Toggle Nav
  • Order Online or Call
  • (888) 474 - 9966
  • Mon - Fri 9:00am - 3:00am EST - Se Habla Español
    Sat - Sun 9:00am - 6:00pm EST
My Cart
SHOPPING CART items 0 items

SEER2 is coming January 1, 2023. What does that mean for homeowners?

What is “SEER2”?

Short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2, SEER2 measures the efficiency of your air conditioning system over an entire cooling season. It contains standards that have been updated from SEER to make heating and cooling equipment more energy efficient. The higher the SEER2 rating on your HVAC system, the more energy efficient it is.

How will SEER2 impact Homeowners?

There are a couple of ways that homeowners will be affected by the new SEER standards:

You will save money.

About 76 million US homes use central air, and 13 million use heat pumps. Once the new standards go into effect, the United States Department of Energy has determined (https://www.eia.gov/consumption/residential/) that those households collectively will reduce their energy bills by $2.5 - $12 billion over the next 30 years. 

The values that measure a unit or system's efficiency are changing.

"SEER" as you know it will no longer exist as measurement of an HVAC system's efficiency. This will be completely replaced by "SEER2". The values are also changing.  For example, 14 SEER will become 13.4 - 14.3 SEER2. 16 SEER will become 15.2-15.4 SEER2. Keep in mind that, just because the number is smaller does not mean you are losing efficiency. In fact, quite the opposite, the new standards are increasing efficiency significantly.

 

North Region Regulations

Compliance will be determined by a system's manufacture date. Equipment built prior to January 1, 2023 - You can still buy it and have it installed regardless of regulations. 13 SEER inventory will continue to be sold while supplies last. Any equipment built after January 1, 2023 has to abide by the new regulations.

South & Southwest Region Regulations

After January 1, 2023, no equipment can be purchased or installed if it doesn’t meet the new standards.

Those yellow EnergyGuide labels will change!

Products that are compliant with the new 2023 regulations will have an updated EnergyGuide label that includes ratings for SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2. Please review the graphic to see what the new SEER2 regulations will be in your region.

There may be equipment shortages and order delays

While manufacturers and dealers are working to get everything ready, you should probably expect equipment shortages and shipment delays while the transition to the new equipment is ongoing. We will do our best to fulfill orders during this time, but we may have to substitute certain models as stock becomes depleted. 

 

What products will SEER2 Regulations impact?

The new regulations will affect all HVAC equipment but the major changes are mainly happening with air conditioning condensers, heat pump condensers, air handlers, package units, evaporator coils, and mini splits.

How will this change affect purchasing from The AC Outlet?

We will continue to offer the current 14-18 Seer models while supplies last; however, manufacturers have begun phasing out these “older” models as of July of 2022. Once they are gone, they are gone.

14 -18 SEER cooling only condensers and certain air handlers (including but not limited to GSX14, GSX16, GSXC16, GSXC18, ARUF, ASPT, RA14, RA16, RH1P, RH1T, RF1P, RF1T, RBHP) will no longer be available after January 1, 2023 and will most likely be completely unavailable by late November or early December.

14 -18 SEER heat pumps will begin their phase-out period in Q1 of 2023. Expect to see shortages of the following series of heat pumps beginning at the beginning of 2023: GSZ14, GSZ16, GSZC16, GSZC18, RP14, RP15

Package units will also be affected and are already in the process of transitioning to newer models. The following series will become completely unavailable before the end of 2023: GPC14, GPH14, GPG14, RSPM, RQPM, RACA

The good news is that we are already offering the newer SEER2 models on our online store, so feel free to browse the new line of products!

This will also affect returns at The AC Outlet

Please be advised that, as the transition to the new SEER2 equipment rolls out over the course of the rest of the year, we will be implementing a “no returns” policy on the older equipment. As of September 15th, 2022, the following model series are NO LONGER ELIGIBLE for return:

RUUD: RA14, RA16, RH1P, RH1T, RF1P, RF1T, RBHP, RSPM, RQPM, RACA,

As of September 30th, 2022, the following model series are NO LONGER ELIGIBLE for return:

GOODMAN & DIRECT COMFORT: GSX13, GSX14, GSX16, GSXC16, GSXC18, GSZ14, GSZ16, GSZC16, GSZC18, CAPF3137B6, CAPF3743C6, CHPF, GPC14, GPC15, GPH14, GPH16, GPG14. GPG16, ARUF, AWUF, ASPT

YORK, LUXAIRE & GUARDIAN: YCE, YCG, AP, AE, AVC, AVV, PCE, PCH, TC4, TC7, YHE, RAC14

OXBOX: J4AC4, J4AC6, J4AH4P, J4AH4E

The above list will grow as the year closes out. Returns do not apply to equipment damaged in transit, however, please be aware that if an older unit does get damaged, it will be possible that a replacement may not be available.