DOE has published a Federal Register final rule pertaining to energy conservation standards for computer room air conditioners (CRACs). The Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), prescribes standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment, including small, large, and very large commercial package air conditioning and heating equipment, of which computer room air conditioners (CRACs) are a category. EPCA requires DOE to consider the need for amended standards each time American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1 is amended with respect to the standard levels or design requirements applicable to that equipment, or periodically under a six-year-lookback review provision. In this final rule, DOE is adopting amended standards for CRACs that rely on a new efficiency metric and are equivalent to those levels specified in ASHRAE Standard 90.1- 2019. DOE has determined that it lacks the clear and convincing evidence required by the statute to adopt standards more stringent than the levels specified in the industry standard.

• The effective date of this rule is August 1, 2023. 
• Compliance with the amended standards established for computer room air conditioners in this final rule is required on and after May 28, 2024.

DOE has published a Federal Register final rule amending its test procedure for computer room air conditioners (CRACs). DOE is incorporating by reference the latest version of the relevant industry consensus test standard, AHRI 1360-2022. DOE is also adopting the net sensible coefficient of performance (NSenCOP) metric in its test procedures for CRACs. Additionally, DOE is amending certain provisions for representations and enforcement.

• The effective date of this rule is May 11, 2023.
• The final rule changes will be mandatory for CRAC equipment testing starting  starting April 5, 2024. 
• The incorporation by reference of certain materials listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register May 11, 2023.

For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.

Computer room air conditioners manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.97.

To determine that computer room air conditioners that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 431.96.