Easter is upon us, and this is when in the HVAC world we begin to come out of hibernation in many parts of the country. The season is fast approaching, and we all need to make sure we have all the new required information and equipment at hand. In every part of the country there are new requirements so as not to incur heavy fines let’s look and educate ourselves.
Beginning January 1, 2023, the DOE is increasing the minimum efficiencies for central air conditioners and heat pumps. The testing procedures for determining those efficiencies are changing as well.
For air conditioners in the North, the minimum efficiency will increase from 13.0 to 14.0 SEER and in the South from 14.0 to 15.0 SEER† under today’s test procedure.
The national heat pump minimum efficiency will increase from 14.0 to 15.0 SEER.
Starting in 2023, all products must be rated using the DOE appendix M1 testing procedure, denoted as SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2. Ratings tested under M1 have been generated using external static pressures that are up to 5X higher than DOE’s pre-2023 appendix M test procedure (SEER, EER, HSPF).
In 2023, there will be new metrics and nomenclature – SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2. The new SEER2 ratings will be lower, and the minimum efficiencies will be reduced to account for the more difficult test procedures. The new test procedure will also drive changes to the airflow set point on indoor blowers (fan coils and furnaces).
* DOE Appendix M1Ratings
** DOE Appendix M Ratings
The new 2023 minimum efficiency standards for air conditioners continue to follow the regional borders established in 2015: North, Southeast and Southwest. Additionally, the Southwest includes an EER/EER2 requirement. SEER and EER are ratings tested under the pre-2023 test procedure while SEER2 and EER2 are tested under the 2023 test procedure with higher external static pressures as detailed below.
* 10.2 EER if SEER ≥ 16.0 SEER ** 9.8 EER2 if SEER2 ≥ 15.2 SEER2
Sell-Through Deadlines
For the North Region, any 13.0 SEER AC built before January 1, 2023, can still be installed on or after January 1, 2023. For the Southeast and Southwest Regions, any AC that does not meet the above requirements, as shown on the hangtag, cannot be installed on or after January 1, 2023.
Heat Pump Ratings
Heat pump minimum efficiency requirements follow national standards. In 2023, the new minimum efficiency standards for heat pumps will increase by 1.0 SEER to 15.0 SEER. Split-system heat pumps must also achieve a minimum of 8.8 HSPF.
Sell-Through Deadline
Any 14.0 SEER heat pump built before January 1, 2023, can still be installed on or after January 1, 2023.
Small Packaged Product Ratings
Small Packaged Products will not increase in minimum efficiency from 14.0 SEER and 8.0 HSPF, but will be required to comply with the new test procedure.
Sell-Through Deadline
Any 14.0 SEER SPP unit built before January 1, 2023, can still be installed on or after January 1, 2023.
*SEER, EER, and HSPF values shown are based on the current test procedure and are for reference only. Beginning January 2023, products must comply with the SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2 values developed using the 2023 test procedure.
Please keep yourselves and your staffs in the know so that you do not fail inspections do to using old equipment…. The old adage buyer beware should not fall onto your customers.
