U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Building Technologies Office – Appliance & Equipment Standards

Room Air Conditioners Rulemaking

This page describes rulemaking activities and regulations regarding energy efficiency for residential room air conditioners.

Statutory Authority

The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) (42 U.S.C. 6291, et seq.) established the Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other than Automobiles, covering major household appliances including room air conditioners. The National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 subsequently amended EPCA by establishing energy conservation standards for room air conditioners. The U.S. Department of Energy is currently developing the second rulemaking to review and amend energy conservation standards pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(c)(2).

Negotiated Rulemaking Activity

Energy Conservation Standards

The following link provides information on the calculation of DOE's new CEER standards levels adopted in the direct final rule for room air conditioners:

After a regulatory action has been issued, Section 6(a)(3)(E) of EO 12866 requires agencies to identify in a complete, clear, and simple manner, the substantive changes between the draft submitted to Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review and the action subsequently announced, and identify those changes in the regulatory action that were made at the suggestion or recommendation of OIRA. The documents at the links below are intended to comply with this requirement.

Test Procedures

Past Rulemakings

Contact Information

Stephen Witkowski, P.E.
Project Manager
(202) 586-7436