What to Know About the 2023
HVAC Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Are you aware of the 2023 HVAC efficiency standards and the
effect on Atlanta commercial buildings? Yes, there are major changes ahead that
will impact the HVAC equipment we use. Beginning in 2023, the Department of
Energy (DOE)'s minimum energy efficiency requirements go into effect for
certain newly manufactured residential and commercial HVAC equipment.
To help you prepare for the changes, we will provide a brief
overview of these minimum efficiency standards and how it will affect HVAC
equipment over the long run.
New Minimum Efficiency Standards
Starting on January 1, 2023, all newly manufactured
residential and commercial air-conditioners and heat pumps sold in the United
States will have to comply with new minimum energy efficiency standards. In addition
to these efficiency requirements, there are new testing requirements for
certain residential and commercial equipment as of January 1, 2023.
Central Air-Conditioners and Heat
Pumps
For central air-conditioners, the efficiency requirements
that must be met depending upon the region in which the equipment is sold. The DOE
classifies the United States into three climate zones based on the number of
heating degree days: the southeast region, the southwest region, and the north (or rest of the U.S.).
The reason for this is, that the longer an air-conditioner or
heat pump runs, the more opportunity there is for energy savings. Different
regions have different minimum efficiency requirements.
Specifically, the 2023 standards will have new minimum
seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) ratings. It will increase the
air-conditioner minimum efficiency from 13 to 14 SEER in the North and from 14
to 15 SEER in the South, as shown in Table 1.
2023 Efficiency Requirements for
Split Systems
|
System Type |
North |
Southeast |
Southwest |
|
|
SEER |
SEER |
SEER |
|
Split System AC |
14 |
15 |
15 |
Table 1
Heat pumps, on the other hand, are subject to a national
minimum efficiency. In fact, the heat pump minimum efficiency will increase
from 14 to 15 SEER nationally. The heating efficiency of air-source heat pumps,
which is measured by the heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), will also
increase from 8.2 HSPF to 8.8 HSPF.
Commercial Air-Conditioners and
Furnaces
The DOE also has new efficiency standards in January 2023
that impact commercial air-conditioners and furnaces, such as rooftop units (RTUs). This is the second phase of
a multi-year plan.
The first phase was in January 2018, in which the minimum
efficiency requirement was increased by 13%. This second phase in January 2023
will increase the minimum efficiency by an additional 15%. Impacted commercial
HVAC equipment manufactured prior to January 1, 2023, can still be sold on or
after the compliance date.
How the Requirements Impact
Commercial Buildings
The goal of these new efficiency standards is to increase
the energy efficiency of the HVAC equipment we use, which will, in turn, help
lower heating and cooling usage and increase energy savings for commercial
buildings.
The new commercial HVAC equipment that you purchase will be
more energy efficient in the future, and commercial building owners and
facility managers in the greater Atlanta area will find that this more
efficient equipment has a quicker payback period and provides more utility
savings.
Choose Estes Services for Your
Commercial HVAC Needs
Estes Services has been providing comfort solutions since
1949. Our commercial HVAC services are catered to your unique needs
and concerns.
In fact, we are here to help you and your business navigate
these 2023 HVAC changes and make the best decisions for your commercial
building. From offices to churches and places of worship, data centers to
schools and universities, we work with buildings of all shapes and sizes and
help them navigate this transition.
Whether you need help with a commercial HVAC system repair
or replacement, we gladly provide consultations
and offer free second opinions and estimates to businesses in Atlanta and
beyond.
Wherever your business is located in the greater Atlanta
area, we are the commercial HVAC company that you can trust. In
fact, we are proudly a three-generation, family-owned, and local business, and
we treat our clients like family. Our friendly commercial HVAC technicians ensure
the proper maintenance and installation of your commercial HVAC equipment. We
provide commercial HVAC services in Atlanta and beyond. Our service areas in GA include Alpharetta, Buckhead, Decatur, Druid Hills, Dunwoody, Fayetteville, Johns Creek, Kennesaw, Marietta, Midtown, Peachtree City, Roswell, Sandy Springs, and Virginia Highland.
Schedule service with Estes Services today. It's
that Easy, it's Estes!
