New 2023 HVAC Efficiency Standards Products and Information

First, we will get a new minimum efficiency standard for split AC and HPs. Second, we will have a new test procedure that will create new efficiency ratings for SEER, EER, and HSPF. Third, we will have updated energy guide labels to display the new efficiency ratings. Finally, for air conditioners in the south and southwest, we will have the first install by mandate that will not allow us to continue to sell products that were built prior to the effective date of the standard.

About every six years, the Department of Energy evaluates energy conservation standards for most of the appliances you have in your home or those in commercial buildings. When DOE evaluates the need for a new standard, they decide whether there are significant national energy savings if the standard is increased

New minimum efficiency standards for split-system air conditioners and split-system heat pumps will increase approximately 0.5 to 1.0 SEER and 0.6 HSPF. Packaged unit minimum efficiencies will remain unchanged. More detailed information, by region, is available on Lennox's 2023 Regional Standards flyer.

Known as the “M1 Standard”, all manufacturers are required to re-test equipment to the new efficiency rating test requirements and publish equipment efficiency ratings using the new efficiency metrics of SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2. Compared to the current test procedure the new test procedure increases the external static pressure from 0.1-0.3 ESP to 0.5 ESP to better reflect field conditions, for heat pumps a more representative heating load line will also be implemented. Since the new testing requirements are more stringent, in 2023, there will be new metrics and nomenclature

All units will either need to be phased out if they don't meet the new minimum efficiencies or they will need to have all qualifying system matches re-rated to the new efficiency rating test requirements.

In the North, any of the 13ACX, XC13, 16ACX, XC21, ML14XP1, ML16XP1, EL16XP1, 16HPX and XP21 built prior to the end of 2022 can be sold and installed in 2023 but all will be phased out at some point in early 2023

In the South and Southwest, any of the ML14XP1, ML16XP1, EL16XP1, 16HPX and XP21 built prior to the end of 2022 can be sold and installed in 2023 but all will be phased out at some point in early 2023. However, the ML14XC1, EL16XC1, 16ACX and XC21 will be phased out on December 31, 2022 and will not be able eligible for sale or installation on or after January 1, 2023

ML17XC1, EL17XC1 and ML18XC2 in Late Summer 2022. ML17XP1 and EL17XP1 in Fall 2022.

The new air conditioners will be approximately 10-15% more than the ML14XC1, EL16XC1 and 16ACX. The new heat pumps will be approximately 20-25% more than the ML14XP1 and EL15XP1.

This price increase is due to a more efficient compressor, a more efficient fan motor, a larger coil and cabinet size, and a higher refrigerant charge to achieve the higher efficiency.

There is training available on HVAC Learning Solutions that can easily be found by searching for “2023 Regional Standards”. One option is a brief overview (15 minutes) with some questions at the end of each section and the other is a more detailed training (20 minutes) with no questions included.

For information regarding if HVAC equipment qualifies for the 25C tax credit, please visit HVAC Federal Tax Credits.