Light Commercial Air Conditioning: Moving the Market toward High Efficiency

摘要

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~(~R) 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.