DOE Finalizes Efficiency Rules for Room Air Conditioners ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today finalized new energy efficiency standards for room air conditioners—commonly known as window air conditioners—and portable air cleaners that will reduce household energy costs and significantly cut pollution. DOE expects these standards to save American families and consumers approximately $1.5 billion per year on their electricity bills and decrease harmful carbon dioxide emissions by 106 million metric tons over 30 years—an amount roughly equivalent to the combined annual emissions of 13.4 million homes. After moving quickly to address a backlog of Congressionally-mandated energy efficiency updates, today’s new rules underscore the President’s continued efforts to promote innovation and lower costs for families for families while tackling the climate crisis. 

“Today’s announcement builds on the historic actions President Biden took last year to strengthen outdated energy efficiency standards, which will help save on people’s energy bills and reduce our nation’s carbon footprint,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “DOE will continue to engage with our public and private sector partners to finalize additional proposals like today’s that lower household energy costs and deliver the safer, healthier communities that every American deserves.” 

The new rules will come into effect in 2024 for air cleaners and 2026 for room air conditioners. DOE expects the new rules to save consumers more than $25 billion over the ensuing 30 years of shipments. With these standards in place, households using new room air conditioners and portable air cleaners will save an estimated $150 over the average life of the appliances. 

Previous DOE rules have substantially increased the energy efficiency of room air conditioners while allowing manufacturers the flexibility to continuously innovate and offer more features to consumers. Today, the typical new room air conditioner uses 39% less energy than its 1990 counterpart. In that 33-year span, DOE raised the efficiency standard for room air conditioners three times. These new standards will continue this trajectory of innovation and consumer savings.   

The direct final rule for portable air cleaners—which increases efficiency in two phases, beginning in 2024—reflects a consensus agreement among manufacturers, the manufacturing trade association, efficiency advocates, consumer advocacy groups, states, and utilities. This rule, the first federal standard for portable air cleaners, follows the lead of and builds on the efficiency standards already established by five states, extending the savings to consumers nationwide. As portable air cleaner sales increase, these standards will provide 27% in energy savings while ensuring efficient performance for improving indoor air quality.    

Collectively, DOE’s past and planned actions under the Biden-Harris Administration to improve energy efficiency standards will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 2.4 billion metric tons and save consumers $570 billion cumulatively over 30 years.   

DOE’s Building Technologies Office implements minimum energy conservation standards for more than 60 categories of appliances and equipment. To learn more, visit the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program homepage. 

On Jan. 1, 2023, new minimum efficiency standards for air conditioners and heat pumps will go into effect across the United States.

Federal standards for equipment efficiencies are implemented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975. This is the first time since 2015 DOE is updating air conditioner and heat pump efficiency standards.

All new units will be required to meet the updated standards. Home builders and HVAC contractors should be getting ready for the transition as equipment meeting older standards will be phased out.

For the Southeast and Southwest regions (see map below), the Jan. 1, 2023 deadline will also apply to the installation of air conditioning systems at the building. Because the indoor and outdoor units must be paired to achieve the rated system efficiency, but can be installed at different stages of construction, it’s important that HVAC contractors and builders plan accordingly to meet the January 1 installation deadline. The installation deadline applies only to the AC units (not to heat pumps and not to other specialty systems). The installation deadline does not apply to the North region for any equipment.

Additional resources:
7 Benefits of Air Conditioning in the Home
Is it worth getting an electric heater?
How to Choose a Bathroom Exhaust Fan

Source: Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute

In addition, the metrics used to designate systems’ efficiencies will change to reflect updates to the underlying testing protocols. The new efficiency designations will be referred to as SEER2 and EER2, replacing the outgoing SEER and EER designations. With the simultaneous changes to efficiencies and designations, home builders are encouraged to work closely with their equipment suppliers to ensure a smooth transition.

Key developments to know:

Split systems air conditioners: The minimum efficiency regional standards for split system air conditioners will change based on the geographical location and system capacity:

North Region System capacity Outgoing minimum efficiency New minimum efficiency New Metric Corresponding outgoing metric AC (all capacities) 13.0 SEER 13.4 SEER2 14.0 SEER South Region System capacity Outgoing minimum efficiency New minimum efficiency New Metric Corresponding outgoing metric AC (< 45 kBtuh) 14.0 SEER 14.3 SEER2 15.0 SEER AC (45-65 kBtuh)1 14.0 SEER 13.8 SEER2 14.5 SEER Southwest Region System capacity Outgoing minimum efficiency New minimum efficiency New Metric Corresponding outgoing metric AC (< 45 kBtuh) 14.0 SEER 14.3 SEER2 15.0 SEER 12.2 EER 11.7/9.8 EER22 12.2/10.2 EER2 AC (45-65 kBtuh)1 14.0 SEER 13.8 SEER2 14.5 SEER 11.7 EER 11.2/9.8 EER22 11.7/10.2 EER2

Notes:

1. A 3.5-ton system will fall below the 45 kBtuh threshold whereas a 4-ton system will exceed it.
2. Contact your HVAC supplier for details where the lower rating applies.

Split System Heat Pumps: The minimum efficiency of split system heat pumps will increase uniformly throughout the country:

Outgoing minimum efficiency New minimum efficiency New Metric Corresponding outgoing metric 8.2 HSPF / 14 SEER 7.5 HSPF2 / 14.3 SEER2 8.8 HSPF / 15.0 SEER

Single Package AC systems: The minimum efficiency of single package heat pumps will remain the same, but the new designations of HSPF2 and SEER2 will apply:

Outgoing minimum efficiency New minimum efficiency New Metric Corresponding outgoing metric 8.0 HSPF / 14 SEER 6.7 HSPF2 / 13.4 SEER2 8.0 HSPF / 14.0 SEER (no change)

The installation deadlines for air conditioning systems in the Southeast and Southwest regions will require additional planning and coordination between HVAC designers, HVAC contractors, equipment manufacturers, and home builders. Existing stock of single and two-stage split system AC units tagged using the outgoing SEER and HSPF rating will be allowed after January 1, 2023 deadline provided that the FTC label meets the 2023 efficiency standard. For example, a 3.5-ton AC unit labeled as 15 SEER will be allowed. To verify if the condensing unit is compliant, check the SEER and region on the FTC label.

The regulation defines installation of a central air conditioner as the connection of the refrigerant lines and/or electrical systems to make the central air conditioner operational.

The new efficiency standards do not affect furnaces or water heaters.

For additional details on energy standards that govern equipment efficiencies, refer to the Code of Federal Regulations.