New Products That Meet 2023 Efficiency Standards

EL22XPV

High-efficiency, digitally-enabled, variable-capacity heat pump. With efficiencies of up to 22.0 SEER2 and 9.0 HSPF2, the EL22XPV can deliver significant energy savings. In fact, it can help cut your energy bills by several hundred dollars per year. It may even help you qualify for energy rebates. ENERGY STAR® Certified. Watch the EL22XPV product overview to learn more.

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EL23XCV

High-efficiency, digitally-enabled, variable-capacity air conditioner. With efficiencies of up to 22.4 SEER2, the EL23XCV can deliver significant energy savings. In fact, it can help cut homeowner energy bills by several hundred dollars per year. It may even help homeowners qualify for energy rebates. ENERGY STAR® Certified. Watch the EL23XCV product overview to learn more.

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EL17XC1

Mid-efficiency, single-stage air conditioner. With efficiencies up to 17.00 SEER and 16.20 SEER2, the EL17XC1 can deliver substantial energy savings. In fact, it can help cut homeowner energy bills by several hundred dollars per year. It may even help homeowners qualify for energy rebates. ENERGY STAR® Certified. Watch the EL17XC1 product overview to learn more.

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ML17XC1

Standard-efficiency, single-stage air conditioner. The ML17XC1 offers energy efficiencies of up to 17.00 SEER and 16.20 SEER2, delivering comfort and energy savings at a more affordable price. ENERGY STAR® Certified. Watch the ML17XC1 product overview to learn more.

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ML18XC2

Mid-efficiency, two-stage air conditioner. The ML18XC2 offers energy efficiencies of up to 18.00 SEER and 17.10 SEER2, delivering comfort and energy savings at a more affordable price. ENERGY STAR® Certified. Watch the ML18XC2 product overview to learn more.

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EL17XP1

Mid-efficiency, single-stage heat pump. With efficiencies of up to 17.00 SEER and 9.60 HSPF, equivalent to 16.20 SEER2 and 8.20 HSPF2, the EL17XP1 can deliver significant energy savings. In fact, it can help cut homeowner energy bills by several hundred dollars per year. It may even help homeowners qualify for energy rebates. ENERGY STAR® Certified.

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ML17XP1

Mid-efficiency, single-stage heat pump. The ML17XP1 offers energy efficiencies of up to 17.00 SEER and 9.60HSPF, equivalent to 16.20 SEER2 and 8.20HSPF2, delivering comfort and energy savings at a more affordable price. ENERGY STAR® Certified.

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Changes to Minimum Efficiency Standards

Testing to a Higher Standard

To comply With a new, more stringent testing protocol for reporting efficiency ratings, Manufacturers are required to:

  • Re-test equipment to the new efficiency rating test requirements known as the "M1 Standard"
  • Publish equipment efficiency ratings using the new efficiency metrics of SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2.

Compared to the current test procedure, the new test procedure increases the external static pressure from 0.1-0.3 ESP to O.5 ESP to better reflect field conditions. For heat pumps, a more representative heating load line will also be implemented. Since the new testing requirements are more stringent, in 2023, there will be new metrics and nomenclature — SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2.

Efficiency Comparison

new hvac efficiency standards comparison chart

Minimum Efficiency

North & Canada Southwest South
Product Class SEER2 HSPF2 SEER2 EER2 HSPF2 SEER2 HSPF2
Air Conditioners (≤ 3.5 ton) 13.4 14.3 11.7* 14.3
Air Conditioners (≥ 4 ton) 13.4 13.8 11.2* 13.8
Heat Pumps 14.3 7.5 14.3 7.5 14.3 7.5
Implementation Date Manufacture by 12/31/22 Install by 1/1/23 Install by 1/1/23
*9.8 EER2 if SEER2 ≥ 15.2
North & Canada
Product Class SEER2 HSPF2
Air Conditioners
(≤ 3.5 ton)
13.4
Air Conditioners
(≥ 4 ton)
13.4
Heat Pumps 14.3 7.5
Implementation Date Manufacture by 12/31/22
Southwest
Product Class SEER2 EER2 HSPF2
Air Conditioners
(≤ 3.5 ton)
14.3 11.7*
Air Conditioners
(≥ 4 ton)
13.8 11.2*
Heat Pumps 14.3 7.5
Implementation Date Install by 1/1/23
*9.8 EER2 if SEER2 ≥ 15.2
North & Canada
Product Class SEER2 HSPF2
Air Conditioners
(≤ 3.5 ton)
13.4
Air Conditioners
(≥ 4 ton)
13.4
Heat Pumps 14.3 7.5
Implementation Date Manufacture by 12/31/22

Navigating regulatory changes in the North Region.

