Advocacy Position
AMCA International strongly supports the adoption of Fan Energy Index (FEI) in place of Fan Efficiency Grade (FEG) in U.S. codes, standards, and regulations. The latest editions of the U.S. model energy codes and standards have already made the transition to FEI, and it will be implemented as they are adopted. For jurisdictions that adopt earlier editions of model codes, AMCA requests that they replace FEG provisions with FEI provisions, as Florida did with its 2019 energy code.
We have prepared templates for making these changes, with permission from ASHRAE and ICC. AMCA recommends that AMCA-certified FEI ratings be specified whenever possible. An AMCA Advocacy Brief provides further details on why and how to transition from FEG to FEI. Templates for making changes to energy codes based on ASHRAE 90.1 and IECC are provided below.
Standards and Codes
ANSI/AMCA Standard 208-18, Calculating Fan Energy Index
ANSI/AMCA Standard 207-17, Fan System Efficiency and Fan System Input Power Calculation
ANSI/ASHRAE/IES 90.1: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rose Residential Buildings
2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
Appliance and Equipment Standards Program - Buildings
Regulations
U.S. Department of Energy
In 2011, the U.S. Department of Energy began a rulemaking process with the intent to develop test/labeling and energy-efficiency standards for commercial and industrial fans, an initiative that was put on hold in 2017. Useful materials from the initiative are the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee Term Sheet, which documents consensus-voted recommendations toward the development of regulations, and the third Notice of Data Availability, a provisional analysis of economic impacts and energy savings that could result from promulgating a regulatory energy conservation standard for commercial and industrial fans and blowers.
- Appliance and Equipment Standards Rulemakings and Notices page for commercial and industrial fans and blowers
- ASRAC term sheet
- Public docket, which includes all published material and comments from stakeholders
California Energy Commission
California Title 20 is part of the Appliance Efficiency Regulation and California Code of Regulations. It is administered by the California Energy Commission (CEC). The CEC initiated a Title 20 rulemaking for commercial and industrial fans and blowers in 2017. The public docket has all documents published by the CEC relating to the regulation, and all comments, proposals, and supplemental materials posted by stakeholders.
- CEC Title 20 Regulation – current (though not final) draft of regulatory language. Compliance date is Nov. 1, 2023.
State Energy Codes:
AMCA encourages state energy code departments to adopt FEI language as found in ASHRAE 90.1-2019 and the 2021 IECC. When states seek to adopt earlier versions of ASHRAE 90.1 or the IECC that contain FEG language, AMCA advocates for replacement of the FEG language with the FEI language as found in these newest editions. An example of this is the 2020 Florida Building Code, which in adopting the 2018 IECC, adopted the FEI provision in the 2021 IECC in place of the FEG provision in the 2018 IECC.
- Florida - 2020 Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation, 7th edition - Section C403.2.12.3 Fan Efficiency.
- Oregon: 2021 Oregon Efficiency Specialty
Code (OEESC):
The 2021 OEESC, based on ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019,
became effective on April 1, 2021, and becomes mandatory on Oct. 1, 2021.
Resources
Presentations & Videos
Fan Energy Index (FEI)—Changing Our Industry
How Fan Energy Index (FEI) is Used in Regulations
New Fan Efficiency Requirements in ANSI/ASHRAE/IED 90.1-2019
Indice Energetico del Ventilador (FEI)
Articles & Papers
Introducing Ceiling Fan Energy Index
FEI for Energy-Saving Fan Selection – pages 10-17
Two New Metrics for Fan System Efficiency: Fan Energy Index and Fan Electrical Power
Air Movement and Control Association International, Inc.