U.S. Rep. Bob Latta (R-OH) has proposed modifying regulations to ease confusion regarding new energy efficiency standards that manufacturers of furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps must meet next year.
Under new legislation introduced by Rep. Latta, the SMART Energy Efficiency Standards Act, H.R. 5845, the date that furnace, central air conditioners, and heat pump manufacturers must comply with regional energy efficiency standards would change to the date of manufacture instead of the date of installation. The congressman said that action would bring the regulations in line with the rest of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA).
“With current supply chain issues and delays, consumers need to be able to readily access appliances such as furnaces, AC units, and heat pumps when a replacement is needed,” said Rep. Latta, who serves on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy. “The last thing consumers should experience during this costly and exhaustive process is to be unable to obtain these products due to uneven and confusing regulations.”
If the energy efficiency requirements are applied to products based on their date of installation rather than the date they were manufactured, the congressman’s office said the result would be that products that were legally manufactured, purchased, and distributed would no longer be eligible for installation.
By ensuring the regional standards’ date of compliance is in sync with the rest of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, Rep. Latta said, “… all products will be able to make their way through the supply and distribution chain without delay and still be available for sale and installation.”