Navigating the HVAC Transition: Low-GWP Refrigerants, Regulatory Trends, and Sustainable Building Practices
Rheem Commercial Air represents a family of brands that provide heating and cooling solutions in a diverse range of Commercial applications. Manufactured in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Rheem Commercial Air has research, design, manufacturing, and innovative learning facilities throughout North America with products available nationwide through our extensive distributor network. Products are designed using our unique 360+1 Design Philosophy that embodies our commitment to examine every aspect of all products we develop from every angle to ensure we design with performance, installability, serviceability, and durability in mind.
The regulatory environment for commercial HVAC systems is evolving faster than ever. New efficiency metrics phased transitions from high-Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants, and decarbonization initiatives that go hand-in-hand with electrification efforts are reshaping how architects and engineers design, specify, and operate building systems. This course examines the latest updates to federal and key state energy codes, refrigerant regulations under the AIM Act, and carbon reduction policies driving the shift toward electrification and low-GWP technologies. Participants will gain a holistic understanding of how these regulatory changes influence system selection, building performance, and occupant health. The session provides practical insight into aligning HVAC design strategies with long-term sustainability goals, resilience standards, and compliance requirements across various jurisdictions.
- Identify the latest federal and state regulatory trends impacting commercial HVAC systems, including updates from the Department of Energy, IECC, and the proposed amendments to the EPA Technology Transitions Rule under the AIM Act.
- Explain how changes to refrigerant transition timelines, including revised compliance dates and continued component exemptions, affect system design, specification, and lifecycle planning.
- Describe how emerging efficiency metrics and testing procedures such as SEER2, IVEC, and IVHE influence equipment performance measurement and integration into energy modeling for sustainable building design.
- Discuss how decarbonization goals, electrification policies, and refrigerant safety standards guide HVAC system selection, enhance indoor environmental quality, and support alignment with green building certification frameworks.
