HVAC Energy Efficiency Requirements by Region
NORTH HVAC Energy Efficiency
- Air Conditioners — 13 SEER
- Heat Pumps — 14 SEER/8.2 HSPF
- Package Air Conditioners/Gas Electric — 14 SEER/81% AFUE
- Package Heat Pumps/Dual Fuel — 14 SEER/8.0 HSPF/81% AFUE
SOUTHWEST
- Air Conditioners — 14 SEER/12.2 EER (<45 BTU/h)
14 SEER/11.7 EER (>45K BTU/h) - Heat Pumps — 14 SEER/8.2 HSPF
- Package Air Conditioners/Gas Electric — 14 SEER/11.0 EER/81% AFUE
- Package Heat Pumps/Dual Fuel — 14 SEER/ 8.0 HSPF/81% AFUE
SOUTHEAST HVAC Energy Efficiency
- Air Conditioners — 14 SEER
- Heat Pumps — 14 SEER/8.2 HSPF
- Package Air Conditioners/Gas Electric — 14 SEER/ 81% AFUE
- Package Heat Pumps/Dual Fuel — 14 SEER/8.0 HSPF/81% AFUE
For cooling units manufactured on or after January 1, 2015, the U.S. Department of Energy has changed the minimum efficiency from 13 SEER to 14 SEER for equipment installed in the Southeast and Southwest regions. For the North, heat pumps must be a minimum of 14 SEER, but 13 SEER split air conditioners can still be legally installed.
A limited quantity of 13 SEER cooling units manufactured before January 1, 2015 can still be legally installed in all regions for at least the next 18 months.
If you have any questions about requirements and terms, or need help finding the product that’s best for you, contact us.
