U.S. Dept. of Energy selects PHCC representative to serve on regional furnace standards advisory committee

July 16, 2014
The DOE has selected Chuck White, PHCC’s Vice President of Technical & Code Services, to participate in this follow-up process The DOE’s Final Furnace, Air Conditioner, and Heat Pump Rule sought to set new minimum efficiency standards for a myriad of regional standards As part of this follow-up process, DOE is seeking input from affected parties to address and resolve key issues

FALLS CHURCH, VA — The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC) is pleased to have a seat among a key rulemaking group under the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) to negotiate proposed regional federal standards for the energy efficiency requirements of residential and commercial appliances covered under the Final Furnace, Air Conditioner, and Heat Pump Rule. The U.S. Dept. of Energy (DOE) has selected Chuck White, PHCC’s Vice President of Technical & Code Services, to participate in this follow-up process to the Final Furnace, Air Conditioner, and Heat Pump Rule, a portion of which had been set aside as a result of litigation.

“As the only contractor in this group, Chuck will bring the practical concerns of the installing contractors – the front-line players – to the table in an effort to craft a program that saves energy in an economically feasible manner,” says PHCC Executive Vice President Gerry Kennedy. “PHCC is thrilled to have a representative involved in shaping the outcome of the proposed standards.”

The DOE’s Final Furnace, Air Conditioner, and Heat Pump Rule sought to set new minimum efficiency standards for a myriad of regional standards for furnaces and central air conditioners and residential HVAC products. In April, the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit approved a settlement that would rescind new regional federal efficiency standards for non-weatherized gas furnaces. The settlement was a result of a lawsuit filed by the American Public Gas Association challenging DOE’s Rule.  Currently, there are no energy conservation standards for regional standards enforcement.

As part of this follow-up process, DOE is seeking input from affected parties to address and resolve key issues. To read more about the DOE program, click here [opens as pdf].

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