What Does the Latest Ruling on Regional HVAC System Efficiency Standards Mean for Ohio?

An order accepting the March 11 settlement agreement has been issued by the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in a long-standing regional efficiency standards lawsuit between the U.S. Department of Energy and HVAC industry interest groups. The ruling allows for the implementation of HVAC system efficiency standards per region, and manufacturers of HVAC equipment have been allowed more time to implement new energy-efficiency standards.

The country has been divided into three regions by the U.S Department of Energy for implementation of the regional HVAC system efficiency standards. The three regions are the North, Southeast and Southwest. Ohio is part of the Northern region, and the minimum efficiency standards for each equipment type as stipulated for the Northern region will apply to Ohio.

 Regional HVAC minimum efficiency standards for the North beginning Jan. 1, 2015:

• The efficiency standard for split-system air conditioners will remain 13 SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio).
• The efficiency standard for single-package air conditioners will increase to 14 SEER.

 National HVAC minimum efficiency standards starting Jan. 1, 2015:

• Split-system heat pumps – 14 SEER and 8.2 HSPF (heating season performance factor).
• Single package heat pumps – 14 SEER and 8 HSPF.
• High velocity small duct systems – 13 SEER and 7.7 HSPF.
• Heat pumps and air conditioners that are space constrained – 12 SEER and 7.4 EER (energy efficiency ratio).
• Oil-fired furnaces that are non-weatherized – 83 percent AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency).
• Oil-fired furnaces used in mobile homes – 75 percent AFUE.
• Gas furnaces that have been weatherized – 81 percent AFUE.
• Oil-fired weatherized and electrical furnaces – 78 percent AFUE.

As a homeowner, you should familiarize yourself with the new minimum HVAC energy efficiency standards. If you want to upgrade your existing cooling or heating system, or if you’re building a new house, your trusted HVAC contractor can consult with you about the best efficiency level for your home.

For more information and expert advice on the new HVAC system efficiency standards and other issues related to home comfort, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning. We have been proudly serving Lorain, Erie and Cuyahoga counties for more than 34 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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