2024-22081. Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Air-Cooled Commercial Package Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Table II.1—Energy Conservation Standards for ACUACs and ACUHPs

[Compliance Starting January 1, 2029]

Cooling capacity	Subcategory	Supplementary heating type	Minimum efficiency
≥65,000 Btu/h and <135,000 Btu/h	AC	Electric Resistance Heating or No Heating All Other Types of Heating	IVEC = 14.3 IVEC = 13.8
	HP	All Types of Heating	IVEC = 13.4 IVHE = 6.2
≥135,000 Btu/h and <240,000 Btu/h	AC	Electric Resistance Heating or No Heating All Other Types of Heating	IVEC = 13.8 IVEC = 13.3
	HP	All Types of Heating	IVEC = 13.1 IVHE = 6.0
≥240,000 Btu/h and <760,000 Btu/h	AC	Electric Resistance Heating or No Heating All Other Types of Heating	IVEC = 12.9 IVEC = 12.2
	HP	All Types of Heating	IVEC = 12.1 IVHE = 5.8

As required by EPCA, DOE also simultaneously published a NOPR proposing the identical standard levels contained in the May 2024 Direct Final Rule. 89 FR 43770 (May 20, 2024). DOE considered whether any adverse ( print page 79377) comment received during the 110-day comment period following the publication of the May 2024 Direct Final Rule provided a reasonable basis for withdrawal of the direct final rule under the provisions in 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4)(C) and 42 U.S.C. 6316(b)(1).

III. Comments on the Direct Final Rule

As discussed in section I of this document, not later than 120 days after publication of a direct final rule, DOE shall withdraw the direct final rule if: (1) DOE receives one or more adverse public comments relating to the direct final rule or any alternative joint recommendation; and (2) based on the rulemaking record relating to the direct final rule, DOE determines that such adverse public comments or alternative joint recommendation may provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule. (42 U.S.C. 6316(b)(1); 42 U.S.C. 6295(p)(4)(C)(i))

DOE received comments in response to the May 2024 Direct Final Rule from the interested parties listed in table III.1.

Table III.1—List of Commenters With Written Submissions in Response to the May 2024 Direct Final Rule

Commenter(s)	Abbreviation	Comment No. in the docket	Commenter type
Julian Anderson	Anderson	102	Individual.
Anonymous	Anonymous	103	Individual.
Appliance Standards Awareness Project, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance	ASAP, ACEEE, and NEEA	106	Efficiency Advocacy Organizations.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), and Southern California Edison (SCE) (collectively referred to as the California Investor-Owned Utilities)	CA IOUs	104 * and 105	Utilities.
* The CA IOUs submitted a duplicate comment in response to the NOPR that accompanied the direct final rule. Therefore, both comment submissions are included in this table.