New Energy Efficiency Standards

New Energy Efficiency Standards for Central Air Conditioners as Mandated by U.S. Department of Energy – Effective January 1, 2023

The U.S. Department of Energy has adopted new energy conservation standards which increase the minimum energy efficiency requirements for central air conditioners as follows:

  • For Split-systems – air conditioners with a certified cooling capacity less than 45,000 BTU/hr, the minimum efficiency will increase from 14 SEER to 14.3 SEER2.
  • For Split-systems – air conditioners with a certified cooling capacity equal to or greater than 45,000 BTU/hr, the minimum efficiency will increase from 14 SEER to 13.8 SEER2.

  • The U.S. Department of Energy’s increased minimum energy efficiency requirements, as noted above, will go into effect on January 1, 2023. Air conditioning equipment installed on or after that date will have to be in compliance with the U.S. Department of Energy’s increased minimum energy efficiency requirements. The installation or sale of non-compliant equipment could subject a contractor, distributor, or manufacturer to an enforcement action by the U.S. Department of Energy. If you have questions about whether the HVAC equipment you are currently installing or plan to install in the future will meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s increased minimum energy efficiency requirements, please contact your distributor, the manufacturer of the equipment, or the U.S. Department of Energy. The U.S. Department of Energy’s increased minimum energy efficiency requirements for air conditioners can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 C.F.R. § 430.32(c)(5)-(6).

    The Florida Building Commission is in the process of updating the current Florida Building Code - Energy Conservation, to conform to the U.S. Department of Energy's increased minimum energy efficiency requirements as noted above. The Florida Building Commission will also be notifying the energy compliance software vendors of these changes so that their software can be updated accordingly. If you have any questions about the process for incorporating these changes into the Florida Building Code - Energy Conservation, please call 850-487-1824.

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