U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyFederal Energy Management Program – Energy-Efficient ProductsFEMP Designated Product: Residential Central Air Conditioner
Legal Authorities Federal agencies are required by the National Energy Conservation Policy Act (P.L. 95-619), Executive Order 13423 and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart 23.2 and 53.223 to specify and buy ENERGY STAR®-qualified products or, in categories not included in the ENERGY STAR program, FEMP-designated products which are among the highest 25 percent of equivalent products for energy efficiency. Information about energy-efficient residential central air conditioners in this section includes the following:
Also provided is a portable document format version of Purchasing Specifications for Energy-Efficient Residential Central Air Conditioners (PDF 204 KB). Download Adobe Reader.
a Based on tests performed in accordance with Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) 210/240 2003 Standard for Unitary Air Conditioners and Air-Source Heat Pump Equipment. Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is the total cooling output (in Btu) provided by the unit during its normal annual usage period for cooling divided by the total energy input (in watt-hours) during the same period. Buying Energy-Efficient Central Air ConditionersThis Specification applies to central air conditioners (CAC) that operate on single-phase current and have cooling capacities less than 65, 000 Btu/h. Room air conditioners (window and thru-the-wall) are covered by a separate specification and packaged terminal units are excluded. For CACs purchased directly from commercial sources, specify or select products that are ENERGY STAR®-qualified (see For More Information) or meet the Performance Requirements shown above. To find qualified CACs, go to the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) and Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute's (ARI) online directory. A guide that explains how to used this directory is available at www.energystar.gov/ia/products/heat_cool/CEE-ARI_Guide.pdf (PDF 1.4 MB). The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio or SEER is shown on the yellow EnergyGuide label required on these products. The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER), which is considered a better measure for determining peak load, can typically be found in the manufacturer's product literature or on their Web site. These requirements apply to the following forms of procurements: guide and project specifications; construction, renovation, repair, energy service, and operation and maintenance contracts; lease agreements and in all evaluations of solicitation responses. Model language to assist agencies with incorporating these requirements into procurement documents is available here. Buyers shall insert the standard clause from FAR section 52.223-15 into contracts and solicitations that deliver, acquire, furnish, or specify energy consuming products for use in federal facilities. The federal supply source for CACs is the General Services Administration (GSA), which sells them through its Multiple Awards Schedules program and on-line shopping network, GSA Advantage! Note that not all CACs sold through GSA are ENERGY STAR-qualified and some products that do qualify may not be indicated as such. When buying CACs through this source, check the models you are considering against the CEE/ARI Directory to assure that they meet this Specification. Agencies can claim an exception to these requirements through a written finding that no ENERGY STAR-qualified or FEMP-designated product is life cycle cost effective for the specific application. Buyer TipsFederal buyers should require that CACs be installed in accordance with the "HVAC Quality Installation (QI) Specification" published by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (see For More Information). Installation problems like oversizing, improper charging, and leaky ducts result in efficiency losses, occupant discomfort, and shortened equipment life. Requiring the contractor to follow the QI specification will assure that these and other problems are addressed and that the energy and cost saving are achieved. In the hot climate zones, consider installing CACs that exceed the Performance Requirments shown in the table above. Depending on utility rates, additional cost savings can be achieved. Refrigerants with ozone destroying hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) were commonly used in CACs until recently. When retiring CACs that contain HCFCs, the Clean Air Act (see For More Information) requires that certified technicians recover the refrigerant on-site and dispose of it in an environmentally-friendly manner. User TipsConsider leaving CACs off during unoccupied hours, or using a programmable thermostat to minimize unnecessary operation of the unit. Regular maintenance (e.g., charging refrigerant, replacing filters, etc.) is necessary to maintain peak performance.
a The SEER efficiency of the Base Model is the minimum allowed by current US DOE standards. Cost-Effectiveness AssumptionsAnnual energy use in this example is based on ARI Standard 210/240 for a model with cooling capacity of 36,000 Btu/h (3 ton) and 1,300 cooling load hours per year (typical for the Washington, DC area). The assumed price for electricity is 8¢/kWh, the average rate for federal facilities throughout the United States. Using the Cost-Effectiveness TableIn the example above, the Required CAC is cost-effective if its purchase price is no more than $340 above that of the Base Model. The Best Available model is cost-effective if its installed cost is no more than $1,300 above the Base Model. What if my Energy Price is Different?ENERGY STAR has an EXCEL-based cost calculator for CACs on its Web site. Click on Savings Calculator in the column on the right, input the SEER and capacity of the CAC, and the rate for electricity at your facility. The output section will automatically display results that more accurately reflect your energy use and cost. For More Information
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||