Gita Subramony for Zondits, March 19, 2015 The DOE has proposed new rules regarding gas furnaces and minimum efficiencies. The new rules will raise the minimum efficiency for gas furnaces to 92 AFUE. The previous standard, which went into effect in 1992, required only 78 AFUE. After facing challenges from the natural gas industry, the … Read more
Computers and monitors are targets of latest energy-efficiency rules LA Times, March 15, 2015 California regulators are intensifying efforts to wring every possible electron out of common household devices. This time, the focus is on cutting the use of electricity by power-hungry computers and monitors. The California Energy Commission just released the latest in a … Read more
Intelligent Furnaces Meet Consumer Needs, Government Regulations ACHR News, February 23, 2015 Furnaces are growing smarter and more efficient, specifically to meet new U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) standards and to fulfill the comfort demands of end users. Terminology talk at the AHR Expo focused on variable-speed compressors, electronically commutated motors (ECMs), and variable-capacity systems … Read more
New National Furnace Standards Will Save Consumers Money, but Stronger Standards Could Save Even More Energy Efficiency Markets, February 11, 2015 The US Department of Energy has issued a proposed rule for furnaces that would provide significant savings for consumers on their home heating bills, and be among the biggest natural-gas saving standards ever completed by … Read more
Valerie Eacret for Zondits, February 9, 2015 The Proposed Revisions to the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 1, Chapter 10, and Part 6 is about as dense of a read as its title is. That’s why Zondits is doing the digging for you. While the revisions … Read more
Town of Rhinebeck considers further delay in adopting energy-efficient building standards Daily Freeman News, February 5, 2015 The Town Board has set a public hearing next month to extend by one year a moratorium on developing green building standards called for in the town’s comprehensive plan. The hearing is scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Feb. 9 … Read more
Changes to renewable energy standards? The Burlington Free Press, January 23, 2015 Vermont is considering a change to its energy policy that would end a practice that critics said amounted to double-counting the environmental benefits of its renewable sources of power. Legislation to be described to the House Natural Resources and Energy Committee on Friday … Read more
Renewables enjoy new bipartisan consensus, but efficiency standards remain under attack Utility Dive, January 16, 2015 A wave of conservative political victories does not appear to have set off a fresh series of attacks against state renewable portfolio standards (RPS). The reason? Cleaner power is now mainstream, and competes in the energy marketplace. “I would … Read more
On the very last day of 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) released new energy efficiency standards for linear fluorescent lights that will lower the electric bills of virtually every office building, school, and hospital across the country by $15 billion through 2030.
Tuesday’s edition of the Federal Register contains new efficiency standards for home heating equipment, pool heaters, and fluorescent lamps, reporting requirements for railroads that cross streets and pedestrian walkways, and performance standards for railroads.