CEE and the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) have launched a new, on-line directory of energy-efficient central air conditioners and heat pumps.

The directory can be accessed at www.ceehvacdirectory.org

Products listed in the directory meet CEE's energy-efficiency specifications for residential and small commercial (less than 65,000 Btu/h) equipment, which include requirements for Energy-Efficiency Ratio (EER). CEE's HVAC initiatives also include requirements for Seasonal Energy-Efficiency Ratio (SEER) and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF). Financial incentives for products meeting the CEE specifications are available in many parts of the country.

Specifications for CEE's Residential HVAC Initiative and Commercial HVAC Initiative can be found on the CEE Web site.

“AHRI's willingness to create this directory is greatly appreciated by energy-efficiency program administrators, who will now have a much easier time promoting air conditioners and heat pumps that perform efficiently at high temperatures," said Marc Hoffman, CEE Executive Director. "This equipment reduces energy use during peak periods and helps increase the reliability of the electric grid."

The EER for the listed products will be verified through testing under AHRI's Unitary Air Conditioner and Air-Source Unitary Heat Pump Certification Program. As a result, end-users and energy-efficiency program administrators can be assured that the EER data reported by manufacturers is accurate and is verified through a recognized certification program with extensive annual testing requirements. The source of the EER data is AHRI’s on-line PrimeNet certification directory.

“Our goal is to be good stewards of the environment as we help people live healthier, happier, longer lives,” said Deborah Miller, AHRI Vice President of Government and International Affairs. "AHRI members worked with CEE to develop the directory to make it easier for consumers to purchase energy-efficient air-conditioning equipment. These hot and humid days of summer remind us how much air conditioning improves our quality of life. We look forward to working with CEE on future initiatives.”

The CEE-AHRI HVAC Directory is also enabling ENERGY STAR^® to lift the suspension of the EER requirement contained in its specifications for residential equipment. ENERGY STAR had suspended the use of EER in its specifications in November 2003. ENERGY STAR has stated it will re-establish a minimum performance level requirement of 11 EER on August 6, 2004.

“The new CEE-AHRI HVAC Directory will act as a valuable resource for consumers, contractors and energy-efficiency programs across the country to identify ENERGY STAR-qualified products with the EER element integrated as a critical component to energy-efficient performance,” said Steve Ryan, ENERGY STAR HVAC Program Manager.

The following CEE members funded the development and maintenance of the directory:

The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute is the trade association representing manufacturers of more than 90 percent of North American produced central air-conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment.

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