Southeast 2023 Regulatory Changes
Southeast 2023 Regulatory Changes
HVAC Efficiency is ricing, Here's what you need to know
The minimum efficiency ratings for HVAC systems are going to increase in 2023. That’s great news for consumers’ utility bills and for the planet! If you already have a system you’re satisfied with, you won’t experience any changes. But if you’re considering a new air conditioner or heat pump, some lower efficiency equipment available today may not be available after December 31, 2022. Across the country, units below 13 and 14 SEER will no longer be manufactured, though some regions will still allow those units to be sold and installed after that date.
For details on how regulations will change for your region of the U.S., we’ve included some helpful graphs
All residential products 5-tons and under are required to be re-rated to the new test standards and new AHRI Directory listings published. AHRI will maintain current ratings for a period of approximately 18 months after the transition to the new metrics.
Beginning in 2023, the new metrics for efficient will be referred to as SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2.
Here’s how they compare:
2023 Rating
| 0.95 | X | SEER | = | SEER2 |
| 0.96 | X | EER | = | EER2 |
| 0.85 | X | HSPF | = | HSPF2 |
*Approximation based on single stage coil only system, actual performance will vary based on system type and components
EFFICIENCY STANDARDS IN THE SOUTHEAST
Minimum efficiency levels are increasing for both air conditioners and heat pumps; however the air conditioner enforcement date will be based on date of installation. All other product types, including heat pumps, must be compliant based on date of manufacture. Minimum efficiency levels will not change for residential packaged units, but they will be retested with the new metrics.
Units Installed After December 31, 2022
| Minimum Efficiency For Units Installed In This Region | |
| 45,000 BTUH or less | |
| Split Air Conditioners | 15 SEER 13.8 SEER2 |
| Greather than 45,000 BTUH | |
| Split Air Conditioners | 14.5 SEER 13.8 SEER2 |
| 65,000 BTUH or less | |
| Split System Heat Pumps | 14.5 SEER, 8.8 HSPF 14.3 SEER2, 7.5 HSPF2 |
Sell Through of Pre-2023 Inventory
- Air conditioners below 2023 minimum requirements must be installed by December 31, 2022
- All air conditioners installed on or after January 1, 2023
must meet new efficiency levels (no sell through period) - Heat pumps that do not meet the new efficiency levels may be installed indefinitely if manufactured before
January 1, 2023
We have already begun ordering new 4SCU17LE single stage Armstrong Air® equipment, proactively anticipating the 2023 regional efficiency requirements for our region in order to meet the new testing standards
