ASHRAE Signs MoU Agreement with DOE
As leaders in the commercial refrigeration industry, we like to stay on the forefront of all relevant trade news, especially updates regarding the new DOE 2020 regulations. At Heatcraft, we follow ASHRAE’s updates as they are an organization of esteemed HVACR engineers dedicated to energy efficient equipment and building codes. They work closely with the Department of Energy in establishing new protocols that can affect wholesalers, contractors, and end-users of commercial refrigeration equipment. In recent news, ASHRAE and the DOE signed an agreement that might be of interest to those in the trade.
ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, has signed a MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the DOE’s EERE (Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy) division to formalize their relationship and identify tangible goals.
Signed by ASHRAE President, Sheila J. Hayter, and the DOE’s Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Daniel R. Simmons, the MoU specifically defines how the two organizations will work together to promote mutual interests, achieve tangible goals, and promote energy efficiency and awareness.
The MoU was signed by both parties on May 22, 2019. Within the new MoU, the following goals were defined:
- Encouraging the use of advanced energy design
- Developing and implementing the safe use of next-generation refrigerants
- Encouraging the development of consensus-based, voluntary energy efficiency standards
- Promoting the adoption of economically justifiable energy efficiency measures in each succeeding version of Standard 90.1 (Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Building) to ensure cost savings and energy savings.
- Working within the building community and all other relative fields to ensure the interoperability of relevant software and integrated solutions.
- Collaborating to develop and implement use of clear and concise regulations and standards to provide clarity on building energy rating and labeling.
The Department of Energy and ASHRAE have signed the MoU with a directive to work cooperatively on:
- Improving the efficient use of energy
- Improving building resiliency
- Improving building performance
According to ASHRAE President, Sheila J. Hayter, “This MoU agreement represents valuable coordination of resources between ASHRAE and the Department of Energy which establishes a solid framework to facilitate advances within the built environment.” Daniel R. Simmons, Assistant Secretary of EERE, noted “We value the expertise of our stakeholders, including ASHRAE, and look forward to our continued collaboration together.”
Visit our DOE 2020 regulatory website often for more information on how the Department of Energy’s impending standards will impact different product lines within the commercial refrigeration equipment sector.
About ASHRAE and EERE
ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, was founded in 1984, and seeks to advance human well-being through sustainable technology. Through strategic partnerships with HVAC&R organizations and other communities, they hope to shape the built environment of tomorrow. To learn more about ASHRAE and their organization’s views, visit their LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube profiles.
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is a division within the United States’ Department of Energy, and was formed in 1973 after the energy crisis. Their mission is to develop clean, renewable and efficient energy technologies to support a clean energy economy. To learn more about their efforts, visit https://www.energy.gov/eere/office-energy-efficiency-renewable-energy.
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