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What is AWEF?
Annual Walk-In Efficiency Standard or AWEF is a ratio: Total heat (Btu) removed from a walk-in box to total energy input (watt hours) during the same one-year period. In short, AWEF is a regulatory efficiency metric created by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that measures electrical energy input versus the cooling capacity of a refrigeration system.
In 2020 the DOE implemented a set of standards to regulate energy consumption in the United States. The law mandates that any product that consumes energy should conform to a set standard defined by the DOE. All commercial refrigeration equipment manufacturers are required to comply with the AWEF ratings defined in the rule. The goal of the rule is to reduce energy consumption and increase efficiency in commercial refrigeration equipment.
What products must comply?
The products most affected by the DOE's AWEF regulations are refrigeration systems covered by walk-in coolers and freezers (WICF) standards.
This includes:
- Packaged (Self-Contained) Refrigeration Systems
- Condensing Units
- Unit Coolers
- For both medium and low temperature applications
Are theRe any exceptions to the AWEF rule?
Yes, there are some product categories that are exempt from the AWEF standard.
Equipment used in walk-in coolers and freezers that are equal to or greater than 3,000 sq feet will be exempted.
Water-cooled units/systems, compressor units with remote condensers and equipment intended solely for medical, scientific and research applications will be exempted.
Finally, mutli-compressor condensing units solely designed to serve multiple WICFs or other pieces of refrigeration equipment, including "multi-plex" condensing units and parallel rack systems, will be exempted.
Applications that meet these exceptions may use equipment that does not comply with the AWEF standard.
who's responsible for compliance?
Compliance with the AWEF rule is multi-layered.
The original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is responsible for certifying its equipment to be manufactured and sold as compliant.
Additionally, it is the responsibility of those selecting, assembling and installing equipment to use certified equipment for both retrofitting existing jobs and for new installations in applications that fall under the AWEF rule.
How do I know if equipment is awef compliant?
The equipment OEM will publish the AWEF rating of each piece of compliant equipment.
In addition to publishing these ratings in their own documentation, the OEM must report this information. This information can also be found at the U.S. Department of Energy's Compliance Certification Database.
Where can I learn more?
At Reliant Sales, we're here to help you navigate and understand the ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Our knowledgeable professionals are more than happy to answer any questions you have and assist you in selecting the equipment that best fits your needs and complies with all DOE regulations. Please contact us with any questions you have.
Additional information and resources can be found at the links below: