2015 HVAC Federal Regulations

If you take an interest in environmental conservation and energy efficiency, then the brand-new 2015 HVAC federal regulations may be of note to you. After all, the primary goal of the Regional Efficiency Standards is to ensure that more efficient HVAC systems are installed, thereby helping the U.S. to rely less on fossil fuel and other energy sources. It’s a bit complex, but here’s are the basics on the new HVAC federal regulations.

The United States Department of Energy and the American Public Gas Association (APGA) have reached a settlement agreement on the implementation of the Federal Regional Efficiency Standards, which mandate that several new efficiency standards for HVAC products and services will go into effect Jan. 1, 2015. These new regulations will primarily have an impact on contractors, while manufacturers will be relatively unaffected.

Under this five-part agreement, the U.S. is divided into three regions: the North, the South (AL, AR, DE, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, DC), and the Southwest (CA, NV, AZ, NM). Under the new regulations, each region now has its own unique minimum federal efficiency standards for air conditioners, and there is a new national standard for heat pumps.

New Standards Effective January 1, 2015

According to the Department of Energy document outlining the new regulations, “Federal Regional Standards for cooling equipment will go into effect as planned on January 1, 2015. All air conditioners (A/C) and heat pumps (H/P) (split system and packaged) manufactured after December 31, 2014 must comply with these Federal Regional Standards.

The Federal Regional Standards for air conditioners sold in the south and the southwest is based on the date of installation; however, the industry will have an 18 month sell-through or grace period (starting on 1-1-2015). Original equipment manufacturers, distributors and dealers will be allowed to buy, sell, ship and/or install non-compliant products (13 SEER) during this period as long as they are manufactured prior to January 1, 2015.

Split system and packaged heat pumps are not subject to the 18 month sell-through or grace period, as the standard applied is based on the date of manufacture. Split system and packaged heat pumps manufactured before January 1, 2015 can be sold after January 1, 2015 for as long as inventory exists.”

For more information, visit the Department of Energy’s page on Residential Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps.

Questions for Cranbury Comfort Systems?

If you have any questions about the new regulations, contact Cranbury Comfort Systems at (609) 758-5600 or Contact Cranbury Comfort Here.