As of January 2015 new energy efficiency standards for HVAC units came into effect through the Department of Energy (DOE). The nation is now divided into 3 regions: North, South, and Southwest, and each region have its own energy efficiency standards for new HVAC equipment. In the South and Southwest regions, all air conditioners and heat pumps must be at least 14 SEER after mid-2016. In the North region where you and I live, we will be able to continue using the 13 SEER standard for split-system air conditioners only, but heat pumps will have to achieve the 14 SEER standard. Another important change is that commercial package HVAC units will now also have to meet the 14 SEER standard. The change for commercial package units is especially important because these units have been allowed to slide down to 10 SEER efficiency in the past.

In my opinion, this was a serious loophole that needed to be closed, and now it is, so Hurrah! The reason I am mentioning this standard now, in the latter half of 2015, is that the DOE regulations allowed lower-SEER units that had already been manufactured to continue to be sold until the inventory was depleted. Well, now we have done that, the new energy efficiency standards are fully in place. If you would like clarification of these new standards, call Air Control Heating and Electric, Inc at (509) 924-0018, or email us through the contact us page. Nov 1, 2015

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Air Control Heating and Electric, Inc
7203 E. Nora Ave
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 924-0018