Congress passes bill to create uniform water heater energy
efficiency ratings, testing methodology; measure goes to president
MILWAUKEE, Dec. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Congress has passed
legislation establishing a uniform energy efficiency descriptor
that applies to all residential water heaters sold in the U.
S. The measure now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.
The bill, also known as the American Energy Manufacturing
Technical Corrections Act (H. R. 6582) was passed unanimously in
the Senate yesterday. The legislation was approved
overwhelmingly by a 398-2 vote earlier this week in the House of
Representatives.
In addition to applying a consistent rating system for all water
heaters, the bill will require the Department of Energy to develop
a test method to accurately determine the descriptor for all types
of water heaters including new advanced technologies introduced
over the last several years.
"Passage of this legislation will help reduce the confusion that
consumers face when attempting to determine the energy efficiency
of the water heater they intend to purchase," Paul W. Jones, chairman and chief executive
officer of A. O. Smith Corporation, commented. "Once the bill
becomes law, consumers will be able to make more informed decisions
by comparing the efficiency of the entire range of water heaters
that are on the market. It will make it easier for them to
obtain available incentives that are based on an appliance's energy
efficiency."
"It's also important to understand this legislation supports our
national clean energy goals by promoting the use of high efficiency
water heaters that reduce energy consumption and therefore reduce
greenhouse gas emissions," Jones continued.
A. O. Smith was a member of a
coalition of affected industry representatives, leading energy
advocate groups, and the National Association of Manufacturers
(NAM) that worked with members of Congress on the legislation.
A bipartisan group of senators and representatives were
instrumental in securing passage of the legislation.
Senators Herb Kohl (D-WI) and
Bob Corker (R-TN) were sponsors of
the original Senate bill that became the basis for the final
legislation. Supporting the measure were Senators
Ron Johnson (R-WI), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
In the House, Representatives Jim
Cooper (D-TN) and Marsha
Blackburn (R-TN) co-authored the original bill that was
incorporated, in its entirety, into the final version of the H. R.
6582 legislation.
Representative Phil Roe (R-TN)
was a co-sponsor of H. R. 6582 along with Representative
Ron Kind (D-WI). Blackburn and
Roe both spoke on the floor of the House in support of the
bill.
Representatives Diane Black
(R-TN) and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) also
were supporters of the bill.
The uniform energy efficiency descriptor replaces a standard
that is more than 20 years old that created two sets of energy
efficiency measures for water heaters. When the original
standards were put in place, smaller water heaters were rated using
an "energy factor," while larger units were rated based on "thermal
efficiency."
Adding to the confusion, each of the two ratings required its
own testing methodology, and manufacturers were not allowed to
substitute ratings on different water heater models. Advances
in water heater technology and improved efficiency testing methods
combined to make the older standard obsolete.
SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation