An agreement by heating and cooling equipment manufacturers, and energy efficiency and environmental advocates will have significant impact for decades to come on U.S. energy demand, fight against global warming

What:

America's heating and cooling manufacturers and the environmental community have reached an historic agreement to take effect in 2013 covering energy efficiency standards for furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps in each of three specific regions in the U.S. Despite their differing perspectives, these parties have forged an agreement – at a time of economic uncertainty and without government intervention – that will have significant, measurable benefits for consumers, businesses, and the environment.

Who:

• Keith Coursin, chairman, Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)
• Steven Nadel, executive director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE)
• Kateri Callahan, president, Alliance to Save Energy

Where & When:

First Amendment Lounge, National Press Club, Washington, D.C.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 – 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.

Media Contacts:

• Francis Dietz, AHRI (703) 600-0355; fdietz@ahrinet.org
• Glee Murray, ACEEE (202) 507-4010; gmurray@aceee.org
• Ronnie Kweller, Alliance (202) 530-2203; rkweller@ase.org

The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of air conditioning, heating and commercial refrigeration equipment. An internationally recognized advocate for the industry, AHRI develops standards for and certifies the performance of many of these products. AHRI’s nearly 300 member companies account for more than 90 percent of the residential and commercial air conditioning, space heating, water heating, and commercial refrigeration equipment manufactured and sold in North America. For more information, visit www.ahrinet.org.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection. ACEEE was founded in 1980 by leading researchers in the energy field. Projects are carried out by ACEEE staff and collaborators from government, the private sector, research institutions, and other nonprofit organizations. For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit www.aceee.org.

The Alliance to Save Energy is a coalition of prominent business, government, environmental, and consumer leaders who promote the efficient and clean use of energy worldwide to benefit consumers, the environment, the economy, and national security.