AGA Files Comments Objecting to the ASHRAE Proposals to Modify the Scope of the ASHRAE 90.1 Standard that Would Add Provisions to Include Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and the Installation of Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE) Requirements.
Today, AGA filed the attached two comments objecting to the ASHRAE proposals to modify the Scope of the ASHRAE 90.1 Standard that would add provisions to include criteria for greenhouse gas emissions and a second change that could require the installation of electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) as part of the compliance to the 90.1 standard. As previously reported, ASHRAE issued a 30-Day Public Review Period from October 11, 2024 to November 10, 2024 to modify the Scope of the ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2022, Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings to add 1. Addendum aa that modifies the purpose and scope of the Standard to establish requirements and set criteria for considering building and site operational Green House Gas (GHG) emissions and 2. Addendum ap that modifies the scope of the Standard to cover the installation of electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) or EV Requirements.
For your ready reference, below is information to access both Addendum aa and ap.
Addendum aa modifies the purpose and scope of the Standard to establish requirements and set criteria for considering building and site operational Green House Gas (GHG) emissions
Addendum ap modifies the scope of the Standard to cover the installation of electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) or EV Requirements.
The AGA comments raises serious concerns that the requirements in both Addendum, would conflict with the stated Purpose of the ASHRAE 90.1 which is to “ To establish the minimum energy efficiency requirements of buildings….” and its Scope, “This standard provides “minimum energy-efficient requirements for the design and construction…” Adding GHG and EVSE requirements for compliance that do not address minimum energy efficiency requirements of the built environment would conflict with the Purpose and Scope of the ASHRAE 90.1 commercial building standard. ASHRAE 90.1 is cited in federal law for state adoption upon edition updates that occur every three years. The attached AGA response also includes raises the legality of the proposed scope changes and specifically the organization ASHRAE’s role in developing modifications to the ASHRAE 90.1 standard that we cite as being biased against natural gas applications.
Finally, a special thanks to the BECS committee members who responded to our November 1st request for feedback on the draft comments with suggested revisions and additions many of which were in included in today’s AGA filings.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions and this issue and we will provide updates on the ASHRAE 90.1 committee response when issued.
AHRI Releases the September, 2024 Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data.
For those interested in shipment trends for residential and commercial gas and electric storage type water heaters, residential gas and oil furnaces, electric heat pumps and air-conditioners, click here for the November 8, 2024 Air-Conditioning Heating, & Refrigeration (AHRI) Press Release that provides the September, 2024 U.S. Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipment Data. For previous monthly shipment releases and historical data, please click here . You may also wish to share this information with other groups or individuals within your organization that would be interested in this shipment data.