What does that mean for homeowners?

What Is “SEER2”?

Short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2, SEER2 measures the efficiency of your air conditioning system over an entire cooling season. It contains standards that have been updated from SEER to make heating and cooling equipment more energy efficient. The higher the SEER2 rating on your HVAC system, the more energy efficient it is.

How Will SEER2 Impact Homeowners?

There are a couple of ways that homeowners will be affected by the new SEER standards:

You will save money.

About 76 million US homes use central air, and 13 million use heat pumps. Once the new standards go into effect, the United States Department of Energy has determined (https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/) that those households collectively will reduce their energy bills by $2.5 – $12 billion over the next 30 years.

The values that measure a unit or system’s efficiency are changing.

“SEER” as you know it will no longer exist as measurement of an HVAC system’s efficiency. This will be completely replaced by “SEER2”. The values are also changing. For example, 14 SEER will become 13.4 – 14.3 SEER2. 16 SEER will become 15.2-15.4 SEER2. Keep in mind that, just because the number is smaller does not mean you are losing efficiency. In fact, quite the opposite: The new standards are increasing efficiency significantly.

The US is also divided into three regions based on climate – North, South, and Southwest. However, since the standards for the South and Southwest are the same, for all intents and purposes there are two regions. These regions have their own regulations that manufacturers and installers must adhere to.

North Region Regulations

Compliance will be determined by a system’s manufacture date. Equipment built prior to January 1, 2023 – You can still buy it and have it installed regardless of regulations. 13 SEER inventory will continue to be sold while supplies last. Any equipment built after January 1, 2023 has to abide by the new regulations.

South & Southwest Region Regulations

After January 1, 2023, no equipment can be purchased or installed if it doesn’t meet the new standards.

Those yellow EnergyGuide labels will change!

Products that are compliant with the new 2023 regulations will have an updated EnergyGuide label that includes ratings for SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2. Please review the graphic to see what the new SEER2 regulations will be in your region.