelt, senior vice president and general manager of Rheem’s U.S. air-conditioning division. “It reflects the hard work, dedication, and innovation of every member of our team.”
Energy Star is a program run jointly by the EPA and the Department of Energy (DOE) to promote energy efficiency and rate products based on their energy efficiency.
Other HVACR-related companies honored this year by the Energy Star program included LG Electronics, Bradford White Corp., Resideo Technologies Inc., Emerson, ecobee, Samsung Electronics, Panasonic Eco Systems North America, Air King America, Schneider Electric, Broan Nu-Tone, and the distributor Ferguson Enterprises.
