Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Energy recently released energy efficiency standards for new rooftop air conditioners, heat pumps, and furnaces that heat and cool more than half of America’s commercial floor space. Together, they represent the largest energy and pollution savings of any rules issued by the agency since the standards program began in 1987.
The energy efficiency standards — which will cover new rooftop units (RTUs) found on low-rise buildings like hospitals, schools, and big box stores — will save nearly enough energy over the next 30 years to offset the annual carbon dioxide emissions of more than 120 million homes. The standards are the result of negotiations among a broad group of stakeholders that included manufacturers, utilities, and consumer and environmental organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council.
