Regional Standards: What Do the Experts Say?

At the HVAC Systems & Equipment Council meeting at last year's Annual Conference, the issue of regional standards related to HVACR equipment arose and raised some interesting comments.

Because we surmised the attendees had a strong interest on the subject, we decided to pursue the conversation. We decided to ask a panel consisting of a major wholesaler, a manufacturer and a senior fellow at a nonprofit that promotes energy efficiency.

We created three of the questions and allowed each participant to ask/answer his own fourth question.

Here's what they had to say about regional standards.

QUESTION 1

What benefits do you see associated with regional HVACR standards?

SACHS: At ACEEE (American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy), we believe that regional standards can save energy. We predict that manufacturers, distributors, contractors and consumers will all benefit from rating methods that are more appropriate for the needs of houses in different regions. In the hot, dry Southwest, dehumidification is irrelevant — the air is very dry anyhow. But, EER — steady-state efficiency at very high temperature — is very important. That's what determines how much electricity must be generated. Sixty percent of California's peak power requirements are attributable to air conditioning. If we can avoid new power plants by making more-efficient air conditioners at much lower cost than by increasing our purchases of expensive generating equipment that won't be used but a couple of hundred hours/year, society and the environment win.

In the Southeast, a less scrupulous manufacturer might try to achieve higher ratings (SEER) by increasing the sensible heat ratio at the risk of leaving customers cold and clammy, with high bills to boot. Maximum SHR requirements will help create a level playing field. Energy efficiency must include comfort and protection against mold. So, we think that these two regions need different standards from the national norm. The report I did with colleagues from Florida Solar Energy Center and CDH Energy on this subject is available free at http://aceee.org/pubs/a071.htm.

CRAWFORD: One must distinguish between intended benefits and real-istically attainable benefits. The intended benefits are laudable: reduced energy consumption, emissions and consumers' energy bills. The attainable benefits may be much less than expected due to market resistance.

ROBERTS: I think the proponents believe that this is the solution to delivering comfort systems that deliver economical, comfortable indoor environments in those parts of the country that endure extremely high ambient temperatures or humidity.