FRANK'S BLOG

NEW RULES FOR AIR CONDITIONING
EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS
UNIT OWNERS WHO WISH OR NEED TO REPLACE THEIR AIR CONDITIONING UNITS SHOULD NOTE THAT AS OF JANUARY 1, 2006 THEY MUST PUT IN A UNIT WITH A SEASONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY RATING (SEER) OF 13 AS A MINIMUM. THIS IS INTENDED TO REDUCE ELECTRICAL POWER CONSUMPTION DURING THE UNIT'S OPERATION. PP II UNIT OWNERS SHOULD REFER TO OUR RULES AND REGULATIONS ITEM 2. IF YOU PUT IN A UNIT OF THE SAME TYPE AND SIMILAR (NOT THE EXACT SAME SIZE) TO THE ORIGINAL YOU DO NOT NEED WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO INSTALL THE UNIT. THIS ASSUMES IT IS A NORMAL MANUFACTURERS PRODUCTION MODEL AND NOT SOME GARISHLY PAINTED EYESORE. RULE NO 2 IS INTENDED TO PREVENT INSTALLATION OF WINDOW OR THROUGH THE WALL AIR CONDITIONING UNITS WHICH WOULD NOT BE OF THE SAME TYPE AS ORIGINALLY INSTALLED. BELOW IS THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY'S PRESS RELEASE ON THIS CHANGE.

April 2, 2004Energy Department Will Enforce 13 SEER AirConditioner StandardWASHINGTON, DC – The Department of Energy (DOE)announced today that it will enforce a 13 seasonal energyefficiency rating or “SEER” standard for residential central airconditioners. This standard, which will apply to central airconditioners starting in January 2006, increases by 30 percent theSEER standard that applies to models sold today.“At this point, all parties have had their day in court,” AssistantSecretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy DavidGarman said. “DOE will enforce the 13 SEER standard. In theinterest of giving consumers and industry the regulatory certaintythey need, it is time for the government and for private parties tostop litigating, and start working towards complying with the 13SEER standard.”The Energy Department had promulgated a 12 SEER standard in2002, but earlier this year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for theSecond Circuit ruled that the department had done so improperly.The air conditioner manufacturing industry had challenged the 13SEER, which DOE had issued in January 2001, but recentlywithdrew its challenge.Media contacts:Joe Davis, 202/586-4940