The Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute will soon start using a new logo to identify performance-certified products.

The new mark will replace the old logos that said products were certified by the Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Institute and the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association, as well as the “I=B=R” logo.

AHRI’s executive committee recently approved the new logo and trademarked a phrase, “AHRI Certified,” as part of the upcoming transition.

"Unifying the industry's product certification programs with one mark representing third-party verification of HVACR equipment and component performance ratings, will allow us to leverage our marketing dollars to enhance marketplace recognition of the new mark and its value," said AHRI President Stephen Yurek.  

The complete transition is expected to take until Jan. 1, 2012, for the new standards to be approved by international accrediting organizations, although ARI Performance Certified program participants may start using the new logos now, AHRI officials said.

"An 18-month transition period was allocated to prevent burdening manufacturers with additional costs related to replacing the old mark on products, packaging and marketing collateral," Yurek said. "Manufacturers generally update their marketing collateral and name plates about every six to 12 months and so this schedule takes into account that normal revision process."