Nation's Building News Online

Costly Residential Central Air Conditioner Standard Set for 2006

The Department of Energy on April 2 announced that it would enforce a 13 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) standard for residential central air conditioners that was issued by the Clinton Administration.

The department made its decision after a federal appeals court ruled that the Bush Administration could not roll back the standard to a 10 SEER.

The 13 SEER requirement was challenged by NAHB and the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) because it will add significantly to the cost of new home construction and will only be cost-effective in the southern-most climates zones.

For a majority of the country, especially the northern states, the energy savings from the higher standard will never pay for the higher cost of the product, creating an undue burden on working families striving to afford buying a home, the groups said.

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“It is time for the government and for private parties to stop litigating and start working toward complying with the 13 SEER standard,” said David Garman, the undersecretary of the Energy Department.

ARI has indicated that it will not challenge the latest decision, and the standard is scheduled to go into effect in January 2006.

For more information, e-mail John Ritterpusch in NAHB’s Construction Codes and Standards or call him at 800-368-5242 x8325.

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