• The president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), Clifford H. “Ted” Rees Jr., recently told the Senate Energy Committee that a 20% increase in the minimum efficiency standard for central air conditioning and heat pumps was “the best, fairest approach to increasing energy efficiency and attaining the greatest energy conservation.”

    In a statement, Rees cited U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Small Business Administration support for the increase, which he said would make possible “affordable air conditioning for many more Americans” compared to a 30% increase in the standard which he said “simply makes no sense as a national policy.”

    According to Rees, the proposed 30% increase in Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) from the current 10 SEER standard “is economically dangerous to consumers and industry alike, and runs counter to our goal of energy conservation. And, there could be significant increased health risks to senior citizens and lower income families who rely on air conditioning today — not just for their comfort, but for their health and safety.”

    • Publication date: 07/24/2001