UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
`WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460
`
`OFFICE OF
`AIR AND RADIATION
`
`May4, 2009
`
`Dear Programmable Thermostat Manufacturer or Other Interested Stakeholder:
`
`The purpose of this letter is to notify programmable thermostat stakeholders of the U.S.
`Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) intention to sunset the Version 1.2 ENERGY STARe
`Programmable Thermostat specification as scheduled on December 31, 2009 and to outline
`EPA's next steps with programmable thermostats. EPA will also issue a letter later this month
`detailing the specific time line associated with sunsetting the ENERGY STAR specification.
`
`EPA recognizes the potential for programmable thermostats (PTs) to save significant amounts of
`energy. We remain committed to cooperating with industry and other experts to structure a
`program that works toward this end. At this point we see that the best next step is to proceed as
`outlined in a February 2008 decision letter on PTs to sunset the current specification while we
`continue to work to design and implement an improved program. This is for the following
`reasons:
`
`• Significant questions have been raised as to the net energy savings and environmental
`benefits being achieved with the current set of ENERGY STAR qualifying PTs through a
`number of field studies as discussed in the February 2008 decision letter.
`
`• EPA established December 31, 2009 as a sunset date for the ENERGY STAR PT
`specification: I) in light of a January 2007 Gas Networks study that demonstrated
`savings from PTs under some circumstances; 2) to allow some ENERGY STAR partners
`to complete their programs which extended into 2009 and that incorporated ENERGY
`STAR PTs; and 3) to see if an enhanced educational effort on proper use could improve
`the effectiveness of the program.
`
`• EPA has been unable to confirm any improvement in terms of the savings delivered by
`programmable thermostats and has no credible basis for continuing to extend the current
`ENERGY STAR specification.
`
`• No new approach has been developed for differentiating thennostats that reliably and
`easily assist homeowners in saving energy (and one is not imminent) as EPA had outlined
`would need to be finalized by March, 2009 so as to avoid sunsetting the specification.
`
`Despite sunsetting the specification, EPA plans to continue to advance energy efficiency through
`programmable thermostats in the following ways:
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`EXHIBIT 2010
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`• Continue to work with industry to develop a new ENERGY STAR specification that
`differentiates products with demonstrated ease-of-use features so as to minimize the
`potential for user interface issues to reduce energy savings. EPA will be exploring the
`usability ofPT products, functionalities that improve user savings, and functionalities
`that offer consumers further comfort, communication, and control of energy costs.
`
`• Continue to educate homeowners about the energy savings associated with the proper use
`of these devices. Programmable thermostat education will be integrated into this year's
`Change the World, Start with ENERGY STAR campaign. EPA will continue to promote
`and provide the Agency's educational materials and tools at www.energystar.gov.
`
`During the week of May 18, 2009, EPA plans to issue a letter to PT partners outlining the
`milestones associated with sunsetting the specification. If you are aware of new studies or other
`information demonstrating PT effectiveness in terms of energy savings, we would appreciate
`receiving it prior to this date.
`
`EPA appreciates the efforts programmable thermostat partners have made to deliver ENERGY
`STAR qualified products to consumers and to educate consumers regarding their proper use. We
`look forward to continuing our work to hone the ENERGY STAR program for these products
`and to staying in touch with you on any progress. Please feel free to share your comments or
`concerns with me at 202-343-9120 or kaplan.katharine@epa.gov and Christina Chang, ICF
`International, at 202-862-1206 or cchang@icfi.com.
`
`Sincerely,
`
`r"~j~~
`· Katharine Kaplan
`US EPA, ENERGY STAR Product Development
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