2023 HVAC SEER Ratings for Contractors
The Department of Energy’s increased efficiency standards that took effect on Jan. 1, 2023, replaced the industry measures and regional compliance standards HVAC contractors have referenced for years. Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER), energy efficiency ratio (EER) and heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) ratings are changing to EER2, SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings.
Key takeaways for installing residential HVAC equipment include:
Minimum efficiency standards affect air conditioner condensing units (AC), heat pumps (HP) and single-packaged units (SPP).
Compliance guidelines are regionally determined and based on manufacture and install dates.
Installing improper equipment risks steep financial penalties.
Stay on top of 2023 DOE efficiency standards to better serve your customers and protect your business. Discuss HVAC equipment with Ferguson today
2023 HVAC regional standards for SEER2, HSPF2 and EER2
Identify your area below to see the 2023 HVAC efficiency standards where you work.
| SEER2 | HSPF2 | EER2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Region | ||||
| AC < 45K BTU | 13.4 | |||
| AC > 45K BTU | 13.4 | |||
| HP | 14.3 | 7.5 | ||
| SPP (AC) | 13.4 | |||
| SPP (HP) | 13.4 | 6.7 |
*Standards as of 2/18/2022
| SEER2 | HSPF2 | EER2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Region | ||||
| AC < 45K BTU | 14.3 | 11.7 | ||
| AC > 45K BTU | 13.8 | 11.2 | ||
| HP | 14.3 | 7.5 | ||
| SPP (AC) | 13.4 | 10.6 | ||
| SPP (HP) | 13.4 | 6.7 |
*Standards as of 2/18/2022
| SEER2 | HSPF2 | EER2 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Region | ||||
| AC < 45K BTU | 14.3 | |||
| AC > 45K BTU | 13.8 | |||
| HP | 14.3 | 7.5 | ||
| SPP (AC) | 13.4 | |||
| SPP (HP) | 13.4 | 6.7 |
*Standards as of 2/18/2022
View regional breakdown by product category
Split heat pumps: 2023 compliance and efficiency ratings are nationwide with no regional standard to supersede requirements.
Split air conditioners: 2023 compliance and efficiency ratings are nationwide, but the South (SEER2) and Southwest (SEER2 and EER2) have additional increased minimums to meet.
Packaged units: 2023 compliance and efficiency ratings are nationwide, but the Southwest (EER2) has additional increased minimums to meet for AC/GE equipment.
Why minimum SEER, EER and HSPF ratings changed
The Appendix M1 testing procedure recognizes how residential HVAC equipment operates in the field. Increasing external static pressure testing conditions accounts for real-world usage, leading to more accurate heat pump and AC efficiency ratings.
Equipment will now be tested at 5 times the current external static pressure to reflect more accurate installation conditions in the field, and new M1 testing procedures replace older rating guidelines.
How to comply with 2023 HVAC regional standards
The Jan. 1, 2023, DOE regulations affect the manufacture, installation and sale of HVAC equipment in different ways:
In the North region, HVAC contractors can continue to sell through and install all equipment built prior to 2023; however, equipment manufactured after Jan. 1, 2023, must meet Appendix M1 testing requirements.
In the South region, HVAC contractors cannot sell through or install straight AC split-system equipment that doesn’t meet Appendix M1 testing requirements as of Jan. 1, 2023. All other equipment built prior to 2023 can be sold through, but equipment manufactured after Jan 1., 2023, must meet Appendix M1 testing requirements.
In the Southwest region, HVAC contractors cannot sell through or install straight AC split and packaged systems or packaged G/E equipment that doesn’t meet Appendix M1 testing requirements as of Jan. 1, 2023. All other equipment manufactured prior to 2023 can be sold through based on date of manufacture; however, newly manufactured equipment after Jan. 1, 2023, must meet Appendix M1 testing requirements.
Contact your local Ferguson counter to discuss these changes and find equipment that meets SEER2 standards today.
How 2023 DOE changes affect light commercial HVAC equipment
All 6- to 30-ton commercial equipment also has efficiency increases and new testing requirements in 2023. While integrated energy efficiency ratio (IEER) and coefficient of performance (COP) testing metrics aren’t changing, commercial equipment in this tonnage range will see a national efficiency increase from the 2018 DOE standard, with EER requirements remaining the same.
For 3- to 5-ton single-phase commercial equipment, standards follow the residential guidelines, and compliance in every region is based on date of manufacture.
For commercial packaged and split systems, national requirements for rated capacities are as follows:
≥ 65,000 < 135,000 BTU/HR
G/E: 14.6 IEER
AC: 14.8 IEER
HP: 14.1 IEER and 3.4 COP
≥ 135,000 < 240,000 BTU/HR
G/E: 14.0 IEER
AC: 14.2 IEER
HP: 13.5 IEER and 3.3 COP
≥ 240,000 BTU/HR
G/E: 13.0 IEER
AC: 13.2 IEER
HP: 12.5 IEER and 3.2 COP