The Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International says the rule-making process excluded distributors and contractors and is not economically justified in current market conditions.

HVACR wholesaler group HARDI is fighting a U.S. Department of Energy proposed final rule on regional efficiency standards for furnaces and air conditioners.

The Heating, Airconditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International filed comments Monday opposing the plan, saying the rule-making process excluded distributors and contractors and is not economically justified in current market conditions. 

“HARDI believes that the proposed rule will harm small businesses, jobs, and our industry as a whole at an already difficult time in terms of unitary equipment sales,” said HARDI's executive vice president and chief operating officer, Talbot Gee.  “If the DOE proceeds with this ill-conceived and unjustified direct final rule, they will be actively turning a blind eye to economic and practical realities.”

The association has asked the Energy Department to withdraw the final rule. Another industry group, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America, has made a similar request.