Baker Distributing DOE Regulations Policy Change

The Department of Energy (DOE) is required to re-evaluate HVAC minimum efficiency standards every 6 years. The new SEER2 testing, and rating system mandated will go into effect on January 1, 2023 and is a US Federal law. These changes will affect all HVAC equipment to include air conditioning units, heat pumps, gas furnaces, fan coils, evaporator coils and single-package units. All HVAC equipment manufacturers must comply with these new requirements and test procedures.

For both Distributors and Contractors, it will be unlawful to knowingly sell or install non-compliant equipment. The DOE has costly penalties in place for noncompliance and will be aggressively enforcing the new SEER2 standards.

For split air conditioner systems in the Southeast and Southwest Regions, the Regional Standard will supersede the national requirements. Therefore, compliance for that product type will be based on "Date of Install". (Compliance for all other product types is based on "Date of Manufacture")

Baker Distributing is working diligently to provide our customers a smooth transition. We have begun the process to phase out all 2023 non-compliant air conditioner system models to ensure it will be installed in 2022 in accordance with DOE regulations.

With these changes we will be putting new procedures and policies in place to ensure compliance and allow a balanced conversion. **Some models are only available in certain areas and models are subject to change.

Effective September 12th

• Baker Distributing will no longer accept returns of 2023 non-compliant air conditioner system models.
• Baker Distributing will impose a maximum two-day inventory hold for transactional orders.
• Baker Distributing will impose a maximum five-day inventory hold for project/job orders.

Baker Distributing Branches in the following states are impacted: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, Nevada, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to your local Baker Distributing Branch or Sales Associate for assistance.