SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. It is calculated by dividing the cooling output for a typical cooling season by the total electric energy input for the same time period. SEER2 is an updated version of this calculation that uses the new M1 blower testing procedure.
Current SEER testing does not accurately reflect real world conditions often found with installations. Actual conditions, such as poorly designed ductwork, often lead to increased static pressures and energy consumption. The new M1 blower testing procedure changes the static pressure used in the lab from 0.1’’ w.g. to 0.5’’ w.g. to more accurately represent real world conditions.
The Department of Energy has divided U.S.A. into three separate regions with these requirements the same for every region:
- Heat pumps must meet a SEER2 rating of 14.3 and an HSPF2 of 7.5.
- Residential single packaged air conditioners and gas-electric packaged units must meet a minimum SEER2 of 13.4.
- Packaged heat pumps and dual-fuel must have a minimum SEER2 of 13.4 and an HSPF2 of 6.7.
Each region has separate requirements for Cooling-Only Equipment:
- North (National) Region: Residential air conditioners must have a SEER2 rating of 13.4
- Southeast Region: Residential air conditioners below 45,000 BTUs must have a SEER2 rating of 14.3. Air conditioners 45,000 BTUs - 65,000 BTUs must have a SEER2 rating of 13.8.
- Southwest Region: Residential air conditioners below 45,000 BTUs must have a SEER2 rating of 14.3 and an EER2 of 11.7 (9.8 EER2 if SEER2 ≥ 15.2). Residential air conditioners 45,000 BTUs – 65,000 BTUs must have a SEER2 rating of 13.8 and an EER2 of 11.2 (9.8 EER2 if SEER2 ≥ 15.2).
- Heat pumps manufactured in 2022 or earlier can be sold and installed after January 1, 2023.
- In the North region, air conditioners built before January 1, 2023 may still be sold and installed.
- In the Southwest and Southeast regions, all air conditioners sold and installed on January 1, 2023 and onwards must meet the new SEER2 efficiency standards.