II 112th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 920 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES May 9, 2011 Mr. Blunt (for himself, Ms. Stabenow, and Mrs. McCaskill) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources A BILL To create clean energy jobs and set efficiency standards for small-duct high-velocity air conditioning and heat pump systems, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the SDHV Energy Efficiency Standards for America Act of 2011.

2.

Findings

Congress makes the following findings: (1)The Department of Energy grouped small-duct high-velocity systems with all air conditioners and heat pumps in a final rule published on January 22, 2001. (2)The Department of Energy subsequently published and established the minimum efficiency standard for small-duct high-velocity systems and informed all manufacturers of these products to request exception relief in order to legally sell these products in the United States.

3.

Standards for small-duct high-velocity air conditioning and heat pump systems

(a)

Standards

Section 325(d) of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6295(d)) is amended— (1)in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the following: (C)Small-duct high-velocity systems: 11.00 for products manufactured on or after January 23, 2006. ; and (2)in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following: (C)Small-duct high-velocity systems: 6.8 for products manufactured on or after January 23, 2006. . (b)

Definition

Section 321 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6291) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph: (67)

Small-duct, high velocity system

The term small-duct, high-velocity system means a heating and cooling product that contains a blower and indoor coil combination that— (A)is designed for, and produces, at least 1.2 inches of external static pressure when operated at the certified air volume rate of 220–350 cubic feet per minute per rated ton of cooling; and (B)when applied in the field, uses high velocity room outlets generally greater than 1,000 feet per minute that have less than 6.0 square inches of free area. . (c)

Amendment of standards

(1)

In general

The Secretary may, by rule, amend the standards established for small-duct high-velocity air conditioning and heat pump systems under the amendments made by this section. (2)

Effective date

Standards as amended pursuant to paragraph (1) shall not take effect less than 5 years after the final rule making the amendment is published. (3)

Determination

Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall publish a final rule to determine whether standards for small-duct, high-velocity systems should be amended.