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STATEMENT ON AIR CONDITIONING AND REFRIGERATION INSTITUTE (ARI) WITHDRAWAL FROM SEER 13 LITIGATION

Andrew deLaski
Executive Director
Appliance Standards Awareness Project

March 17, 2004

The air conditioning industry's decision to accept the strong new central air conditioner energy efficiency standard is an important victory for consumers and the environment. The industry deserves credit for deciding to move ahead with the planning and investments needed to comply with this important standard.

Based on analysis of U.S. Department of Energy data by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, the new SEER 13 standard will have the following benefits relative to the existing SEER 10 standard:

• Save consumers about $3.4 billion per year on electric bills by 2020;
• Reduce peak electric demand by about 45,000 megawatts by 2020 - an amount equal to the output of about 150 power plants (300 mW each), and;
• Cut annual carbon dioxide emissions by about 29 million metric tons.

Because an increasing portion of power plants run on natural gas, especially plants that run during peak demand periods to power air conditioners, making air conditioners more efficient will reduce natural gas demand. That should help ease demand that has contributed to recent high natural gas prices. The new standard will also help make summertime power outages less likely by easing up on power demand during hot summer days.

The new standard will take effect on January 23, 2006.

For more information:
Andrew deLaski - phone: 617-363-9470

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The Appliance Standards Awareness Project is dedicated to increasing understanding of and support for national appliance and equipment energy efficiency standards. ASAP is sponsored by leading environmental groups, consumer groups and state government and utilities.