Consumer Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
Central air conditioners and heat pumps include split system central air conditioners and heat pumps, single package central air conditioners and heat pumps, small-duct high-velocity products, and space constrained products. They are installed as part of an indoor climate control system. They may or may not use ducts to distribute cooled or dehumidified air to more than one room. Some ductless air conditioners and heat pumps are configured as split systems and are commonly referred to as mini-splits or multi-splits. Due to their configuration as split systems, mini- and multi-splits are also defined as central air conditioners and heat pumps rather than room air conditioners. 10 CFR 430.2 Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps since 1992.
Current Standard | Current Test Procedure |
Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure |
Helpful Links
Recent and Ongoing Activities
DOE has published a Federal Register notice amending the test procedures for central air conditioners and heat pumps that will be required for certification of compliance with applicable energy conservation standards starting January 1, 2023, to address a limited number of specific issues, and making minor corrections to the current test procedures that are required for certification of compliance with applicable energy conservation standards prior to January 1, 2023. This rulemaking does not satisfy the 7- year lookback requirement prescribed by EPCA.
- The effective date of this rule is November 25, 2022.
- The final rule changes will be mandatory for product testing starting April 24, 2023.
- The incorporation by reference of a certain publication listed in the rule was approved by the Director of the Federal Register on February 6, 2017.
For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.
Standards
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Confirmation of Effective Date and Compliance Date for Direct Final Rule
Direct Final Rule
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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
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The residential central air conditioners and heat pumps energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE–2014–BT–STD–0048 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information:
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
Test Procedure
| Request for Information |
- Federal Register, 88FR4091 (January 24, 2023)
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| Final Rule |
- Federal Register, 87FR64550 (October 26, 2022)
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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; Comment Reopening
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
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Final Rule; Correcting Amendments
Final Rule; Further Delay of Effective Date
Final Rule; Delay of Effective Date
Final Rule
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| Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
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| Notice of Final Rule and Technical Correction |
- Federal Register, 81FR55111 (August 18, 2016)
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| Final Rule |
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The residential central air conditioners and heat pumps test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2009–BT–TP–0004 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
Current Standard
Residential central air conditioners and central air conditioning heat pumps manufactured 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 at CFR 430.32(c)(3).
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Compliance
DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information on these regulations is available here.
Waivers
For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has authorized exception relief for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps.
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Issued To
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Date
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Case No.
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SpacePak, Inc.
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05/24/2004
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TEE-0010
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Unico, Inc.
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05/24/2004
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TEE-0011
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Energy Savings Products, Ltd.
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09/28/2005
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TEE-0026
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For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions
DOE has issued final guidance pertaining to the certification and compliance of energy conservation standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps, particularly on how these topics relate to regional standards for these products.
For information on further guidance and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.
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 part 430, subpart D.
ENERGY STAR®
DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov
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