Portable Air Conditioners
As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “portable air conditioner” means a portable encased assembly, other than a “packaged terminal air conditioner,” “room air conditioner,” or “dehumidifier,” that delivers cooled, conditioned air to an enclosed space, and is powered by single-phase electric current. It includes a source of refrigeration and may include additional means for air circulation and heating.
Current Standard | Current Test Procedure |
Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure |
Helpful Links
Recent and Ongoing Activities
DOE has published a Federal Register final rule amending the current test procedure for portable air conditioners (portable ACs) to incorporate a measure of variable-speed portable AC performance, generally consistent with previously granted waivers, and to make minor clarifying edits. DOE also establishes a new test procedure for portable ACs that provides more representative measures of cooling capacity and energy consumption. The new test procedure will provide the basis for development of any updated efficiency standards for portable ACs. Should DOE establish such standards, the amended test procedure would become the required test method for determining compliance.
- The effective date of this rule is June 14, 2023.
- The amendments to Appendix CC will be mandatory for product testing starting November 13, 2023. Manufacturers will be required to use the Appendix CC until the compliance date of any final rule establishing amended energy conservation standards for portable ACs based on the newly established test procedure at Appendix CC1. At such time, manufacturers will be required to begin using Appendix CC1.
- The incorporation by reference of certain materials listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register June 14, 2023.
For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.
Standards
| Final Rule |
- Federal Register, 85FR1378 (January 10, 2020)
- The effective date of this rule is March 10, 2020. Compliance with the standards established for portable ACs in this final rule is required on and after January 10, 2025.
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Public Meeting Information:
There are no public meetings scheduled.
Submitting Public Comments
Test Procedure
| Final Rule |
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| Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
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| Request for Information |
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The portable AC test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2020-BT-TP-0029 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
Current Standard
The current standards for portable air conditioners were established in a final rule published on January 10, 2020 (85 FR 1378). Compliance with the new standards in the final rule is required beginning on January 10, 2025.
To determine that portable air conditioners that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 430, Subpart B, Appendix CC to Subpart B of Part 430—Uniform Test Method for Measuring the Energy Consumption of Portable Air Conditioners.
Helpful Links
Compliance
DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information on these regulations is available here.
Waivers
For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.
Exceptions
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions
For information on further guidance and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart D.
Small Business Exemptions
Any manufacturer of a covered product with annual gross revenues that do not exceed $8,000,000 from all its operations and meets certain other conditions may apply for an exemption to the energy conservation standard. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart E.
ENERGY STAR®
DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov
