Efficiency Standards for Commercial and Industrial Pumps Proposed

The DOE has published a proposal to create energy efficiency standards for both commercial and industrial clean water pumps ranging in size from 1-200 horsepower. There are currently no efficiency standards for the pumps, which are commonly used in sectors such as commercial building systems, manufacturing, and agriculture.

According to the DOE, the combined energy usage of pumps accounts for around 0.6% of the electricity consumed in the U.S. The proposed standard, which would be effective from 2020-2049, would save around $1.1 billion in energy over the 30-year timeline for the rule and would apply to any equipment manufactured in or imported into the U.S. four years after the final rule goes into effect, which is expected by the end of 2015.

The new efficiency standards are designed to create quick payback periods from 0.8-4.2 years, which is significantly less than the average pump lifetime of around 15 years.