By developing the CEE Residential Central Air-conditioner and Air-source Heat Pump Initiative, a critical mass of CEE members provided a credible definition of efficiency when they adopted the CEE specification into their programs, and manufacturers have responded by increasing the efficiency of residential HVAC equipment over the past fifteen years.
In 1995, 10 percent of the market reached a SEER 12 rating. By 2002, 53 percent met the SEER 12 efficiency rating. Today, 100 percent of equipment exceeds SEER 13. Today's ENERGY STAR® level for HVAC equipment represents the most highly efficient equipment that was available in 1994. Keeping ahead of the market, CEE is continuing to advance efficiency by exploring the viability of even higher equipment performance, while considering other potential opportunities such as quality installation and connectivity.
Other industries have found it beneficial to work with CEE in order to understand program needs, and CEE earns their trust.
- CEE is a voluntary organization. Members are not required to adopt or endorse anything.
- CEE is member-driven. Our strength is in the collective experience and insight of our members.
- CEE develops national program platforms for member efficiency programs, such as consistent specifications of high efficiency, consensus comments to ENERGY STAR® on program needs, and collaboration with relevant industries.
This laser focus on serving program administrator needs produces initiatives that form the basis for many efficiency programs and that transform markets. Follow along below to see how the CEE Residential HVAC Initiative achieved success by adhering to these principles.
