How has DOE 2020 affected you?
Hey guys, it's been just about a year since the US DOE and NRCan 2020 walk-in cooler and freezer regulations went into full effect. Just curious if and how it has changed things for the commercial/light industrial guys.
Posted Jul 29, 2021, 2:24 AM UTC
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What are the regulations?
Energy efficiency requirements for doors, panels, condensing units and evaps for refrigerated storage spaces under 3000sqft.
Thank you, I do supermarkets but didn't know about these
The responsibility falls mostly on manufacturers, since it's just new equipment manufactured after the effective dates that needs to be compliant. However, manufacturers still make similar, but non compliant and often cheaper, products for spaces that do not fall under the regulations. Therefore, people who are purchasing equipment for regulated spaces need to know if the products have the appropriate AWEF rating.
That's because it's really of no concern to you.
Like myself, albeit part of a smaller sub-contracted outfit, it's not my place, or (at the end of the day) problem to be worried about.
Moreover, there's virtually no one going around ensuring compliance outside of the big-brand chain stores, be it Walmart, or whatever is local to you.. Not only that, but anything that's existing, is grandfathered in..
This regulation is entirely geared towards new installation that you're typically going to see from a ground-up. Even then, most (but not all) guys in the trade don't deal with erecting panels/doors from scratch.
Even guys setting up the box aren't concerned.. It's another wall going up, or door getting put in place... The foam is just a little more thick and the extra pound or two that they're dealing with goes completely unnoticed.
That said, this regulation is entirely geared towards the manufacturers and suppliers. Frankly, I don't see how the suppliers could be on the hook unless they're knowingly dealing with non-compliant materials. Even then, how is one to go about testing said material to ensure compliance?.. That's not to say it can't be done, but, at the end of the day it's on the manufacturer (I'd have to imagine)..
Anyways, this is a long-winded way of saying, "it doesn't". Who would have expected such a result from gov't regulation?
The responsibility of the seller has been a bit of a bear. AWEF and the targetting of high GWP gases often gets confused at the counter.
We've been told if an evaporator and condensing unit is being replaced. It's considered a new install. Not the box itself.
We're dealing with the Tecumseh Argus units for indoor units. The things are double the cost of the previous generation. The size on the chassis is out to lunch as'well. They even have an outdoor shroud around them. It's very confusing for our customers.
Service compressors for the current equipment are starting to run out and the manufacturers have crazy lead times. Trying to help you guys with a valid solution is getting harder and harder!