SEER Rating Changes For 2023
Beginning in 2023, all new residential central air-conditioning and air-source heat pump systems sold in the United States will be required to meet new minimum energy efficiency standards.
The new standards continue to set different cooling efficiency levels for air conditioners in the south, and they also require an increase in the heating efficiency of all air-source heat pumps.
The new standards effective in 2023 require a seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER)—a measure of a system’s cooling performance—of no less than 14 SEER for residential systems in the northern part of the United States and 15 SEER in the southern part of the United States, where cooling loads are a larger share of home energy use. Higher SEER ratings indicate more energy-efficient equipment.
In addition, the new standards require an increase in the heating efficiency of air-source heat pumps—measured by the equipment’s heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). The minimum HSPF will be 8.8 HSPF compared with the 8.2 HSPF required by the current standard that went into effect in 2015.
Minimum Energy Efficiency of AC / HP Increasing in 2023
AC Equipment Under 3.5 Tons:
- North = 13.4 SEER2 (14 SEER)
- Southeast and Southwest = 14.3 SEER2 (15 SEER)
- Southwest = 11.7 EER2 (12.2 EER) / 9.8* EER2 (10.2 EER)
*9.8 EER2 limit for equipment ≥ 15.2 SEER2
AC Equipment 3.5 Tons and Above:
- North = 13.4 SEER2 (14 SEER)
- Southeast and Southwest = 13.8 SEER2 (14.5 SEER)
- Southwest = 11.2 EER2 (11.7 EER) / 9.8* EER2 (10.2 EER)
*9.8 EER2 limit for equipment ≥ 15.2 SEER2
Heat Pumps:
- North, Southeast, and Southwest = 14.3 SEER2 (15 SEER)
- North, Southeast, and Southwest = 7.5 HSPF2 (8.8 HSPF)
Package AC:
- North, Southeast, and Southwest = 14.3 SEER2 (15 SEER)
- North, Southeast, and Southwest = 7.5 HSPF2 (8.8 HSPF)
- Southwest = 10.6 EER2 (11.0 EER)
Package Heat Pumps:
- North, Southeast, and Southwest = 13.4 SEER2 (14 SEER)
- North, Southeast, and Southwest = 6.7 HSPF2 (8.0 HSPF)