The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a Federal Register notice of Direct Final Rule (DFR) pertaining to energy conservation standards for air-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps with a rated cooling capacity greater than or equal to 65,000 Btu/h. In this direct final rule, DOE is adopting amended standards, based on clear and convincing evidence, for air-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps with a rated cooling capacity greater than or equal to 65,000 Btu/h, which it has determined satisfy the relevant statutory criteria.

• The effective date of this rule is September 17, 2024, unless adverse comment is received by September 9, 2024. 
• Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number (EERE–2022–BT–STD-0015) by email ([email protected]), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).
• If adverse comments are received and DOE determines that such comments may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule under 42 U.S.C. 6295(o), a timely withdrawal of this rule will be published in the Federal Register. If no such adverse comments are received, compliance with the amended standards established for air-cooled commercial package air conditioners and heat pumps with a rated cooling capacity greater than or equal to 65,000 Btu/h in this direct final rule is required on and after January 1, 2029.

DOE has also published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) that proposes amended standards for CUAC/CUHPs identical to those set forth in the direct final rule. If DOE receives adverse comment and determines that such comment may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule, DOE will publish a notice of withdrawal and will proceed with this proposed rule.

• DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding the NOPR until September 9, 2024. 
• Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number (EERE–2022–BT–STD-0015) by email ([email protected]), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).

Find product information for Commercial Package Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps including current standards and test procedures, statutory authority, waivers, exceptions and contact information.