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U.S. Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

Recent Updates: A Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for the Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Test Procedure (RIN: 1904–AB94) was published on October 24, 2011. (76 FR 65616) The Department is re-opening the comment period for this notice, and comments must be submitted no later than January 20, 2012. For a link to the notice see below under the first bullet in the Future Test Procedures section, on this webpage.

Residential central air conditioners and heat pumps include split system and single package central air conditioners and heat pumps, as well as small-duct high-velocity products and space constrained products. Central air conditioners and heat pumps are installed in residential applications as part of a home's central heating and cooling system and there is a Direct Final Rule process currently underway to update the existing energy conservation standards for these products. The current standards will still apply to all covered manufactured air conditioners and heat pumps up until the new compliance date becomes effective for any amended standards resulting from this rulemaking.

Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

(Issue date: 08/17/2004)
(Compliance date: 01/23/2006)

DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Building Technologies Program develops energy conservation standards for consumer products and commercial equipment. This office has the overall responsibility for rulemaking activities for residential air conditioners and heat pumps in fulfillment of the law. The first cycle of rulemaking activities for these products has been completed and the resulting standards are presented below. The final rule completing the first rulemaking cycle was published on August 17, 2004 and manufacturers were required to comply with these standards beginning on January 23, 2006. (69 FR 50997)

Product class Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) Heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF)
(i) Split system air conditioners 13
(ii) Split system heat pumps 13 7.7
(iii) Single package air conditioners 13
(iv) Single package heat pumps 13 7.7
(v)(A) Through-the-wall air conditioners and heat pumps-split system1 10.9 7.1
(v)(B) Through-the-wall air conditioners and heat pumps-single package1 10.6 7.0
(vi) Small duct, high velocity systems 13 7.7
(vii)(A) Space constrained products-air conditioners 12
(vii)(B) Space constrained products-heat pumps 12 7.4

1 The "through-the-wall air conditioners and heat pump – split system" and "through-the-wall air conditioner and heat pump – single package" product classes only applied to products manufactured prior to January 23, 2010. Products manufactured as of that date must be assigned to one of the remaining product classes listed in this table. The product class assignment depends on the product's characteristics. Product class definitions can be found in 10 CFR 430.2 and 10 CFR part 430, subpart B, appendix M. DOE believes that most, if not all, of the historically-characterized "through-the-wall" products will be assigned to one of the space-constrained product classes.

Technical Support Document

The TSD supports the rulemaking analyses by describing the assumptions and methodology and by presenting the engineering and economic results in greater breadth and depth. The TSD for the Final Rule includes all sections supporting the July 25, 2001, supplemental proposed rule plus a revised Appendix M: Utility Impact Analysis and Environmental Assessment.

To view the July 25, 2001 TSD and the Regulatory Impact Analysis, go to SNOPR TSD.

Energy, Emission and Cost Reductions from Existing Standards:

DOE estimates that the current standards will save approximately 4.2 quads of energy by 2030 and that the standards will result in a net benefit to the consumer of $1 billion from 2006 to 2030. Additionally, the savings will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33 million metric tons of carbon and reduce air pollution by approximately 94 thousand metrics tons of nitrous oxides by 2020. (66 FR 7171)

For Standards Related Questions

Lucas Adin
Project Manager

Current Test Procedure for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps

(Issue date: 10/22/2007)
(Compliance date: 04/21/2008)

The test procedure for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps is located in the Code of Federal Regulations in Chapter 10, Part 430, Subpart B, Appendix M.

DOE is updating a new test procedure for central air conditioners and heat pumps to be effective concurrent with the Direct Final Rule for air conditioners and heat pumps. For more information regarding the test procedure rulemaking for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps, please see contact information below.

Future Test Procedure for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps associated with the DFR

DOE is currently conducting a rulemaking for the Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps standby and off mode test procedure.