Articles Tagged with ''regulations for HVACR''

In 2014, the HVACR industry saw an unprecedented amount of regulatory action from government entities, and, according to industry leaders, the regulatory action will continue through 2015. 

While the new efficiency standards do not require manufacturers to use any specific technologies to achieve the new EF (energy factor) ratings, they’ve already necessitated a significant redesign effort from manufacturers. Additionally, the increasing unit sizes pose transportation and installation challenges that have yet to be fully understood.

With regional standards for a/c equipment going into effect in 2015, how do you think it will impact the industry?

Life sure is strange. I find myself appearing in the pages of this fine publication after more than 30 years of working for a competitive magazine. And, yet, it’s like a homecoming of sorts.

The standards, which were set by the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) in 2007 and implemented Sept. 1, 2012, required residential gas hot water boilers to meet a minimum AFUE of 82 percent; gas steam boilers, 80 percent; oil hot water boilers, 84 percent; and oil steam boilers, 82 percent.

While some are concerned the DOE may overstep its bounds again, others are hopeful the agency will continue to accept industry input and guidance as it develops its final rule.

When California Gov. Jerry Brown recently signed legislation requiring paid sick days for millions of workers across the state, he declared it a victory for employees. While Brown touted the benefits of the new law for employees, the California Chamber of Commerce named it one of the state’s top “job killers.”

Over the past year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued more than a dozen final rules that directly or indirectly impact the HVACR industry. Two, in particular, directly regulate minimum efficiency requirements for HVAC motors.

Many people use the month of December as a time to think about their New Year’s resolutions and changes that they will be making the following year. Most of the time, these changes and resolutions are voluntary. However, for HVACR distributors, change is coming in 2015 courtesy of the federal government, and when Uncle Sam dictates change, there isn’t a heck of a lot to do but acquiesce.