By David Lis | Wed, January 18, 2017
Are you looking for something to warm your bones in the middle of another chilly winter season? I’ve got just the thing for you - cold climate air-source heat pumps (ASHPs)!
Thanks to collaborative contributions from stakeholders across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, a newly-published NEEP report titled Northeast/Mid-Atlantic Air-Source Heat Pumps Market Strategies Report 2016 Update presents…
By David Lis | Tue, May 5, 2015
The time is now to voice support for strong minimum efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces and boilers (both gas and oil). With gas pipeline constraints and the need to meet future natural gas supply needs on the minds of many policy makers, the Department of Energy is in the late stages of rulemaking processes to update minimum efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces and…
By David Lis | Tue, October 14, 2014
Regional efficiency stakeholders have a lot riding on the outcomes of several important federal appliance standards rulemakings in the fourth quarter of 2014, including proposal stages for residential gas furnaces, residential boilers (gas and oil) and commercial package air conditioner/heat pumps —commonly referred to as roof-top units.
Each of these product categories offer the region…
By David Lis | Tue, May 20, 2014
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the completion of two significant rulemakings that establish strong new minimum efficiency standards for electric motors and walk-in coolers and freezers. The two new standards will significantly reduce energy waste, save money and cut pollution. These and other product categories for which DOE has proposed standards mark an…
By David Lis | Mon, February 17, 2014
Hint: efficiency standards! 2014 is shaping up to be an active year at the Department of Energy (DOE) when it comes to federal appliance efficiency standards. According to their own agenda, DOE plans to conduct rule-making activity to develop new or revise existing efficiency standards for over a dozen products “covered” by the Department.
Adding to the urgency at the Department is President…
By David Lis | Fri, September 13, 2013
Following several exciting actions coming out of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Appliance Standards Program this spring (see our July 22 Blog), there was concern amongst stakeholders that the momentum would be short lived.
Attorneys General from across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic collectively exclaimed, “Not a chance.”
A Metal Halide Lamp Fixture.
Attorneys general from Maine to…
By David Lis | Mon, July 22, 2013
Following a long period of frustration for advocates of appliance energy efficiency standards, a series of recent activities at the federal level are cause for cautious optimism.
Over the past two years, efficiency advocates became discouraged by the regulatory logjam that had accumulated at the federal regulatory review agency, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). A backlog of…
By David Lis | Wed, May 29, 2013
How many of you have heard claims that sounded something like these: “Appliance efficiency standards stand in the way of product innovation. Energy efficient appliances simply don’t work as well. Standards drive up the prices for appliances.” Each claim above, and many more, has been voiced repeatedly by challengers of appliance efficiency standards. Without the data and analysis to refute…