Single Package Vertical Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
Manufacturers have been required to comply with the Department of Energy’s energy conservation standards for single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps as a separate equipment class since 2008. Before 2010, this equipment was regulated under the broader scope of commercial air conditioning and heating equipment. Single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps are commercial air conditioning and heating equipment with its main components arranged in a vertical fashion. They are mainly used in modular classrooms, modular office buildings, telecom shelters, and hotels, and are typically installed on the outside of an exterior wall or in a closet against an exterior wall but inside the building.
An amended standard, which requires compliance in 2019, will save approximately 0.15 quads of energy and is projected to provide consumers a net present value of $0.4 billion over the lifetime of SPVU equipment shipped from 2019 to 2048. The standard will avoid 9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
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DOE has published a final rule regarding energy conservation standards for single package vertical air conditioners and single package vertical heat pumps. 80 FR 57438 (September 23, 2015). For more information, please see the rulemaking page.
Standards for Single Package Vertical Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
The following content summarizes the energy conservation standards for single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps. The text is not an official reproduction of the Code of Federal Regulations and should not be used for legal research or citation.
Current Standard
For the purpose of this regulation, single package vertical air conditioners include any air-cooled commercial package air conditioner that is factory-assembled as a single package, and that (1) has major components arranged vertically, (2) is an encased combination of cooling and optional heating components, and (3) is intended for exterior mounting on, adjacent interior to, or through an outside wall. Single package vertical heat pumps are a single package vertical air conditioner that uses reverse cycle refrigeration as its primary heat source.
Single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured on or after January 1, 2010 and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR Part 431.97(b). This information is also available in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
Table 1. Energy Conservation Standards for Single Package Vertical Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
| Product |
Cooling Capacity (Btu/h) |
Efficiency Level |
| Single Package Vertical Air Conditioners |
< 65,000 |
9.0 EER |
 65,000 and < 135,000 |
8.9 EER |
| 135,000 and < 240,000 |
8.6 EER |
| Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps |
< 65,000 |
9.0 EER and 3.0 COP |
| 65,000 and < 135,000 |
8.9 EER and 3.0 COP |
| 135,000 and < 240,000 |
8.6 EER and 2.9 COP |
For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this standard, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.
Amended Standard
On August 28, 2015, amended standards were issued for single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps. The full text of the amended standard is available in the Code of Federal Regulations, 10 CFR 431.97(d)(2) and (3). It is also in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Compliance with these new standards will be required on the date shown in the table below.
Table 2. Amended Energy Conservation Standards for Single Package Vertical Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
| Product |
Cooling Capacity (Btu/h) |
Efficiency Level |
Compliance Date: Equipment Manufactured on and after: |
| Single Package Vertical Air Conditioners |
< 65,000 |
11.0 EER |
4 years after publication of final rule |
| > 65,000 and < 135,000 |
10.0 EER |
October 9, 2015 |
| > 135,000 and < 240,000 |
10.0 EER |
October 9, 2016 |
| Single Package Vertical Heat Pumps |
< 65,000 |
11.0 EER and 3.3 COP |
4 years after publication of final rule |
| > 65,000 and < 135,000 |
10.0 EER and 3.0 COP |
October 9, 2015 |
| > 135,000 and < 240,000 |
10.0 EER and 3.0 COP |
October 9, 2016 |
Current Test Procedure
To determine compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedures specified at 10 CFR 431.96(b) for single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured or distributed into commerce. This is also in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
For further guidance or to submit questions related to the implementation of this test procedure, visit the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions page.
Amended Test Procedure:
As of May 13, 2013, to determine compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the amended test procedures.
Waivers
Test procedure waivers have not been issued for single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR section 431 subpart V.
Exceptions
The DOE Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR 431 subpart V or 10 CFR 431 subpart W.
The current energy conservation standards for single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps are mandated by Part A–1, the "Certain Industrial Equipment" of Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), as amended. (42 U.S.C. 6311–6317). This equipment is treated as covered equipment under Part A-1. (42 U.S.C. 6311(22))
Energy conservation standards for single package vertical air conditioners and heat pumps were put into place by EISA 2007 and codified by DOE in a March 23, 2009 final rule. Although EISA 2007 set efficiency standards for this equipment, it did not specify the test procedures for them. On May 16, 2012, DOE published a final rule which incorporated by reference AHRI 390-2003 as the Federal test procedure for this equipment. The applicable test procedure for these products can be found at 10 CFR 431.96(b).
Past Standards
Final Rule: Standards, Federal Register, 72 FR 10038 (March 7, 2007)
Helpful Links and Contact Information
Helpful Links
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to the regulation of this product, please email:
single_package_vertical_units@ee.doe.gov
