NEW GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS ON SEER AFFECTING CORPUS CHRISTI, TX
FEDERAL RESTRICTION ON HOME AIR CONDITIONERS
While it’s still 3 years away, a new government rule is already beginning to impact HVAC companies like our team at Tommy Cool Air here in Corpus Christi, TX. And at some point over the next several years, it will affect you.
Air conditioners have always had an impact on energy use and the environment. For this reason, these systems face several federal regulations. From the type of refrigerant that can be used in them to how the units are made, the government has regulated air conditioners for decades. The rules on home air conditioners sometimes change, and are about to change yet again.
How will this new change impact you, your home, and your wallet?
FIRST THING TO KNOW: SEER
Understanding what this regulation change is regarding efficiency requirements for air conditioners starts with knowing what the SEER rating is.
SEER = Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is a rating of efficiency for air conditioners. The SEER number for an AC unit indicates its energy efficiency. The higher the number, the more efficient it is.
TEXAS AC FACTS: Typically, the AC systems operating in homes have a SEER rating between 10 – 20. For those of you with much older air conditioners, you may have a lower SEER-rated unit. And those with newer ACs may have even have higher SEER-rated systems.
For decades, the government has set mandates for how low of a SEER rating is allowed. In 1975, the U.S. Department of Energy (EPA) set the first standards for the appliances and various equipment in your home. Then the EPA set it’s first SEER rating standards in 1987.
It’s important to note that the SEER rating standards often varied from state to state. Why? The temperature and climate of the different regions across the United States can be widely different. Those factors lead to determining what minimum SEER level your AC should have.
TEXAS AC REQUIREMENT FACTS: For all of us in Texas, the current federal requirement for AC systems to have a SEER rating of at least 14.
This SEER 14 minimum rating for home air conditioners in our region began in 2015. And soon, just 8 years after the last change, the EPA is raising the SEER requirement again.
IS YOUR CURRENT AC LOWER THAN SEER 15?
Don’t worry. You don’t have to suddenly get it replaced, not now and not even before 2023. The raised SEER requirement that is coming is only for new AC units that are getting installed. If your AC is older with a lower rating, you will not be forced to get it replace with a newer, more efficient unit (although there are many reasons why you should consider doing just that).
As we mentioned, a lot of homeowners have older air conditioners with a SEER rating of as low as 10 right now. And that is despite the current SEER requirement for our area being 14. If you were to get a new AC installed this year, you would only be able to purchase one with a SEER of 14 or higher. And if you were to get a new AC installed in or after 2023, you would have to get one with a rating of at least SEER 15.
The new change to the SEER minimum coming in 2023 will not force you to have to do something immediately.
WHO IS FIRST AFFECTED BY THE 2023 SEER CHANGE?
It’s mostly us, the AC companies. Beginning in 2023, Tiger Heating & Air, along with every heating and air conditioning company in our Texas region, can no longer install an air conditioning unit with a SEER rating of 14 or less. The new federal regulation means all home air conditioners we install will be SEER 15 or higher.
Because our climate varies widely across the country, it’s a different situation in other states than for the Texas AC requirement. For HVAC companies in states further north, they do not have as high of requirements. Our northern friends will only be able to install air conditioners with a minimum rating of SEER 14 starting in 2023.
HOW WILL YOU BE AFFECTED?
To put it simply, you likely won’t be affected by this regulation change. This SEER 15 rule will only be a potential issue for homeowners replacing a cooling system on or after January 1st, 2023. Even then, the raised SEER standards will not likely impact you significantly.
HVAC technology has come a long way over recent years. Not only do you have a lot of different cooling systems to choose from, you have great and affordable options to increase your energy efficiency.
If your current AC breaks down and you do need one in 2023, there is a good chance that you will not even consider a system that is less than SEER 15. For not much of a price difference, you can buy an air conditioner with a high SEER rating that runs more efficiently and puts out more reliably cool air.
Rarely does a homeowner in Corpus Christi choose a SEER 14 (or less) air conditioner. When you hire Tiger for a professional AC installation, we’ll provide you all the information you need to consider the options of different systems. We will help you to determine the AC that is right for your home.
Why do most people already choose cooling systems with a high SEER? One reason people decide upon a higher SEER rating is that it saves them money. Your energy bills be significantly reduced with a more efficient unit. Over time, you’ll see that how much you save on energy bills may make up for the cost of a new unit.
BOTTOM LINE: THE IMPACT OF THE 2023 SEER 15 RATING CHANGE
As we’ve explained, homeowners across the Corpus Christi area will face minimal impact with this upcoming regulation change. If you are working with a trusted, professional AC company, they’ll explain why a higher SEER rating is beneficial. This increased efficiency standard may force those who are reluctant to pay a little more for a better system.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration states that these increased standards for SEER will add up to a savings of $2.5 billion to $12.2 billion on energy bills during the first 30 years that the 2023 regulatory change takes affect.
STILL CONFUSED ABOUT AC SEER 15 RULES AFFECTING CORPUS CHRISTI?
Give us a call! Our Tommy Cool Air is knowledgable on all the rules and restrictions regarding residential and commercial air conditioning systems. We are always happy to make sure homeowners know and understand anything that could affect them and their home. Call us at (361) 371-7541 or send us a message online, and we will address any questions you have.
