On November 9, 2017, the Commission published proposed rule changes containing scheduled, routine updates to the comparability ranges, and unit energy cost figures on EnergyGuide labels for dishwashers, furnaces, room air conditioners, and pool heaters. The Commission also proposed to set a compliance date for EnergyGuide labels on room air conditioner boxes. The comment period closed on December 4, 2017. On February 22, 2018, the Commission published final rule amendments that update ranges of comparability and unit energy cost figures on EnergyGuide labels for dishwashers, furnaces, room air conditioners, and pool heaters. 83 FR 7593 (Feb. 22, 2018). The effective date is May 23, 2018. The Commission also set a compliance date of October 1, 2019, for EnergyGuide labels on room air conditioner boxes and made several minor clarifications and corrections to the rule.

On October 30, 2019, the Commission issued a final rule that made nonsubstantive amendments to improve the rule’s usability. 84 FR 58026 (Oct. 30, 2019). The amendments organized the rule’s product descriptions to make it easier for stakeholders to identify relevant covered products, particularly for categories (such as lighting) that contain several different product types and exemptions. Next, the amendments divided the rule’s primary labeling provision into several sections to make it easier to identify the labeling requirements for specific products. Finally, the changes removed obsolete, unneeded references to products manufactured and sold decades ago. The final rule was effective on November 29, 2019.  

On April 10, 2020, the Commission issued a notice seeking comments on proposed amendments that would establish EnergyGuide labels for portable air conditioners. 85 FR 20218 (April 10, 2020). The proposed amendments also sought comment on changes to energy efficiency descriptors for central air conditioners to conform to upcoming DOE changes. The comment period will close on June 9, 2020.