Early in 2018, the Department of Energy instituted new rules for energy regulations and efficiency across the nation. While some of the rules affect homeowners, it is commercial HVAC customers that will really feel the impact. With the announcement of new Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio (IEER) ratings, businesses large and small need to start making some big decisions about their HVAC remanufactured compressor energy efficiency. Read on to learn more about how things are changing and what steps you need to take to be in compliance.
About IEER Rules
The new IEER rules are somewhat convoluted for businesses who have not been paying attention, but they are designed to save businesses money and help reduce the carbon footprint of operations across the board. First and foremost, you need to know that this change is being implemented in two phases, so you have time to step up your efficiency as technology improves and prices drop. Secondly, IEER ratings are categorized based on the size and type of system you have, so you need to be sure you are working within the correct parameters to meet the guidelines. Your HVAC contractor should be able to guide you and answer any questions regarding the IEER chart. This is definitely not a task that you will want to take on on your own.
Phase One
The first phase of the regulations went into effect this year, 2018. Businesses are looking to improve energy efficiency by 13% or more with their commercial HVAC compressors this year. While this may seem like a big leap, the Consortium of Energy Efficiency (CEE) has been working to guide businesses through this change for two years, and they have published some very helpful guidelines to help you get there. In the short term, this change will start saving you thousands of dollars each year in your heating and cooling costs. Commercial entities who are subject to the new guidelines can read up on the CEE’s suggestions for how to update your system and how to measure efficiency gains to ensure that you are hitting the threshold. The CEE has also laid out some helpful information about how much you will save by making these changes in the short term.
Phase Two
The second phase of efficiency upgrades will take effect in five years, or the year 2023. Over the next five years, the DOE and CEE are banking on HVAC manufacturers to find more ways to improve while also making technology more affordable for business owners. At that time, businesses will be expected to make another 16% improvement for a total of 29% more efficient operations. Businesses should be working with an HVAC contractor to create a five year plan that will meet these guidelines. Planning now to invest in newer HVAC commercial compressors will save you from sticker shock down the road.
Your Commercial Compressor Needs
With these rules in mind, your HVAC contractor should be mindful of selecting an HVAC commercial compressor that falls within the appropriate IEER band for size and function. While it may be tempting to take a minimalist approach right now to hit the 13% threshold, there is reason to start planning for phase two today. The bigger the improvements you make today, the less distance you will have to cover in the long run. On the other hand, overspending today on a technology that will quickly become outdated could be a costly mistake.
The best solution is to hire a commercial HVAC contractor who is familiar with the new guidelines and can help you stage your future commercial HVAC updates to meet or exceed them. Compressors Unlimited has access to many of the latest compressor technologies to bring your business HVAC system up to speed.
