CEE’s high-efficiency specifications for commercial HVAC are being expanded to include higher tiers. Finalization of these tiers is expected by the end of the year.

In 2003, CEE eliminated its Tier 1 in response to increasing federal minimum standards. From that point forward, the High-Efficiency Commercial Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps Initiative (HECAC) had only included one tier. This initiative is currently promoted by 32 CEE members across North America.

The expanded version now comprises three tiers. The initial draft specification was circulated for industry comment in April and, with important input from manufacturers, is currently being revised. This new version is expected to be finalized in November and presented to the Board of Directors for approval by the end of the year.

Ongoing discussions with the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) and its members have explored the use of Integrated Part Load Value (IPLV) as an optional substitute metric for EER in large equipment.

ARI is in the process of revising the test procedure for IPLV. In the meantime, CEE’s Commercial HVAC Committee will re-evaluate this issue when a new test is in place. This could be as soon as November 2007.

[ back to top ]