2023 HVAC Prices
It’s time to prepare, Minimum AC Seer Ratings Are About To Change In 2023 which will have an impact on HVAC Prices. Beginning January 1, 2023, new Department of Energy (DOE) regulations will go into effect. As a homeowner in Tallahassee, Florida, here’s what you need to know:
The Department of Energy (DOE) has issued new efficiency standards when it comes to installing residential central air conditioning and heat pump systems. This new energy efficiency standard will ideally save the homeowner more energy overall as it uses less energy while operating. These DOE-mandated requirements starting January 1, 2023, will affect newly manufactured residential and commercial air conditioners and heat pumps. Additionally, there will be more stringent testing requirements for both residential and light commercial equipment manufactured after January 1, 2023.
This does not mean you are required to replace your existing air conditioning system if it has a SEER rating below the new minimum standard. However, if it fails after January 1, 2023, you will need to replace it with a 15 SEER or higher.
New Efficiency Standards to SEER, EER, and HSPF Will Affect The Entire Country & HVAC Prices
Before we go any further, let’s explain what each of these acronyms is and what they mean.
The SEER rating is the term used to describe the efficiency of an air conditioner, the higher the number, the more efficient. Currently, the lowest SEER rating is 13. To qualify for the Energy Star Rating, an air conditioning unit must have a SEER rating of at least 14.5.
Energy Efficiency Ratio or EER is another rating used to measure energy efficiency. This calculation takes into consideration BTU (British Thermal Units).
HSPF or Heating Seasonal Performance Factor is a rating that determines the overall energy efficiency of heating units, much like SEER rating measures the efficiency of cooling units. The higher the heat pump’s HSPF rating, the more energy-efficient.
Here’s how these changes will affect the Southeast
According to the new guidelines:
- The previous SEER requirement will be SEER2
- The previous EER requirement will be EER2
- The previous HSPF requirement will be HSPF2
These are the new minimum efficiency requirements which will be tested by more stringent testing procedures. This changes the minimum efficiency requirements for the Northern, Southeastern, and Southwestern regions respectively.
Products which were legally compliant at the time they were manufactured will still be legal to sell and install in most U.S. states, but there are regional requirements that will be implemented.
In the Southeast region where we are located, Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories.
If you live in any of these areas and own a home or business with an HVAC system, you will be impacted by this new energy requirement.
New Efficiency Standards will Affect Contractors and Businesses
Let’s address what people want to know:
- HVAC Prices
- Energy usage & utility savings over time
- The advantages of higher efficiency units
If you are a homeowner in Tallahassee, replacing your ac unit before January 1, 2023, could save you as much as 30%
HVAC Prices- Buying and installing an air condition unit after these new requirements take effect will cost an estimated 30 percent more than the cost of a new ac unit. The percentage increase in cost is due not only to the new energy efficiency minimum standards but also to current supply chain issues and rising inflation.
Utility savings- Higher efficiency ac units are better able to move heat out of your home and circulate cool air in mainly because they have better parts. The coils and motors are more efficient and use less energy to keep the optimal indoor air temperature. Although these ac units have an initial higher cost, over time you can expect an excellent return on your investment by lower utility bills/energy savings.
Advantages of higher efficiency units- Higher SEER rating air conditioners provide greater comfort by eliminating cycling and therefore are less noisy and they do a much better job of dehumidification. You can also expect higher-end features such as variable speed air handlers, two-stage compressors, and a fan-only setting. Higher SEER central air conditioning systems also have less impact on the environment. An energy-efficient ac unit can lower your carbon footprint by lowering the amount of greenhouse gases and other atmospheric pollutants. Also, most newer central air condition units no longer use Freon which has been shown to be harmful to the ozone layer, instead these newer models use Puron which is better for the environment.
Our goal is to educate our customers on the 2023 HVAC equipment changes and to help find the right comfort solution for every budget.
As contractors, we will need to prepare by taking steps to update our inventory as well as stay abreast of “date installation” requirements for our Tallahassee residents. Air conditioners no longer meeting the 2023 SEER/EER minimum efficiency SEER rating will have to be installed by 12/31/22.
One important note: The DOE considers all heat pumps as a national standard and therefore are not subject to the regional efficiency standards.
We as licensed contractors hold the responsibility to make sure we are compliant with all new regulations. The ac unit model and serial number will be tracked from manufacturer to distributor, company, and home to stay compliant. At Cooper’s Plumbing and Air, we work to bring cool, clean air into your home and we will make sure to only sell and install units that comply with our regional standard.
Is your air conditioning unit more than 15 years old?
Is it constantly breaking down and requiring expensive repairs?
Is a low-efficient ac unit driving up your utility bill?
If you have questions, call Cooper’s Plumbing & Air, we’re here to answer all of your questions and concerns.
Simply Put:
The cheapest unit for our region, the 14 SEER will only be available for installation on or before December 31, 2022. The base model moving forward after January 1, 2023, will be the upgraded 15 SEER which will impact HVAC prices by about $900 more on average.
These changes mandated by the Department of Energy are not negotiable. Over time these higher-efficiency ac units will save consumers in energy costs by lower utility bills. Regardless of the size of your ac unit, you can save 15 to 20 percent overall when you buy sooner rather than later due to current inflation and supply chain issues. We continue to hear rumblings of another industry-wide price hike.
Buy Before January 1, 20223 and Save
Call and schedule with one of our technicians today. We can get your HVAC unit ordered and installed before December 31, 2022, and possibly in time to enjoy energy savings this summer. Don’t forget to take advantage of our financing options designed to fit every budget.
If you have questions, one of our expert technicians can guide you through the process and address any concerns about energy and function. We can replace the basic model or upgrade you to the next best option before prices rise this fall and winter. Call Cooper’s Plumbing & Air Today!