Light Commercial Air Conditioning: Moving the Market toward High Efficiency

Mahri Lowinger, Rachael Shwom, and Denise Rouleau, Consortium for Energy Efficiency
Brad Hollomon, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Jon Linn, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships

Keywords

Abstract

A number of organizations employing various program strategies work harmoniously to promote the same levels of high-efficiency air conditioning equipment. These efforts contribute to increased equipment acquisition, product availability and consumer acceptance of higher-efficiency heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. The combination of these diverse market intervention strategies is expected to cause a lasting increase in consumer demand and energy-efficient product availability.

This paper presents an overview of the light commercial air conditioning market, reviews the various market intervention strategies underway and measures progress of the increasing high-efficiency product market. Featured program strategies include those of the Cool Choice Initiative (sponsored by members of the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships), the ENERGY STAR® Light Commercial HVAC labeling program and the Department of Energy’s Technology Procurement Effort. The High-Efficiency Commercial Air Conditioning specification developed by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) – serving as the common element across these strategies – will be discussed. Individual goals, successes and challenges of these efforts will be explored – as well as the expected synergistic effects on the market.