Computer Room Air Conditioners

As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “computer room air conditioners” means all units manufactured by one manufacturer within a single equipment class, having the same primary energy source (e.g., electric or gas), and which have the same or comparably performing compressor(s), heat exchangers, and air moving system(s) that have a common “nominal” cooling capacity. 10 CFR 431.92 Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for computer room air conditioners since 2012.

  • 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.

    Standards

    Final Rule
    • Federal Register, 88FR36217 (June 2, 2023)
    • 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.
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    Request for Information
    Notice of Data Availability

    The rulemaking docket EERE-2020-BT-STD-0008 for energy conservation standards for certain commercial heating, air conditioners, and water heating equipment (including computer room air conditioners) contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

    Public Meeting Information

    There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

    Submitting Public Comments

    Comment period is closed.

    Test Procedure

    Final Rule
    • Federal Register, 88FR21816 (April 11, 2023)
    • The effective date of this rule is May 11, 2023.
    • The final rule changes will be mandatory for CRAC equipment testing starting April 5, 2024.
    Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
    • Federal Register, 87FR6948 (February 7, 2022)

    The rulemaking docket EERE-2021-BT-TP-0017 for energy conservation standard and test procedures for certain commercial heating, air conditioners, and water heating equipment (including computer room air conditioners) contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.

    Public Meeting Information

    There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.

    Submitting Public Comments

    Comment period is closed.

  • Direct expansion-dedicated outdoor air systems 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(f). 

  • 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.

  • Compliance

    DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429.  These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement.  More information on these regulations is available here.

    Waivers

    For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage. 

    For information about obtaining test procedure waivers,see 10 CFR part 431, subpart V.

    Exceptions

    DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for computer room air conditioners.

    For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.

    Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions

    For information on further guidance and answers to frequently asked questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.

    State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption

    DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 431, subpart W.

  • For more information related to this product, please email:
    ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov