Minimum SEER Ratings for 2024 Packaged AC: 15.2 SEER2 and 11.5 EER2. Ducted split heat pump: 15.2 SEER2, 7.8 HSPF2, and 11.7 EER2. Packaged heat pump: 15.2 SEER2, 7.2 HSPF2, and 10.6 EER2. Mini-split system: 16 SEER2, 9 HSPF2, and 12 EER2.
What SEER rating qualifies for tax credit 2024? Split ducted heat pumps and packaged heat pumps must meet a SEER2 rating of 15.2 or above. Non-ducted heat pumps must meet a SEER2 rating of 16 or above.
According to the Kobie SEER Energy Savings Calculator, a 16 SEER unit uses about 13% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as a 14 SEER unit of the same size. That means that for every $100 you'd pay to run your 14 SEER unit, you could save $13 by upgrading to a 16 SEER unit.
Efficiency ratings are regional, so the new HVAC regulations for 2024 depend on where you live. New air conditioners in Northern regions must have a minimum SEER rating of 14. In Southern regions, the minimum SEER rating is 15 for most units.
This move technically went into effect on January 1st, 2023, so it's already been a year. Under the DOE rules, US HVAC manufactures will discontinue production of SEER 14 units, and they can no longer sell any units with that rating, either.
Starting January 1, 2025, all new residential air conditioners and heat pumps must utilize A2L refrigerants. Older refrigerants like R-410, which are likely the refrigerant used by your current system, are being phased out. These new systems are designed to have a lower global warming potential (GWP).
In general you should consider upgrading to a higher SEER if you live in a very hot climate and/or if you have a large home. The best way to see how much a higher SEER unit can save you is by checking an online SEER calculator.
If your HVAC system is nearing the end of its life, now is the time to act. By upgrading your system in 2024, you can avoid the price hikes and ensure that you have a reliable and efficient HVAC system for years to come.
The SEER rating indicates the air conditioner's efficiency when cooling, with higher ratings providing the greatest efficiency. The new minimum SEER rating of 14 in 2023 is a significant increase from the current minimum rating of 13, which has been in place since 2006.
Increased Adoption of Heat Pumps
The HVAC industry is adopting more heat pumps because of their energy efficiency and eco-friendliness. The devices, which transfer heat to warm or cool spaces, are less energy-intensive than traditional systems and offer year-round climate control.
Air Conditioner Tax Credit
You can earn 30% of the project cost or a maximum of $600 credit for installing a qualified AC unit. For split systems, ENERGY STAR-certified air conditioners with SEER2 at or above 16 are eligible. All ENERGY STAR-certified packaged systems are also eligible.
The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the AC unit is. AC units with SEER ratings of 16 or higher are considered high-efficiency systems. The best high-efficiency air conditioners have SEER ratings of 26 or higher. These AC units use less energy to cool your home, which can save you money on your energy bills.
The overall total limit for an efficiency tax credit in one year is $3,200. This breaks down to a total limit of $1,200 for any combination of home envelope improvements (windows/doors/skylights, insulation, electrical) plus furnaces, boilers and central air conditioners.
As part of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the federal government offers savings in the form of two tax credits for California homeowners in 2024. The first one concerns solar power for your home, and the second addresses HVAC energy improvements.
The CEE Advanced Tier is the highest rating that a product can achieve in terms of energy efficiency. These products represent the best of the best and are likely to be more expensive than those in lower tiers.
Understanding the 2025 Efficiency Ratings
The key changes are: SEER2: The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating, which measures cooling efficiency, is evolving into SEER2 with higher efficiency requirements. Cooling systems must score at least a SEER2 rating of 15 in most regions.
Having a higher SEER rating will save you money on energy efficiency. An 18 SEER is around 12.5% more efficient than a 16 SEER. That means for every $100 you spend to cool your home with a 18 SEER, you'll save about $12.50 more than the 16 SEER.
What refrigerant will replace R-410A in 2025? For whole-home systems, Lennox has chosen 2025 Compliant Refrigerant R-454B due to its excellent performance for ducted systems and zero ozone depletion potential. For mini-splits, we selected R-32, designed to optimize efficiency and reliability in ductless systems.
R-454B has a lower GWP than previous refrigerants, meaning it has a much lower climate impact. Trane is phasing in the transition to R-454B in 2024, starting with the adoption of R-454B refrigerant in its residential products, beginning with the XR15 SEER2 heat pump.
Depending on normal weather patterns, the best time to buy an air conditioner is in the Spring (March and April) and the best time to install a new furnace is in the fall (September and October).
R-410A PHASE-DOWN TIMELINE
We will reach a 70% decrease by 2029. In 2034, we will see 80% less R-410A being produced than it is today, and the phase-down will end in 2036 with another 5% reduction.
For example, the seer rating of 20-year old air conditioner systems is likely to be between 10 to 12 whereas a newer unit purchased this year would have an average SEER rating of 15 or more.
That means air conditioners and heat pumps with higher SEER ratings use less energy to accomplish the same level of cooling. This translates to lower electricity usage and lower electric bills for systems with higher SEER ratings.
There is a minimum SEER rating set by the Department of Energy. In northern states, it's 14 or higher, while homeowners in southern states must have a unit with a SEER of no less than 15. Cooling systems with a 14 or 15 SEER rating are considered highly efficient.