About
ASAP

Last Updated: June 2010
See the federal standards main page to view current status

THE PRODUCT: Central air conditioners and heat pumps utilize a large compressor unit located outdoors to distribute cooled or heated air through a forced-air system. In a central air conditioning unit, the compressor cycles air from indoors over a coil filled with refrigerant to cool the inside. Heat pumps, on the other hand, are two-way air conditioners. While heat pumps can provide cool air, a reversing valve allows a heat pump system to reverse the air conditioning cycle, where the compressor cycles heat from the outside over a coil for distribution indoors. Current standards for central air conditioning products include several classes including: 1) split central air conditioning systems (cooling-only); 2) split central air conditioning heat pump systems (two piece); 3) single packaged central air conditioning systems (cooling-only), and; 4) single packaged air conditioning heat pump systems (DOE 2002).

POTENTIAL STANDARD: Since the first federal standard for central air conditioners and heat pumps was established in 1987, revisions have fallen behind schedule. The most recent standard raising the minimum Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) requirement from 10 to 13 became effective in 2006. The revised standard, scheduled to be updated by DOE in 2011, will become effective in 2016. To qualify for an ENERGY STAR rating requires a minimum 14.5 SEER for split systems and 14 SEER for single package equipment. A new federal standard requiring an average SEER of 14 for central AC units and a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) of 8.2 for heat pumps, which is also the minimum efficiency for qualification with ENERGY STAR specifications, would save 133 TWh (about 1.4 quads or primary energy) cumulatively by 2030 and generate about $7.3 billion in net present value savings. We evaluate this standard as a proxy for regional standards, as authorized under EISA 2007. Regional standards could include SEER 14 or higher for the South and SEER 13 for much of the northernmost states. In addition, the hot, dry Southwest would benefit enormously from standards requiring efficiency at high temperature operation. Our savings estimates used an average SEER to reflect that the units in the Southwest will tend to range more towards SEER 15 in order to meet the EER requirement.

KEY FACTS: 59% of U.S. households have a central cooling system, and 19% of those systems have a heat pump (EIA 2008a). Moreover, virtually all new homes are built with central air conditioning. The efficiency of central air conditioning systems can be augmented by several technologies. A variable speed motor allows more control over air distribution, which can lower energy consumption and increase comfort. In fact, the majority of systems rated over SEER 13 incorporate variable speed motors in order to achieve this efficiency. Advanced compressors and microchannel heat exchangers, which transfer more heat per unit of face area than the typical round tube plate fin heat exchangers, are other options for improving efficiency (DOE 2002). Increasing the efficiency of central AC units to a SEER of 14 and heat pumps to an HSPF of 8.2 would reduce electricity consumption by about 7% for cooling and about 6% for heating purposes.

• Federal Documentation (DOE Web site)

Update
On March 25, 2010, the DOE published a Notice of Public Meeting to continue the new rulemaking process for a final rule to be issed in 2011. (June 2010)

Press Release
Coalition Applauds DOE Decision to Enforce New AC Efficiency Standards
April 12, 2004

Press Release
Statement on Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) Withdrawal From Seer 13 Litigation
April 12, 2004

Press Release
Court Rules for Better Air Conditioner Standards: Consumers, Utilities, and the Environment Win
January 13, 2004

Press Release
AC Manufacturer, Low-income Groups, Environmentalists, States, and Utilities Urge Administration to Keep 30% Stronger AC Standard
November 7, 2001

Press Release
Bush Administration Proceeds with Rollback of Energy-Saving Standard for Air Conditioners
August 2, 2001

Press Release
Consumer and Environmental Coalition Praises Leadership of Goodman Manufacturing
April 17, 2001

Press Release
Bush Rolls Back Energy-Saving Standards
April 17, 2001

Press Release
U.S. Department of Energy Moves to Roll Back New Appliance Efficiency Standards
April 4, 2001

Press Release
Coalition Praises Clinton Administration's New Energy-Saving Standards for Air Conditioners
January 19, 2001

Press Release
Coalition Calls on President Clinton to Improve Air Conditioner Efficiency
January 3, 2001

Press Release
Energy Department Air Conditioner Standards Fall Short In Meeting Nation's Electricity Needs
October 5, 2000

Press Release
"In the City Known for Hot Air, Bill Richardson Has a Cool Idea"
September 28, 2000

Press Release
Widespread Power Outages Could Be Avoided
July 13, 2000