DOE Eases Clinton's Proposed Air Conditioning Efficiency Standard
The Bush administration has issued new energy-efficiency standards for residential air conditioners and heat pumps that are less ambitious than a regulation proposed by the Clinton administration, but still would represent a stiffer requirement than the present one.
Under the proposal, announced April 13, central air conditioners and heat pumps would have to meet a 12/12 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio standard. The Clinton proposal called for a SEER of 13. DOE estimates that its proposal would result in a $213 price increase for consumers, compared with a $335 hike under the Clinton plan. DOE Secretary Spencer Abraham says that cost difference would be a particular benefit to low-income consumers.