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2023 Minimum Efficiency Standards
Keeping You Ready For What’s Next
The regulation of energy efficiency and emissions continue to spur change in the HVAC industry.
Effective in 2023, we will see significant changes in energy efficiency criteria and ratings that will affect residential and commercial equipment throughout the U.S. Soon afterward will be the national phase down of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, which will mean a transition to lower global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants for air conditioning.
Table Of Contents
2023 Minimum Efficiency Standards
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has the authority to establish minimum efficiency standards for air conditioning (AC) and heat pump (HP) equipment. The next set of energy efficiency increases will impact newly-manufactured residential and commercial equipment and will take effect on January 1, 2023. For single-phase residential and light commercial central air conditioning systems, the requirements will vary by region.
DOE New Efficiency Standards by Region
SINGLE-PHASE AC & HP <65K BTU/HR
National / North
Compliance based on date of manufacture.
- Applies nationally unless superseded by regional standard in Southeast and Southwest.
- Applies to all split and packaged heat pumps nationally.
Southwest
Supersedes federal minimum for split and packaged air conditioners, and compliance is based on date of installation.
Including the following states: Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico.
Southeast
Supersedes federal minimum for split air conditioners, and compliance is based on date of installation.
Including the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories,
Appendix M1: A New System of Measurement
SINGLE-PHASE AC & HP <65K BTU/HR
For equipment manufactured after January 1, 2023, not only are the minimum standards changing, but a new test procedure will be required. This new test method is commonly referred to as Appendix M1, replacing Appendix M in the Code of Federal Regulations.
For decades, we’ve used the classic metrics of SEER, EER and HSPF. Going forward, you’ll hear these metrics referred to as SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2.
Why is the metric changing?
The DOE test procedure has been updated to be more representative of installations in today’s homes and will be used to determine product ratings. This new system of measurement will apply to all single phase air conditioners and heat pumps <65k BTU/HR.
What about commercial?
Commercial single-phase air conditioners and heat pumps <65k BTU/HR (typically those in the 3-, 4- and 5-ton range) follow the residential standards. Commercial systems ≥65k BTU/HR also have new minimum efficiency levels going into effect in 2023 on a national basis, with compliance based on date of manufacture. Note that while the metrics of IEER and COP are not changing, IEER and COP minimum efficiency levels are increasing from DOE 2018 standard. EER requirements remain unchanged. See the table below for the 2023 requirements. At this time, DOE has not issued a new efficiency standard or metric that applies to the category of small 3-phase systems, 5-ton and below, but these are under consideration.
DOE 2023 6 to 30 tons (≥ 65,000 BTU/HR)
National Requirements
| Equipment | Rated Capacity (BTU/HR) |
Gas/Elec (IEER) |
AC (IEER) |
HP (IEER/COP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Packaged & Splits |
≥ 65,000 < 135,000 |
14.6 | 14.8 | 14.1/3.4 |
| ≥ 135,000 < 240,000 |
14.0 | 14.2 | 13.5/3.3 | |
| ≥ 240,000 | 13.0 | 13.2 | 12.5/3.2 |
Navigating Regional Standards
PHASE IN, PHASE OUT: PLANNING IS ESSENTIAL
It is important to note that the 2023 requirements apply nationally—unless they are superseded by a regional standard. The regional standards apply in the Southeast and Southwest, and there is a key difference between the national and regional standards when it comes to enforcement. While both have a compliance deadline of January 1, 2023, the national deadline is based on equipment date of manufacture, while compliance to the regional standards is based on date of installation. Heat pumps do not have regional efficiency criteria, so the national criteria apply in all states. One helpful way to keep track of the requirements by region is to remember the general rule of 3-2-1.
Regional Standards, the 3-2-1
3
Three different efficiency levels for
SPLIT AIR CONDITIONERS
2
Two different efficiency levels for
PACKAGED AC AND GAS/ELECTRIC
1
One efficiency level for
SPLIT AND PACKAGED HEAT PUMPS
Understanding Compliance in Your Region
SINGLE-PHASE AC & HP <65K BTU/HR
North Region
For the states in the North region, compliance is based on date of manufacture. Therefore, if a product, as part of an AHRI-rated matched system, was compliant on the day it was produced, it can continue to be sold and installed anywhere in the North region.
| Product Category | 2023 Efficiency Requirements Using Appendix M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| SEER2 | HSPF2 | |
| SPLIT AC < 45k BTU/HR | 13.4 | |
| SPLIT AC ≥ 45k BTU/HR | 13.4 | |
| SPLIT HP | 14.3 | 7.5 |
| SINGLE PACKAGED AC/GE | 13.4 | |
| SINGLE PACKAGED HP | 13.4 | 6.7 |
NOTE: The above table applies to system matchups and not individual components. Consult the AHRI directory for the most current matchups.
NATIONAL/NORTH: Compliance based on date of manufacture.
- Applies nationally unless superseded by regional standard in Southeast and Southwest.
- Applies to all split and packaged heat pumps nationally.
