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ARI Urges Members To Support Replacement Of CFC Chillers
Congressman Peter Hoekstra (R-MI), an active member of the Congressional Manufacturing
Caucus, has re-introduced H.R. 1241, the “Cool and Efficient Buildings
Act,” to set the depreciation period from 39 to 20 years for “any
property which is part of a heating, ventilation, air conditioning, or commercial
refrigeration system and which is installed on or in a building which is non
residential real property.”
The legislation would provide an incentive
for the replacement of the more than 36,000 chillers still in use in 2004 that
use chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) refrigerants.
“This represents 45 percent of the original 80,000 CFC chillers banned
from production in the United States,” said Hoekstra. “Improved
new chiller units are 40 percent more efficient than those installed 20 years
ago,
are virtually leak-free, reducing loss of refrigerant and improving the protection
to human health and the environment.”
“ARI strongly urges its members to support he Cool and Efficient Buildings
Act,” said William G. Sutton, president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
Institute. “A depreciation schedule that reflects the useful life of
chillers and other equipment will save money, reduce energy consumption and
encourage
investment in more efficient models.”
A wide range of non-residential buildings would qualify for the new depreciation
rate including offices, malls, airports and factories where HVACR equipment,
from large tonnage liquid chillers to unitary air conditioners and heat pumps,
plays a key role in increased productivity and makes possible use of heat sensitive
computers and telecommunications gear.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), installing more efficient
chillers could reduce energy consumption by 7 billion kilowatt hours per year,
saving $480 million annually and avoiding emissions of 4 million tons of carbon
dioxide. The electricity saved would be enough to provide for the average annual
electrical needs of approximately 740,000 American households.
Hoekstra has already garnered support of 25 co-sponsors, including bipartisan
members of the House Committee on Ways and Means. To become a co-sponsor of
the bill, or for more information contact Hoekstra’s office at john.mcdonald@mail.house.gov.
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