News

California Energy Commission Considering New Appliance Efficiency Standards

March 28, 2013 by Jeff Shepard

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has released an “Invitation to Participate” to seek information from interested parties as it considers establishing minimum operating efficiency standards, test procedures, marking & labeling requirements, and other efficiency measures for the following appliance types: Consumer Electronics including computers, displays, game consoles, and set-top boxes. Lighting including fluorescent dimming ballasts, light-emitting diodes, and multifaceted reflector lamps. Docket #12-AAER-2B. And “Other Appliances” such as commercial clothes dryers, residential pool pumps & motors, and others.

The CEC is seeking a complete set of market data for each appliance type. This market data should cover every model available in California and include: brand name, model number, product sub-type, energy use performance metrics, product lifetime, retail price and annual shipments within California. This data will provide the CEC with a snapshot of the market for each appliance type identified in the invitation.

The commission will use this information to develop efficiency standards and measures. The Commission will conduct on-line meetings with interested parties to explain the process and the information sought during preliminary rulemaking activities during the period April 3-9. After the submission period for data has passed, the Commission will host workshops to discuss the merits of the information and will solicit proposals for new or updated efficiency standards and measures.