2022 MEMBERSHIP UPDATES RENEWING MEMBERS Brennan Building & Remodeling - 20 years Crown Roofing &Exteriors - 11 years Flawless Foundations - 1 year Klemme Construction - 9 years Roofers Mart Exterior Building Products - 11 years TFH Construction - 6 years REMODELERS COUNCIL RENEWALS BOS Copious Technologies Crown C Supply Upcoming Changes to Efficiency Standards for AC Units and Heat Pumps On Jan. 1, 2023, new minimum efficiency standards for air conditioners and heat pumps will go into effect across the United States. Federal standards for equipment efficiencies are implemented by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in accordance with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) of 1975. This is the first time since 2015 DOE is updating air conditioner and heat pump efficiency standards. All new units will be required to meet the updated standards. Home builders and HVAC contractors should be getting ready for the transition as equipment meeting older standards will be phased out. For the Southeast and Southwest regions (see map below), the Jan. 1, 2023 deadline will also apply to the installation of air conditioning systems at the building. Because the indoor and outdoor units must be paired to achieve the rated system efficiency, but can be installed at different stages of construction, it’s important that HVAC contractors and builders plan accordingly to meet the January 1 installation deadline. The installation deadline applies only to the AC units (not to heat pumps and not to other specialty systems). The installation deadline does not apply to the North region for any equipment. In addition, the metrics used to designate systems’ efficiencies will change to reflect updates to the underlying testing protocols. The new efficiency designations will be referred to as SEER2 and EER2, replacing the outgoing SEER and EER designations. With the simultaneous changes to efficiencies and designations, home builders are encouraged to work closely with their equipment suppliers to ensure a smooth transition. The installation deadlines for air conditioning systems in the Southeast and Southwest regions will require additional planning and coordination between HVAC designers, HVAC contractors, equipment manufacturers, and home builders. Existing stock of single and two-stage split system AC units tagged using the outgoing SEER and HSPF rating will be allowed after January 1, 2023 deadline provided that the FTC label meets the 2023 efficiency standard. For example, a 3.5-ton AC unit labeled as 15 SEER will be allowed. To verify if the condensing unit is compliant, check the SEER and region on the FTC label. The new efficiency standards do not affect furnaces or water heaters. NAHB this week sent a letter to the DOE requesting the agency extend its installation deadline for southwest and southeast from Jan. 1, 2023 to July 1, 2023 in response to supply challenges facing the U.S. economy and the construction sector. For additional details on energy standards that govern equipment efficiencies, refer to the Code of Federal Regulations. Page 17
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