An impressive list of cooling-industry leaders have signed on to a UC Davis program designed to slash electricity use and peak electricity demand by rooftop air conditioners in the western United States.

The Western Cooling Challenge is designed to help cooling-unit manufacturers deliver better products, and help commercial-building owners install and use those products.

Sponsored by the UC Davis Western Cooling Efficiency Center, the cooling challenge was introduced in June. Through the summer, interested parties have been discussing the elements of the challenge with program managers at the cooling center.

As of today, 12 firms that make cooling systems or cooling-system components have enrolled in the challenge. "We are getting great participation, and that will lead to multiple choices for buyers seeking cost-effective energy efficiency," said Western Cooling Efficiency Center director Mark Modera. "Equipment meeting Western Cooling Challenge requirements will give commercial-building owners the means to save up to 50 percent of the cost of cooling and ventilation."

Some of the equipment suppliers who have signed on to the cooling challenge are:

• Trane: A world leader in air conditioning systems, services and solutions;
• Aaon: Industry leader in creating comfortable and healthy indoor environments, efficiently, through the manufacture of premium heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) equipment; and
• Munters: A global leader in energy-efficient air treatment solutions and restoration services based on expertise in humidity and climate control technologies.

The two key elements of the Western Cooling Challenge are: 1) voluntary, more demanding performance specifications for new rooftop cooling units, and 2) a new certification of "Western Cooling Challenge Compliant" to help building owners identify the new units in the marketplace.

Modera said the program is on schedule to begin field-testing new equipment in summer 2009. The first new products should become available in 2010.

Details of the Western Cooling Challenge and a complete list of the firms that have already enrolled are available at: http://wcec.ucdavis.edu/.