March ’25 at-a-glance … energy

Update on DOE energy-conservation standards 

Following is the status of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy-conservation standards for three NAFEM member product categories: 

• Commercial refrigeration equipment (CRE): DOE delayed the effective date of CRE standards from Jan. 22 to May 20. The agency also seeks comments by March 28 on any further delays and legal, factual or policy issues raised by the rule. The compliance date for the new standards remains Jan. 22, 2029. NAFEM is working with impacted members to submit comments. NAFEM also sent a letter to Secretary of Energy Christopher Wright Feb. 10 requesting withdrawal of the standards since they were issued the day after President Trump’s Executive Order withdrawing any rules not published in the Federal Register until reviewed by a presidential designee.
• Walk-in Coolers/Freezers (WIC/F): DOE delayed the effective date of energy conservation standards for WIC/F from Feb. 21 to March 21 and sought comments on the impacts of the delay, plus any legal, factual or policy issues raised by the rule by March 13. Compliance dates of 2027 and 2028 have not changed.  
• Automatic Commercial Ice Makers (ACIM): NAFEM is attempting to contact DOE staff to determine the status of proposed standards for ACIM. Nothing has been communicated by DOE since comments were due July 2023.  

ENERGY STAR^® seeks input on electric cooktops 

DOE’s ENERGY STAR program is looking to expand its component inspection initiative to electric cooktops. Contact Charlie Souhrada for more information.