Americans in the Dark on New Energy Regulation for Air Conditioners, Survey Reveals; Emerson's ``Get SEERious'' campaign educates consumers on government mandate and technologies to improve home energy efficiency.ST. LOUIS -- With fuel and utility costs on the rise, energy efficiency is every American's business this summer. But a new national survey released today reveals that 90 percent of homeowners do not know the efficiency rating of their central air conditioning air conditioning, mechanical process for controlling the humidity, temperature, cleanliness, and circulation of air in buildings and rooms. Indoor air is conditioned and regulated to maintain the temperature-humidity ratio that is most comfortable and healthful. system and are unaware that new air conditioners Conditioners used on leather take many shapes and forms. They are used mostly to keep leather from drying out and deteriorating. A very old and widely used conditioner is dubbin. soon must meet a higher minimum federal efficiency standard. Fifty-five percent of these homeowners say they are concerned that they had not heard of this new mandate. The 2005 Home Air Conditioning Test, commissioned by Emerson (NYSE NYSE See: New York Stock Exchange :EMR (ElectroMagnetic Radiation) The emanation of energy from everything in the universe. Although the EMR from electrical and electronic devices is typically measured for practical, every-day situations, every object, including humans, emanates energy. ), also finds that 80 percent of all homeowners say there is a need for more consumer education on the upcoming change to the U.S. Department of Energy's "Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio The efficiency of air conditioners are often rated by theSeasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). The higher the SEER rating of a unit, the more energy efficient it is. The SEER rating is the Btu of cooling output during a typical cooling-season divided by the total electric energy ," or SEER rating. An air conditioner's SEER rating is determined by its total cooling output divided by its total energy consumption. More simply, SEER is akin to the miles-per-gallon rating for automobiles: the more efficient the air conditioning equipment, the higher the SEER rating and the less it costs to operate. All central air conditioners manufactured in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. after January 23, 2006 must meet the new federal minimum 13 SEER rating, a 30 percent increase from the current minimum standard. In response to the survey's findings, Emerson is launching "Get SEERious," a communications program Software that manages the transmission of data between computers, typically via modem and the serial port. Such programs were very popular for connecting to BBSs before the Internet took off. to increase understanding of SEER and raise awareness of the opportunity for consumers to improve home energy efficiency through technology. "The lack of awareness of the SEER standard change is startling star·tle v. star·tled, star·tling, star·tles v.tr. 1. To cause to make a quick involuntary movement or start. 2. To alarm, frighten, or surprise suddenly. See Synonyms at frighten. when contrasted with the fact that 98 percent of homeowners rank lower operating costs operating costs npl → gastos mpl operacionales and utility bills as important when shopping for a new central air conditioner conditioner, n 1. an additive substance used to increase the effectiveness of another substance. 2. a substance added to enamel that improves a sealant's ability to adhere. ," said William G. Sutton, president of the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration refrigeration, process for drawing heat from substances to lower their temperature, often for purposes of preservation. Refrigeration in its modern, portable form also depends on insulating materials that are thin yet effective. Institute. "This survey shows that consumers crave more education on this issue." Educating the public on the SEER rating system is an ongoing challenge for the heating, ventilation ventilation, process of supplying fresh air to an enclosed space and removing from it air contaminated by odors, gases, or smoke. Proper ventilation requires also that there be a movement or circulation of the air within the space and that the temperature and and cooling (HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) In the home or small office with a handful of computers, HVAC is more for human comfort than the machines. In large datacenters, a humidity-free room with a steady, cool temperature is essential for the trouble-free ) industry and a priority for Emerson, the world's leading manufacturer of cutting-edge air conditioning technologies. Emerson, which makes the energy-efficient scroll compressor A scroll compressor, also known as scroll pump and scroll vacuum pump, uses two interleaved spiral-like vanes to pump or compress fluids such as liquids and gases. The vane geometry may be involute, archimedean spiral, or hybrid curves. technology used in U.S. air conditioning systems, has been working closely with manufacturers that are redesigning product lines to meet the higher efficiency standard by January. Emerson also is working with HVAC contractors to spread the word about SEER and home energy efficiency. "This survey echoes what contractors are hearing when we talk with our customers," said Paul T. Stalknecht, president and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. , Air Conditioning Contractors of America The Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) is the largest HVAC contractor organization in the USA. Its headquarters is at 2800 Shirlington Road, Suite 300 • Arlington, VA 22206. . "We're glad that Emerson is helping draw public attention to the 13 SEER transition and helping us to educate our customers." Earlier this year, Emerson unveiled the latest upgrades for its industry-leading Copeland Scroll compressors. The compressor compressor, machine that decreases the volume of air or other gas by the application of pressure. Compressor types range from the simple hand pump and the piston-equipped compressor used to inflate tires to machines that use a rotating, bladed element to achieve is the "engine" that pumps refrigerant re·frig·er·ant adj. 1. Cooling or freezing; refrigerating. 