Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975 prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment, and requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to administer an energy conservation program for these products. EPCA, as amended, provides DOE the authority to establish energy conservation standard for certain commercial equipment covered by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Illuminating Engineerings Society of North America (IESNA) Standard 90.1, including packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and packaged terminal heat pumps (PTHPs). (42 U.S.C. 6113(a)(6)9A)) Section 342(a)(6)(A) provides that the DOE may prescribe a standard more stringent than the level in ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, after ASHRAE amends the energy conservation standards found in ASHRAE/IESNA Standard 90.1, if DOE can demonstrate "by clear and convincing evidence" that such a more stringent standard "would result in significant additional conservation of energy and is technologically feasible and economically justified."

DOE's, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program conducts the program that develops energy conservation standards for consumer products and commercial equipment. This office has the overall responsibility for rulemaking activities for PTACs and PTHPs in fulfillment of the law. The rulemaking activities for these products, both past and present, are presented below.

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Energy Conservation Standard Rulemaking

Certification, Compliance and Enforcement Requirements

The Department published a Final Rule on January 5, 2010, which adopts regulations to implement reporting requirements for energy conservation standards and energy use. The Final Rule also addresses other matters concerning compliance, certification and enforcement procedures. The Department published a Technical Amendment on January 28, 2010 that corrects cross-referencing errors in the final rule.

Previous Federal Register Notices

Contact Information

Wes Anderson
Project Manager for PTAC/PTHP Equipment
(202)586-7335