Lisa E. Crosley, Lifestyle Comfort Solutions’ President, explains what changing federal HVAC efficiency standards mean to Dayton, OH homeowners.
What are the Current Changes?
Starting January 1, 2023, the federal government launched new minimum efficiency standards for cooling equipment. Equipment installed on or after January 1, 2023, must meet these standards.
Standards are regional, reflecting the climate of differing parts of the country. First established in 2015, Ohio falls within the North region. Beginning January 1, 2023, the minimum SEER rating within the North region is 14 SEER for air-conditioning and 15 SEER for Heat Pumps.
While SEER standards increased by just one SEER, actual efficiency of units will improve about 7%-10%.
Moreover, HVAC equipment is now being factory tested under a variety of differing conditions. This stricter, more accurate factory testing is reported as SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2, listed alongside standard SEER rating.
Price Increases and Supply Chain Challenges
For a variety of reasons, manufacturing of HVAC equipment has slowed significantly. Some models may take weeks to obtain.
Never has it been more important for homeowners to maintain existing equipment, and to avoid delay in replacing equipment which nears the end of its usable lifespan.
Stock is limited, and prices have increased from 15%- 20% across many models, with more increases in sight.
Refrigerant and Your Legacy Equipment
Homes with equipment installed before 2023 may still depend on R22, better known as FREON, as its refrigerant source. However, due to environmental bans, manufacture of FREON ground to a complete halt. The only current sources are what is recovered, recycled, and reclaimed from legacy units when taken out of service.
410A replaced FREON and will remain on the market for the foreseeable future.
However, other refrigerants are being tested in hopes of discovering environmentally friendly alternatives.
As with any product, when stock is limited, prices skyrocket. Refrigerant cost is just another important reasons to maintain your cooling systems through regular service, preferably through a MyLifestyle! service agreement.
Lifestyle Comfort Solutions is an award-winning, family-owned heating and cooling company, in the Dayton, OH area. Lifestyle Comfort Solutions serves Dayton, Kettering, Centerville/Washington Township, Bellbrook/Sugarcreek Township, Englewood, Fairborn, Huber Heights, Springboro, and Miamisburg/Miami Township. To learn more, visit www.lifestylecomfortsolutions.com or call 937.202.4520.
