Press Release
HVACR Industry Coalition Supports Senator Ernst’s SMART Energy Efficiency Standards Act, S. 4892
July 7, 2026 | 3 minute read
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Madison Romero, Public Affairs Associate
Email: mromero@hardinet.org
Direct: 614.345.4328
HVACR Industry Coalition Supports Senator Ernst’s SMART Energy Efficiency Standards Act, S. 4892
Washington, DC — July 7, 2026 — A coalition of HVACR trade associations announced its support for Senator Joni Ernst’s introduction of the SMART Energy Efficiency Standards Act, S. 4892, legislation to change the compliance date for regional HVAC energy efficiency standards to the date of manufacture.
The coalition includes the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), the Air-Conditioning, Heating, & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI), the Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors—National Association (PHCC).
In its letter to Senator Ernst, the coalition wrote that S. 4892 would “amend the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 by changing the compliance date for regional energy efficiency standards for furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps to the date of manufacture,” reducing confusion and easing burdens on manufacturers, distributors, and contractors.
The letter explains that the current date-of-installation structure creates unnecessary disruption throughout the HVAC supply chain.
“Under current law, compliance with regional energy efficiency standards is based on the date equipment is installed rather than the date it is manufactured,” the coalition wrote. “This creates unnecessary complexity throughout the HVAC supply chain by effectively causing otherwise fully compliant equipment to expire after it has been legally manufactured, purchased, and distributed.”
By contrast, the coalition wrote that a date-of-manufacture standard “places compliance responsibility where it belongs—with the manufacturer—and ensures that every product entering the distribution chain complies with applicable Department of Energy requirements.”
The letter also notes that the bill would allow products already in the distribution pipeline to continue to be sold and installed, “preventing legally manufactured and purchased equipment from becoming stranded inventory.”
“America’s HVAC manufacturers, distributors, and contractors, who make, distribute, and install some of the most innovative and energy-efficient products in the world, appreciate your leadership in introducing this much-needed legislation,” the coalition wrote. “The SMART Energy Efficiency Standards Act will provide business certainty throughout the HVAC supply chain, reduce unnecessary costs and complexity, and ensure a more orderly transition to future energy efficiency standards.”
The coalition thanked Senator Ernst for her leadership and said it looks forward to working with her to advance S. 4892.
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About HARDI: https://hardinet.org/about/
About PHCC: https://www.phccweb.org/about/
About ACCA: https://www.acca.org/about-acca
About AHRI: https://www.ahrinet.org/about-ahri
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Madison Romero
Public Affairs Associate
Madison Romero is HARDI’s Public Affairs Associate, supporting the industry advocacy of the Government Affairs team through strategic writing, grassroots campaigns, and media outreach. She crafts messaging that connects HARDI’s advocacy goals with its members as well as broader HVACR industry audiences. Madison also contributes to developing content around industry events and external communications efforts across platforms.
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