WASHINGTON, DC - The US Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced it would seek a 12/12 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standard for central air conditioners and heat pumps. DOE officials said consumers would recoup the cost of the more efficient units in less than 10 years. "At a time when we are all concerned about meeting our demand for electricity, our new proposed standard will provide a 20% increase energy savings and help to dramatically reduce electricity demand during peak periods," said US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham.

Under the Clinton administration, the DOE had proposed a 13/13 SEER standard. However, the Bush administration opposed the higher standard, saying that paying for the higher efficiency units would put too great a burden on low-income homeowners.

Despite the lower requirements implemented by the Bush administration, some suppliers are voluntarily holding themselves to the 13 SEER standard in an effort to promote energy savings and cleaner air. In Houston, for instance, a city ranked by the American Lung Association as the worst in the US for ozone pollution, Goodman Manufacturing Co. announced that it would continue manufacturing the higher-efficiency air conditioners and other appliances despite the 12 SEER Federal mandate. "Goodman will continue to work toward heightening standards with other environmental advocates ¿regardless of the rollback," said company chairman John Goodman.

Committing to installing the higher-efficiency units made by Goodman is Houston-based builder Emerald Homes. "If the technology to keep the nation's air clean and consumer energy bills low is available in the midst of the worst energy problems in two decades, Emerald Homes is going to use it," said Kim McDaniel, Emerald's vice president of marketing.