Starting January 1, 2023, new 2023 EPA regulations for HVAC systems and How They Impact Homeowners went into effect. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated their standards to improve the efficiency of home cooling and heating systems across the United States. Homeowners should be aware of these changes and how they affect them.
Minimum SEER Rating
The primary change is that the minimum SEER rating in southern states will increase to 15. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which measures the overall energy efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump. Increasing the required SEER rating not only helps homeowners save money on their energy bills but also reduces emissions from inefficient equipment usage. While you will save money on your utility bill with a SEER 15 system versus a SEER 14, the initial cost of the unit will be more expensive. The higher the SEER, the more expensive the system, in general.
SEER 2 Standards
Another major update is the introduction of new SEER 2 standards for single-package air conditioners and heat pumps. These units must have a minimum SEER rating of 15 or higher, as well as capabilities that allow for improved dehumidification, noise reduction, and system monitoring. SEER 2 standards also update the testing conditions to better reflect real-life use scenarios.
Refrigerant Change
The final change is the switch from ozone-depleting refrigerant R-22 and R-410a to the newer R-454b refrigerant. This move helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and makes HVAC systems more environmentally friendly. This impacts homeowners with older systems as they cannot be retrofitted to use the newer refrigerant. Parts for those older systems will get harder to find and more expensive as the old refrigerant is phased out and the new refrigerant becomes the primary one in systems across the market.
Carrier has been ahead of the curve in following these changes, ensuring their products meet or exceed all EPA standards before they are implemented. Carolina Cool is proud to be an authorized Carrier dealer so our customers can rest assured that their new equipment meets all 2023 EPA regulations for HVAC systems. If you have any questions about the 2023 EPA regulations for HVAC systems, please don’t hesitate to contact Carolina Cool today! We are committed to providing quality service that exceeds expectations.
