Energy Dept. announces historic new commercial air conditioner and furnace standards

The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced historic new efficiency standards for commercial air conditioners and furnaces. 

The standards will save more energy than any other standard issued by the Department to date, according to a news release. Over the lifetime of the products, businesses will save $167 billion on their utility bills, and carbon pollution will be reduced by 885 million metric tons.

These new standards will be implemented in two phases. The first phase will begin in 2018, and will deliver a 13% percent efficiency improvement in products. Five years later, an additional increase of 15% will be required for new commercial units.

Commercial air conditioners, also known as rooftop units, are commonly used in low-rise buildings such as schools, restaurants, big-box stores, and small office buildings. They cool about half of the total commercial floor space in the United States.