Southwest Region
2023 COMPLIANCE GUIDANCE FOR YOUR REGION
For split and packaged AC and packaged gas/electric (GE) in the Southwest states, a regional standard (as highlighted in blue below) supersedes the national requirements. Therefore, compliance for those product types is based on date of installation. Compliance for the other product types is based on date of manufacture.
| Product Category | 2023 Efficiency Requirements Using Appendix M1 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SEER2 | EER2 | HSPF2 | |
| SPLIT AC < 45k BTU/HR | 14.3 | 11.7/9.8 1 | |
| SPLIT AC ≥ 45k BTU/HR | 13.8 | 11.2/9.8 1 | |
| SPLIT HP | 14.3 | 7.5 | |
| SINGLE PACKAGED AC/GE | 13.4 | 10.6 | |
| SINGLE PACKAGED HP | 13.4 | 6.7 | |
Supersedes Split AC national standard of 13.4 and includes EER2 requirements.
1 The lower EER2 requirements are for equipment at or above 15.2 SEER2.
NOTE: The above table applies to system matchups and not individual components. Consult the AHRI directory for the most current matchups.
SOUTHWEST: Supersedes federal minimum for split and packaged air conditioners, and compliance is based on date of installation.
Including the following states: Arizona, California, Nevada and New Mexico.
Southeast Region
For the states in the North region, compliance is based on date of manufacture. Therefore, if a product, as part of an AHRI-rated matched system, was compliant on the day it was produced, it can continue to be sold and installed anywhere in the North region.
| Product Category | 2023 Efficiency Requirements Using Appendix M1 | |
|---|---|---|
| SEER2 | HSPF | |
| SPLIT AC < 45k BTU/HR | 14.3 | |
| SPLIT AC ≥ 45k BTU/HR | 13.8 | |
| SPLIT HP | 14.3 | 7.5 |
| SINGLE PACKAGED AC/GE | 13.4 | |
| SINGLE PACKAGED HP | 13.4 | 6.7 |
Supersedes Split AC national standard of 13.4 and includes EER2 requirements.
NOTE: The above table applies to system matchups and not individual components. Consult the AHRI directory for the most current matchups.
SOUTHEAST: Supersedes federal minimum for split air conditioners, and compliance is based on date of installation.
Including the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories,
Enforcement
HOW THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WILL ENSURE COMPLIANCE
The DOE may impose stiff penalties for violators of the new regulations. For both contractors and distributors, it is unlawful to knowingly sell or install non-compliant equipment. Ultimately, it’s the seller’s responsibility to check and ensure that the equipment for sale complies with the regulations in the region in which the equipment will be installed.
Contractors
- If contractors install equipment that doesn’t meet the new standards, they will be required to cover all costs associated with replacing the equipment, and they may be subject to additional DOE penalties.
- Applies nationally unless superseded by regional standard in Southeast and Southwest.
Distributors
- If distributors knowingly supply non-compliant equipment to contractors, including those who intend to cross regional lines, they may be subject to the same enforcement, plus a per-unit monetary penalty.
If either contractors or distributors are found to be routinely selling or installing non-compliant equipment, they may be prohibited from purchasing any of the covered classes of equipment:
- Split-system air conditioners
- Split-system heat pumps
- Single-packaged air conditioners
- Single-packaged heat pumps
- Small-duct, high-velocity systems
- Space-constrained air conditioners
- Space-constrained heat pumps
The information provided does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information and content are for general informational purposes only.
FAQs
Why are the efficiency metrics changing (from SEER to SEER2 or HSPF to HSPF2)?
The newly revised test procedure is an entirely different way of calculating energy efficiency, thereby it has a different metric altogether. The new test procedure is more representative of system operation in typical home installations.
What is the efficiency increase of the new standards?
It varies by equipment type and region, but generally, minimum efficiencies are increasing by about 7–10%, or 1 SEER in the traditional system.
How will the efficiency standards be enforced?
Just as it is today, the DOE relies on reporting of suspected violations by distributors, dealers and contractors. DOE investigates credible complaints and may assess penalties for violators.
Will I still be able to access ratings information for products made prior to January 1, 2023?
Yes. Even if a product is moved to “production stopped” or “discontinued” in the AHRI directory, ratings are still available for a period of time after the status change.
Is Canada planning to adopt the DOE efficiency standards and M1 test procedure?
Canada has signaled that they plan to harmonize the requirements with that of the 2023 DOE standards in time for January 1, 2023. They also indicated that they plan to have some cold-climate specific requirements for heat pumps. Learn More
Will the new regulations affect 3-Phase equipment <65k BTU/HR?
No. The new efficiency standards and metrics do not apply to 3-phase equipment less than <65k BTU/HR at this time.
On the Horizon for 2025 – Refrigerant Change
Taking aim at HFCs
In 2020, a bipartisan senate bill known as the American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act was enacted into law. It authorizes a 15-year phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) across a variety of applications, including HVAC. The bill gives the U.S. EPA the authority to prescribe the HFC phase down, with rulemaking underway.
When the EPA takes the expected action of setting a 750 GWP limit for air conditioning in 2025, it means that R-410A, with a GWP of 2,088, will no longer be able to be used in new equipment manufactured after the compliance date. The most common low-GWP alternatives to R-410A are classified by ASHRAE as mildly flammable, or A2L. Due to their mildly flammable characteristics, A2L refrigerants require updates to standards and building codes to allow for their safe installation.