Needing to replace an air conditioner is already a pretty intensive situation. There are a lot of system options to consider and you want to find the system that works for your home and offers great efficiency but doesn’t destroy your budget for three years.
Adding to this already somewhat tough process are the new SEER2 regulations that will impact product manufacturers and, as a result, consumers.
You aren’t alone in dealing with these new energy efficiency regulations though. We’ve provided a quick look at what the SEER 2 regulations entail, and how they impact your options with your next AC replacement in Miami.
What Is SEER 2?
SEER is an abbreviation for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio” and represents the amount of power that an AC uses to cool your home by removing heat from the air. By default, SEER2 is Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2. But that number isn’t just for show.
New testing procedures are upping the game for how new air conditioners are tested. This means changes to how components are made in order to meet the new, more stringent, requirements to get the required rating.
But why?
Well, the ultimate goal is to improve the efficiency of the systems being installed in peoples’ homes. To do this, SEER2 testing is improving its ability to detect and respond to external pressure created by things like a home’s ductwork. This in turn allows a better real-world representation of the system’s actual efficiency level.
How It Is Impacting Inventory
As if inflation wasn’t enough, the new SEER2 regulations are going to impact the inventory on the market too. According to The SEER2 Guide, any system that doesn’t meet the requirements of the new regulations can’t be installed after the date of January 1, 2023.
For the Southeast region of the country, it means the following systems will require the following ratings:
- Split system air conditioners have to have a SEER2 rating of 14.3
- Heat pumps must have a SEER2 rating of 14.3
- Packaged AC units must have a SEER2 rating of 13.4
While this isn’t going to impact anyone with an air conditioner that is working fine and only has a few years under its belt, these regulations will have to factor into the decision-making process of anyone who is in the process of getting an AC replacement.
If you looking to get a new air conditioner in your home in the near future, you will want to do it sooner than later. Any current air conditioners that don’t meet the standards set up by SEER2 regulations can’t be installed after January of the new year hits. So if you wait until after 2023 arrives to get that replacement, you may be looking at a far more expensive system.
This is no small choice to make and ultimately you should be able to get the system that meets your needs best. If you are considering scheduling a system replacement sometime soon, we’d advise talking to a technician about what your best options are as soon as possible.