The DOE is changing minimum HVAC efficiency requirements for split-system air conditioners and split-system heat pumps. Also included are changes to Efficiency Rating Metrics M1 Standard for split-system air conditioners, split-system heat pump and packaged units. For the Northern US and Canada, manufacturers must meet new regulations for all split-system heat pumps and split-system air conditioners by Jan 1, 2023. However, products manufactured prior to Jan 1, 2023 may be installed indefinitely.

Navigating regulatory changes in the North Region.

Map highlighting hvac regulatory changes in the northern U.S. and Canada

Southwest Region standards updates.

Map of U.S. highlighting efficiency standards change in the southwest region

Southwest Region standards updates.

The Southwest Region has an enforcement timeline for split system air conditioners which allows no installs after Jan 1, 2023 of units which do not meet the new standard. However, split-system heat pumps, single packaged air conditioners and single packaged heat pumps manufactured before Jan 1, 2023 may be installed indefinitely. HVAC Efficiency Rating Metrics will also change for split-system air conditioners, split-system heat pump and packaged units. Get the Southwest Guide for details on these HVAC efficiency standard changes.

Southeast regulatory change updates.

The Southeast Region enforcement timeline for split system air conditioners (mini splits included) allows no installs after Jan 1, 2023 of units which do not meet the new efficiency standard. Split-system heat pumps, single packaged air conditioners and single packaged heat pumps manufactured before Jan 1, 2023 may be installed indefinitely. New HVAC efficiency rating changes will also go into effect.

Southeast regulatory change updates.

Map of U.S. highlighting efficiency standards update in the southeast region

HVAC Efficiency Standards FAQs

First, we will get a new minimum efficiency standard for split AC and HPs. Second, we will have a new test procedure that will create new efficiency ratings for SEER, EER, and HSPF. Third, we will have updated energy guide labels to display the new efficiency ratings. Finally, for air conditioners in the south and southwest, we will have the first install by mandate that will not allow us to continue to sell products that were built prior to the effective date of the standard.

About every six years, the Department of Energy evaluates energy conservation standards for most of the appliances you have in your home or those in commercial buildings. When DOE evaluates the need for a new standard, they decide whether there are significant national energy savings if the standard is increased

New minimum efficiency standards for split-system air conditioners and split-system heat pumps will increase approximately 0.5 to 1.0 SEER and 0.6 HSPF. Packaged unit minimum efficiencies will remain unchanged. More detailed information, by region, is available on Lennox's 2023 Regional Standards flyer.

Known as the “M1 Standard”, all manufacturers are required to re-test equipment to the new efficiency rating test requirements and publish equipment efficiency ratings using the new efficiency metrics of SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2. Compared to the current test procedure the new test procedure increases the external static pressure from 0.1-0.3 ESP to 0.5 ESP to better reflect field conditions, for heat pumps a more representative heating load line will also be implemented. Since the new testing requirements are more stringent, in 2023, there will be new metrics and nomenclature

All units will either need to be phased out if they don't meet the new minimum efficiencies or they will need to have all qualifying system matches re-rated to the new efficiency rating test requirements.

In the North, any of the 13ACX, XC13, 16ACX, XC21, ML14XP1, ML16XP1, EL16XP1, 16HPX and XP21 built prior to the end of 2022 can be sold and installed in 2023 but all will be phased out at some point in early 2023

In the South and Southwest, any of the ML14XP1, ML16XP1, EL16XP1, 16HPX and XP21 built prior to the end of 2022 can be sold and installed in 2023 but all will be phased out at some point in early 2023. However, the ML14XC1, EL16XC1, 16ACX and XC21 will be phased out on December 31, 2022 and will not be able eligible for sale or installation on or after January 1, 2023

ML17XC1, EL17XC1 and ML18XC2 in Late Summer 2022. ML17XP1 and EL17XP1 in Fall 2022.

The new air conditioners will be approximately 10-15% more than the ML14XC1, EL16XC1 and 16ACX. The new heat pumps will be approximately 20-25% more than the ML14XP1 and EL15XP1.

This price increase is due to a more efficient compressor, a more efficient fan motor, a larger coil and cabinet size, and a higher refrigerant charge to achieve the higher efficiency.

There is training available on HVAC Learning Solutions that can easily be found by searching for “2023 Regional Standards”. One option is a brief overview (15 minutes) with some questions at the end of each section and the other is a more detailed training (20 minutes) with no questions included.

For information regarding if HVAC equipment qualifies for the 25C tax credit, please visit HVAC Federal Tax Credits.

2023 Regional Standards Compliance Training

This training will not only explain the changes ahead but is intended to help you prepare through awareness of important considerations throughout 2022.

2023 Regional Standards Dealer Overview

In this training, we will review the changes in minimum efficiency standards, new efficiency ratings, and finally the impact on air conditioner and heat pump product lines.