Many of us out there are familiar with regulation. Indeed, we encounter it daily, whether that's in the form of sales tax, parking tickets, or figuring out why even though we didn't turn our gas stove on for an entire month, there still are "usage fees" and "subsidy taxes" on our bill that we end up paying.
Still, in the realm of HVACR, we've been pretty blessed. The regulatory gods out there have for the most part, until the last few years, left us alone. Apparently, they figured they were missing out on something, because they've awoken with a vengence now.
Regionalized efficiency standards are something that we have been dealing with in our industry for the last few years. Some cities have even tried to place particular standards in place, Albuquerque, NM, being the most pronounced about it lately. Now there is a new agreement in place, signed by some of the leading manufacturers of HVACR equipment and organizations such as AHRI and other energy-efficiency promoting organizations, designed to establish regionalized efficiency standards for central air conditioners and gas furnaces. Several organizations that have signed this agreement have offered information on it, including the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. The goal is to make sure that the most efficient equipment is installed in each region. In theory it makes a lot of sense. You'd think that contractors and installers would already be making sure that such steps were taking place.
Unfortunately, however, that isn't always the case. Other organizations such as ACCA and HARDI have released statements stating they couldn't sign the agreement. They needed to get more input from members, and were concerned about what all this regulation could mean in the future. HARDI did note in its statement that it felt the organizations involved did have the best interest of the industry at heart. I'd have to agree with this. Unfortunately, as is often the case when it comes to legislation, agreements and regulatory issues, everyone has different opinions of what is best. It's that whole agreement thing that makes it tough.
No one is sure what this agreement will mean for future developments. And as we all know, regulations and stipulations usually take time to get sorted out (we're STILL waiting on the EPA's final decision regarding its proposed rules...I know manufacturers are thrilled about this). But one thing IS certain. Everyone in the industry must keep a watchful eye on what is going on out there, both in Washington, D.C., and their own backyard. At this rate, what might be legal when you get up in the morning and get in your truck might get you fined before you head home at the end of the day.
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