Through the High-Efficiency Commercial Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Initiative (HECAC), CEE
works with program sponsors to promote high-efficiency specifications and quality installation
of unitary air conditioning and heat pump equipment.
HIGH-EFFICIENCY UNITARY EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS
On January 19, 2007 minimum-performance tiers for qualifying equipment were approved by the
CEE Board of Directors. Utilities and other organizations promote the use of CEE's tiers through
education and rebate programs. As part of this initiative, an Equipment
Availability Table is available.
Click here for CEE's current commercial HVAC specifications.
CEE DIRECTORY OF AHRI-VERIFIED EQUIPMENT
CEE also maintains a directory of AHRI verified, energy-efficient residential and small commercial
HVAC equipment. This directory, www.ceehvacdirectory.org,
catalogues thousands of HVAC systems that are 65,000 btu/h or less and that meet CEE's specification
levels. For larger qualifying CEE products, please use the AHRI web site www.ahridirectory.org.
QUALITY INSTALLATION
The potential energy loss due to improper sizing and poor installation can be even greater than the savings achieved by replacing inefficient equipment with a high-efficiency system. CEE contracted with the Davis Energy Group to develop guidelines in December 1999 to educate consumers and practitioners on best practices in unitary equipment installation. The resulting guidelines were adopted by CEE’s board in March 2001.
Click here for the CEE Guidelines for Energy-Efficiency Commercial Unitary HVAC Systems
In May 2007, CEE adopted an industry-endorsed specification of energy-efficient installation practices for residential and light commercial HVAC systems.
Click here for the ANSI/ACCA Quality Installation specification.
EXPLORATORY WORK
CEE is assessing energy savings potential for commercial boilers. Please consult the
Gas Programs portion of CEE's web site for additional
information on this exploratory effort.
RESOURCES/LINKS
Consumer information on Light Commercial HVAC can be found on the ENERGY STAR Web site.
Information regarding upcoming federal minimums for Unitary equipment can also be found on the
Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network.
US DOE Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) provides a cost calculator for Unitary Equipment.
In 2003, the California Energy Commission released the Small Commercial HVAC Design Guide.
For more information about CEE's High-Efficiency Commercial Air Conditioning & Heat Pumps
Initiative, contact Afroz Khan at 617-589-3949, ext. 208.
