Yesterday, the US Department of Energy (DOE) proposed what would be the first-ever efficiency standards for portable air conditioners (ACs). While the new standards would be a significant step forward for portable ACs, higher efficiency levels could more than double the savings.

Businesses in the restaurant, food processing, institutional and hospitality sectors all need large amounts of hot water to keep their plates clean and their customers happy. Nearly one-fifth of the natural gas consumed by buildings operated by the food service industry goes toward heating hot water[1].