Consumer Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
Central air conditioners and heat pumps include split system central air conditioners and heat pumps, single package central air conditioners and heat pumps, small-duct high-velocity products, and space constrained products. They are installed as part of an indoor climate control system. They may or may not use ducts to distribute cooled or dehumidified air to more than one room. Some ductless air conditioners and heat pumps are configured as split systems and are commonly referred to as mini-splits or multi-splits. Due to their configuration as split systems, mini- and multi-splits are also defined as central air conditioners and heat pumps rather than room air conditioners. 10 CFR 430.2 Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps since 1992.
Current Standard | Current Test Procedure |
Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure |
Helpful Links
Recent and Ongoing Activities
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a Federal Register notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) pertaining to the Federal test procedure for central air conditioners and heat pumps (CAC/HPs) to incorporate by reference the latest versions of the applicable industry standards. Specifically, DOE proposes: to amend the current test procedure for CAC/HPs (appendix M1) for measuring the current cooling and heating metrics—seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2 (SEER2) and heating seasonal performance factor 2 (HSPF2), respectively; and to establish a new test procedure (appendix M2) for CAC/HPs that would adopt two new metrics—seasonal cooling and off-mode rating efficiency (SCORE) and seasonal heating and off-mode rating efficiency (SHORE). Testing to the SCORE and SHORE metrics would not be required until such time as compliance is required with any amended energy conservation standard based on the new metrics. Additionally, DOE proposes to amend certain provisions of DOE's regulations related to representations and enforcement for CAC/HPs. DOE welcomes written comments from the public on any subject within the scope of this document (including relevant topics not raised in this proposal), as well as the submission of data and other relevant information.
- DOE will accept comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR until June 4, 2024
- Interested persons may submit comments identified by docket number EERE-2022-BT-TP-0028 by email (CACandHeatPump2022TP0028@ee.doe.gov), Federal eRulemaking portal (http://www.regulations.gov).
- DOE will hold a public webinar on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Click here to register for the webinar.
- Foreign Nationals interested in participating in this meeting or webinar, must be screened by DOE Headquarters Security prior to being granted access. Please email Regina.Washington@ee.doe.gov to complete the necessary documentation at least two weeks prior to scheduled meeting date.
- Additional webinar registration information, participant instructions, and information about the capabilities available to webinar participants will be published on DOE's website: https://energy.gov/eere/buildings/public-meetings-and-comment-deadlines.
For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.
Standards
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Confirmation of Effective Date and Compliance Date for Direct Final Rule
Direct Final Rule
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Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
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The residential central air conditioners and heat pumps energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE–2014–BT–STD–0048 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information:
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
Test Procedure
| Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
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| Request for Information |
- Federal Register, 88FR4091 (January 24, 2023)
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The residential central air conditioners and heat pumps test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2022-BT-TP-0028 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
Current Standard
Residential central air conditioners and central air conditioning heat pumps manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at CFR 430.32(c)(3).
To determine that residential central air conditioners and heat pumps that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 430.23(m).
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Compliance
DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information on these regulations is available here.
Waivers
For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.27.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has authorized exception relief for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps.
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Issued To
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Date
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Case No.
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SpacePak, Inc.
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05/24/2004
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TEE-0010
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Unico, Inc.
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05/24/2004
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TEE-0011
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Energy Savings Products, Ltd.
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09/28/2005
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TEE-0026
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For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions
DOE has issued final guidance pertaining to the certification and compliance of energy conservation standards for central air conditioners and heat pumps, particularly on how these topics relate to regional standards for these products.
For information on further guidance and answers to Frequently Asked Questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the Federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart D.
ENERGY STAR®
DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov
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