Consumer Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
This policy applies to residential central air conditioners and heat pumps installed as part of a home's central heating and cooling system. Residential central air conditioners and heat pumps include split system central air conditioners and heat pumps; single package central air conditioners; single package heat pumps; small-duct high-velocity products; and space constrained products.
The minimum performance standard is set within the 10 CFR § 430.32 - Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates.
The energy conservation standards defined in terms of the heating seasonal performance factor are based on Region IV, the minimum standardized design heating requirement, and the provisions of 10 CFR 429.16.
Central air conditioners and central air conditioning heat pumps manufactured on or after January 1, 2015, and before January 1, 2023, must have Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and Heating Seasonal Performance Factor not less than:
(i) Split systems - air conditioners: SEER 13
(ii) Split systems - heat pumps: SEER 14; HSPF 8.2
(iii) Single package units - air conditioners: SEER 14
(iv) Single package units - heat pumps: SEER 14; HSPF 8.0
(v) Small-duct, high-velocity systems: SEER 12; HSPF 7.2
(vi)(A) Space-constrained products - air conditioners: SEER 12
(vi)(B) Space-constrained products - heat pumps: SEER 12; HSPF 7.4
In addition to meeting the applicable requirements above, products that are installed on or after January 1, 2015, and before January 1, 2023, in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Virginia, or in the District of Columbia, must have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 14 or higher. Any outdoor unit model that has a certified combination with a rating below 14 SEER cannot be installed in these States. The least efficient combination of each basic model must comply with this standard.
In addition to meeting the applicable requirements above, products that are installed on or after January 1, 2015, and before January 1, 2023, in the States of Arizona, California, Nevada, or New Mexico must have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 14 or higher and have an Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) (at a standard rating of 95 °F dry bulb outdoor temperature) not less than the following:
(i) Split systems - air conditioners with rated cooling capacity less than 45,000 Btu/hr: EER 12.2
(ii) Split systems - air conditioners with rated cooling capacity equal to or greater than 45,000 Btu/hr: EER 11.7
(iii) Single-package units - air conditioners: EER 11.0
Each basic model of single-package central air conditioners and central air conditioning heat pumps and each individual combination of split-system central air conditioners and central air conditioning heat pumps manufactured on or after January 1, 2015, shall have an average off mode electrical power consumption not more than the following:
(i) Split-system air conditioners: 30
(ii) Split-system heat pumps: 33
(iii) Single-package air conditioners: 30
(iv) Single-package heat pumps 33
(v) Small-duct, high-velocity systems 30
(vi) Space-constrained air conditioners 30
(vii) Space-constrained heat pumps 33
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