You are here

Home » Appliance & Equipment Standards » Rulemakings & Notices » Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee

Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee

The Appliance and Equipment Standards Program established the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC) in an effort to further improve the Department of Energy's (DOE) process of establishing energy efficiency standards for certain appliances and commercial equipment. ASRAC will allow DOE to use negotiated rulemaking as a means to engage all interested parties, gather data, and attempt to reach consensus on establishing energy efficiency standards. Rules drafted by negotiation may be more pragmatic and implemented at earlier dates than under a more traditional rulemaking process. To learn more about ASRAC's purpose and formation, please read the Committee's charter. To access the docket for ASRAC and all public files related to ASRAC, click here: EERE-2013-BT-NOC-0005.

The Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee was created as a discretionary advisory committee to provide advice and recommendations related to:

  • Development of minimum efficiency standards for appliances and equipment;
  • Development of product test procedures;
  • Certification and enforcement of standards,
  • Labeling for various appliances and equipment; and
  • Specific issues of concern to the Energy Department as requested by the Secretary of Energy, the Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, and the Building Technologies Office.
Committee Meetings 

ASRAC is expected to meet twice per year, but may meet more often, as needed. It is expected that working groups or subcommittees for specific residential appliances or commercial equipment will meet more frequently. Meetings will be open to the public and will be announced in the Federal Register no later than 15 calendar days before the meetings, in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Members of the public interested in attending meetings are required to email there full name, affiliation, and there citizenship to asrac@ee.doe.gov. If meetings are held in a DOE facility, non-US citizens will have to submit additional information well in advance, so early notification of DOE is essential.

Federal Register Notices Regarding ASRAC Meetings

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with the committee are included in Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-NOC-0005. 

Working Groups

 

Circulator Pumps Working Group

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket No. EERE-2016-BT-STD-0004.  Public meeting dates and information will be located on the Circulator Pumps rulemaking webpage. 

Dedicated Pool Pumps Working Group

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0008.  Public meeting dates and information are located on the Pool Pumps rulemaking webpage.

Walk-in Coolers and Freezers Working Group

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in the Docket No. EERE-2015-BT-STD-0016.  Public meeting dates and information are located on the Walk-in Coolers and Freezers rulemaking webpage.

Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Working Group

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in the Docket No. EERE-2014-BT-STD-0048. Public meeting dates and information are located on the Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps rulemaking webpage. 

MISCELLANEOUS REFRIGERATION PRODUCTS WORKING GROUP

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket No. EERE-2011-BT-STD-0043. Public meeting dates and information are located on the Miscellaneous Refrigeration Products rulemaking webpage.

FANS AND BLOWERS WORKING GROUP

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-STD-0006.  Public meeting dates and information are located on the Fans and Blowers rulemaking webpage.

COMMERCIAL PACKAGE AIR CONDITIONERS AND HEAT PUMPS AND COMMERCIAL WARM AIR FURNACES WORKING GROUP

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket Nos. EERE-2013-BT-STD-0007 and EERE-2013-BT-STD-0021. Public meeting dates and information are located on the Commercial Package Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps and Commercial Warm Air Furnaces rulemaking webpages. 

Regional Standards Enforcement Working Group

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket No. EERE-2011-BT-CE-0077. Public meeting dates and information are loacted on the Enforcement of Regional Standards for Residential Furnaces, Central Air Conditioners, and Heat Pumps rulemaking webpage. 

Manufactured Housing Working Group

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket No. EERE-2009-BT-BC-0021. Public meeting dates and information are located on the Manufactured Housing rulemaking webpage.

Commercial/Industrial Pumps Working Group

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-NOC-0039. Public meeting dates and information are located on the Commerical and Industrial Pumps rulemamking website. 

Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning, Water Heating, and Refrigeration Certification Working Group

All notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents associated with this working group are included in Docket No. EERE-2013-BT-NOC-0023. Public meeting dates and information are located on the Commercial Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning, Water Heating, and Refrigeration Certification rulemaking webpage. 

ASRAC Members

Currently, 13 Committee members have been appointed with staggered term limits to ensure continuity in the functioning of the Committee. As reflected in the charter, Committee members shall be experts in their respective fields including, but not limited to: energy efficiency and appliance and commercial equipment standards; or as representatives of industry (including manufacturers and trade associations representing manufacturers, component manufacturers and related suppliers, and retailers), utilities, energy efficiency/environmental advocacy groups and consumers. At least one Energy Department employee will be appointed to the Committee to represent the interests of the Department.

•    Co-Chair - Mr. John Caskey; National Electrical Manufacturers Association
•    Co-Chair - Mr. Andrew deLaski; Appliance Standards Awareness Project
•    Ms. Ashley Armstrong; U.S. Department of Energy
•    Ms. Jennifer Cleary; Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
•    Mr. Mark Connelly, Consumer Reports
•    Mr. Thomas Eckman; Northwest Power and Conservation Council
•    Mr. Charles Hon; True Manufacturing Company
•    Dr. David Hungerford; California Energy Commission
•    Dr. Diane Jakobs; Rheem Manufacturing Company
•    Mr. Patrick Keal; Big Ass Solutions
•    Ms. Kelley Kline; General Electric, Appliances
•    Ms. Deborah Miller; National Association of State Energy Officials
•    Mr. Michael Wolf; Greenheck Fan Corporation

 

Contact Information

For more information concerning the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee, please email: asrac@ee.doe.gov. Sign-up to receive email updates regarding ASRAC.