New Efficiency Requirements
for Heat Pumps
On January 23, 2006, the new air conditioning and heat pump standard developed by the Department of Energy (DOE) went into effect. This change increases by 30 percent the SEER standard that applies to models sold today that meet the DOE minimum of 10 SEER. The new standard is 13 SEER for both split and package systems. Equipment that does not meet these standards can be purchased, but cannot be manufactured after the new standard goes into effect.