If you’re up to speed on the latest in HVAC, you’ve likely heard the news. Come January 1, 2023, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) new efficiency standards for split system air conditioners and split system heat pumps (HPs) are slated to go into effect.
As part of the DOE’s ongoing plan to reduce the nation’s overall energy consumption, these new standards will require all split system air conditioners and heat pumps to meet new minimum energy efficiency standards. As a result, these new standards will raise the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for air conditioners and the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor) for heat pumps.
Changes of this kind typically happen every six years when the DOE reevaluates the effects of energy consumption to determine if changes to existing requirements and standards are needed. Today’s current efficiency standards went into effect in 2015 when DOE last evaluated energy consumption.
In 2023, in addition to increasing the minimum efficiency standards, HVAC manufacturers will be required to comply with a new testing procedure for developing efficiency ratings to better reflect conditions in the field. While the goal of these new standards and protocols is simple: to increase energy efficiency—new regulations and standards are not without their complexities.
In a survey conducted by Emerson, it was revealed that while about 87% of HVAC professionals are familiar with the changes coming in 2023, nearly half of respondents–44%–have yet to make plans to take action in response to these upcoming regulations.
In this white paper, we’ll walk through the details and remedy any questions regarding preparation and implementation of the new efficiency standards coming in 2023.
Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), the Department Of Energy (DOE) is required to review energy conservation standards at least once every six years, or in the event the ASHRAE 90.1 standard updates efficiency requirements for covered products. Any new or amended energy conservation standard must be designed to achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified.*
*Source: HVAC Regulations Efficiency Standards E-Book by Emerson
