What You Need To Know About DOE Efficiency Standards
What You Need To Know About DOE Efficiency
In SW Oklahoma
Understanding How DOE Efficiency Could Affect
Your HVAC
The HVAC system in your SW Oklahoma home is vital for your comfort. When it’s hot outside, you want to be able to crank your system to cool off your home quickly and efficiently. We’ve heard many concerns over new regulations from the Department of Energy (DOE), but we’re here to tell you that these regulations can benefit you and your family.
Looking at the new rules that took effect in 2023 can be confusing. Will I still be able to heat or cool my home? Will I need to replace my existing system?
Fortunately, we’ve done our homework and understand what these regulations mean for the residents of SW Oklahoma. We’ve compiled everything you need to know about the DOE rules and how they might impact your home if you need an HVAC repair. Let’s take a look.
What Is DOE Efficiency?
To start, the DOE is the government organization that lists the energy efficiency standards for all products. Their standards are far-reaching and impact not only HVAC products and services but everything you purchase for your home.
This new round of energy efficiency and regulations began in 2015 and has grown ever since. Upon being established, the DOE placed the country into three regions: North, Southeast, and Southwest. Oklahoma falls in the Southeast jurisdiction, which is essential when examining their rules.
The priorities of the DOE are the following:
- Combating the climate crisis
- Creating clean energy union jobs
- Promoting energy justice
The new DOE efficiency standards are meant to help combat the climate crisis. But, efficiency standards can help save consumers money. When your HVAC system is more efficient, you’ll consume less energy and lower your utility bills.
Energy Efficiency Changes For 2023
On January 1, 2023, a new federal minimum energy efficiency regulation took effect in our region. This regulation will change the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration (SEER) for all regions of the United States. It will be called the SEER2 rating.
The new SEER2 rating will be 7% higher than what it has been in the past. A 7% increase will amount to a one-point gain for all regions.
For the Southeast region, the new standards will be:
- For any AC system that is below 45,000 BTU, the rating must be at least 14.3
- For AC systems above 45,000 BTU, the SEER2 rating will need to be at least 13.8
- Heat pumps will require a SEER2 rating of at least 15
The HVAC unit must meet these SEER2 standards to be sold or installed within the Southeast region. You should note that the new SEER2 rating does not apply to gas furnaces.
How The New SEER2 Rating Will Affect Consumers
If you decide to replace your HVAC unit in 2023 or beyond, you will find great savings in your energy bills. Since we can only install units that meet the criteria, your new unit will give you maximum savings.
With the new SEER2 ratings, the Department of Energy Conservation believes that households who use HVAC systems and heat pumps with these ratings will see a combined savings of $2.5 to $12.2 billion on energy bills over the next 30 years.
FAQs From Consumers About The New Ratings And Their
HVAC Unit Or Heat Pump
Now you know how the SEER2 regulations will impact new installations, but what about HVAC repair? These are just some of consumers’ frequently asked questions about their existing systems and the new rules.
Do These New Standards Mean My Current HVAC Unit Cannot
Be Repaired?
No, they do not. The new DOE Efficiency ratings are for new units being installed. We can still repair your old unit if it falls below the set energy efficiency rating.
Would It Be Beneficial To Upgrade An Old Unit To A New Unit?
As any HVAC or heat pump ages, it falls into disrepair more frequently. While we can repair almost anything, you do have to question if the frequent repairs will cost more than a new unit.
Having a unit you can rely on, and the peace of mind of knowing it will keep your home comfortable, is an enormous stress off your shoulders. With the new energy efficiency ratings, you know your unit will hit at least the minimum guidelines and will save you money.
Will New Units Cost More Now?
Higher efficiency doesn’t necessarily mean that a new unit will be higher in price than it was ten months ago.
This bill is something that manufacturers knew was coming, and many units produced in 2022 were already meeting the SEER2 rating.
You will notice that the energy guide labels on home products, including HVAC units and heat pumps, will show the product meeting the new requirements. You will see that the new notice on the label will show the state where the product can be installed.
If A Unit Is Repaired, Will It Meet New SEER2 Ratings?
It truly depends upon the unit. However, there are ways in which we can repair a unit if it is relatively new to meet these SEER2 requirements. If the unit is over ten years of age, though, there is no way to make it more energy efficient other than installing a new unit.
How Will The New Efficiency Guidelines Affect Robinson Air?
We are fully aware of the new guidelines and are ready to ensure that we meet all the government regulations. Thus, we do not expect these new ratings to slow us down. We will still be able to repair your old HVAC units and install new ones that meet these new ratings.
Free Consultation For Your SW Oklahoma Home
Ready to upgrade your current HVAC unit or heat pump in your SW Oklahoma home? Our experts are prepared to help you save money and give you peace of mind. You can rest easy knowing that if we install a new unit, it will meet all the standards of the DOE.
Schedule a free consultation by contacting us or calling us at (580) 699–5760.