October 10, 2012

home in St. Louis neighborhood

Residential Heating and Cooling

In October of 2011 the US Department of Energy (DOE) announced the effective date of the proposed energy conservation rules which impose elevated minimum standards and regional standards for residential HVAC appliances. These new proposed standards are set to take effect in May of 2013 for residential non-weatherized furnaces. The new standards for residential weatherized furnaces, central air conditioners and heat pumps will go into effect January 2015.

The new rules for non-weatherized residential furnaces and mobile home gas furnaces are set for those that are installed on or after May 1, 2013. In the Northern Region of the United States, the new rules set out that they must be at least 90% AFUE. In all other states, they must be at least 80% AFUE.

In the Southeastern region of the United States, split system air conditioners must be a minimum of 14 SEER when installed after the beginning of January 2015. In the Southwestern Region, they must be at a minimum of 14 SEER and 12.2 EER. All other states must be at a minimum of 13 SEER.

For heat pumps the minimum efficiency standard is 14 SEER and 8.2 HSPF which begins January 1, 2015. There is no region set for this standard, it is nationwide.

St. Louis Residential HVAC

If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, please feel free to give us a call at (314) 200-0788 or contact us online. A Scott-Lee Comfort Specialist will be happy to help you improve the comfort level of your home environment.

 

photo credit: james.thompson