2. Reducing fever. n. 1. A substance, such as air, ammonia, water, or carbon dioxide, used to provide cooling either as the working substance of through the air conditioning system. The new Copeland Scroll compressor - which has nine new patents pending and was recognized with an innovation award at the HVAC industry's leading trade show earlier this year - is designed to help manufacturers meet and exceed the 13 SEER standard. Its new design increases efficiency, further reduces operating sound, and is up to 30 percent lighter and smaller than the prior version. "High energy prices and the new SEER regulation present an opportunity for Americans to get serious about becoming smarter energy consumers," said Tom Bettcher, leader of Emerson Climate Technologies, a business of Emerson. "This is an opportunity for Emerson and our industry to help homeowners understand the benefits of 13 SEER and higher-efficiency air conditioners, and raise awareness of the technologies that enable more energy efficient systems." Emerson's "Get SEERious" program is designed to increase homeowners' knowledge of SEER and to help better prepare contractors to discuss the upcoming 13 SEER transition with homeowners. Emerson's 2005 Home Air Conditioning Test is the second survey of Americans' knowledge of air conditioner efficiency and technology. The inaugural survey last year found that 77 percent of homeowners said they had never heard of the term "SEER rating." Some mistakenly mis·tak·en v. Past participle of mistake. adj. 1. Wrong or incorrect in opinion, understanding, or perception. 2. Based on error; wrong: a mistaken view of the situation. associated the term with "cooking intensity," "weather condition" and even "fortune telling." A summary of key findings from the Emerson homeowner survey is included below. For additional information on central air conditioning, energy saving tips, and related topics, visit www.GetSEERious.com 2005 Emerson Home Air Conditioning Test Summary of Survey Findings In January 2006, the federal-mandated minimum efficiency standard for new central air conditioners made in the United States will be raised 30 percent - from 10 to 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). Emerson and its Emerson Climate Technologies business have launched the "Get SEERious" communications program to help increase understanding of SEER and raise awareness of the opportunity for consumers to improve home energy efficiency through air conditioning and related technology. Emerson, the world's leading manufacturer of cutting-edge air conditioning technologies, commissioned the 2005 Home Air Conditioning Test to determine homeowners' awareness of this new mandate and of their own central air conditioner's efficiency rating. Following are key findings from the survey: An overwhelming majority of Americans are unaware of the new government regulation that requires a minimum 13 SEER rating for central air conditioners made after January 2006. --90 percent of homeowners with central air conditioning had not heard of this new rule. --A majority of these homeowners (55 percent) expressed concern that they had not heard of this new mandate. --80 percent of homeowners with central air conditioning say there is a need for more consumer information on this issue. Few homeowners know the efficiency rating for their current central air conditioner. --Only one out of 10 homeowners claimed to know the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER rating) for their home's existing central air conditioner. Americans rank lower energy costs, high reliability, improved air quality and consistent temperature and humidity control Humidity control Regulation of the degree of saturation (relative humidity) or quantity (absolute humidity) of water vapor in a mixture of air and water vapor. Humidity is commonly mistaken as a quality of air. as top features when buying a new air conditioner. --When it comes to the most important feature in choosing a new air conditioner, 88 percent of homeowners say lowering their energy costs is "very important." --High reliability (86 percent), improved air quality (71 percent) and consistent temperature and humidity control (74 percent) are also ranked as "very important." --Quieter operating sound is ranked by 56 percent as "very important." A majority of homeowners recognize which part of their air conditioner uses most electricity. --56 percent of homeowners with central air conditioning correctly identified the compressor as the biggest user of electricity in a central air conditioner. The compressor accounts for approximately 80 percent of the energy used by a central air conditioner. 2005 Emerson survey reconfirms low public awareness of SEER rating system. In a prior 2004 survey of homeowners, Emerson found homeowner awareness of the "SEER rating" is very low. Among the findings from the 2004 survey: --77 percent of homeowners with central air conditioning said they had never heard of the term "SEER rating." --Some mistakenly associated "SEER rating" with "cooking intensity," "weather condition," and even "fortune telling." RESEARCH METHODS The 2005 Home Air Conditioning Test was commissioned by Emerson and conducted by Opinion Research Corporation between March 18-21, 2005. A total of 501 telephone interviews were conducted with a national sample of adults, 18 years of age and older, who own their homes and have central air conditioning. The results are weighted to reflect the actual distribution of the adult population with regard to age, gender, race and geographic area. The sampling error associated with this research is no more than plus or minus five percentage points. About Emerson and Emerson Climate Technologies Emerson (NYSE:EMR), based in St. Louis, is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions to customers through its network power, process management, industrial automation, climate technologies, and appliance and tools businesses. Sales in fiscal 2004 were $15.6 billion. For more information, visit www.GoToEmerson.com. Emerson Climate Technologies(TM), a business of Emerson, is the world's leading provider of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration solutions for residential, industrial and commercial applications. The group combines best-in-class technology with proven engineering, design, distribution, educational and monitoring services The general surveillance of known air traffic movements by reference to a radar scope presentation or other means, for the purpose of passing advisory information concerning conflicting traffic or providing navigational assistance. to provide customized, integrated climate control solutions for customers worldwide. Emerson Climate Technologies' innovative solutions, which include industry-leading brands such as Copeland Scroll To continuously move forward, backward or sideways through the text and images on screen or within a window. Scrolling implies continuous and smooth movement, a line, character or pixel at a time, as if the data were on a paper scroll being rolled behind the screen. See auto scroll. (TM) and White-Rodgers(R), improve human comfort, safeguard food and protect the environment. For more information, visit www.emersonclimate.com. Get SEERious is a communications program of Emerson Climate Technologies. For more information, visit www.GetSEERious.com. About Opinion Research Corporation Founded in 1938, Opinion Research Corporation provides commercial market research, health and demographic research for government agencies, information services See Information Systems. , teleservices, and consulting. The company is a pioneering leader in the science of market and social research, and has built a worldwide data-collection network. |
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