# 2024-30852: Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps 2024-30852, Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps, is a Federal Register rule from an unnamed agency published 2025-01-07, effective 2025-02-06; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-30852 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2024-30852 - Title: Energy Conservation Program: Test Procedure for Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps - Type: Rule - Agencies: unknown - Citation: unknown - Published: 2025-01-07 - Effective: 2025-02-06 - Comments close: not stated - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: none - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## Summary Starting February 6, 2025, new testing rules for central air conditioners and heat pumps kick in to make sure they’re measured with the latest industry standards. Manufacturers must use these updated tests by July 7, 2025, which include fresh ways to check energy efficiency and standby power use. This means better info for buyers and could lead to smarter, more energy-saving products down the line. ## Abstract This final rule amends the Federal test procedure for central air conditioners and heat pumps ("CAC/HPs") to incorporate by reference the latest versions of the applicable industry standards. Specifically, DOE is incorporating by reference the latest version of the relevant industry consensus test standard, AHRI 210/240-2024 (I-P) for the current test procedure for CAC/HPs ("appendix M1") for measuring the current cooling and heating metrics--seasonal energy efficiency ratio 2 ("SEER2") and heating seasonal performance factor 2 ("HSPF2"). DOE is incorporating by reference the new industry consensus test standard, AHRI 1600-2024 (I-P), for a new test procedure ("appendix M2") for CAC/HPs that adopts two new metrics--seasonal cooling and off-mode rating efficiency ("SCORE") and seasonal heating and off-mode rating efficiency ("SHORE"). Testing to the SCORE and SHORE metrics would not be required until such time as compliance is required with any amended energy conservation standard based on the new metrics. Additionally, DOE is amending certain provisions of DOE's regulations related to representations and enforcement for CAC/HPs. ## Effects PRIA read - Manufacturers must use updated tests by July 7, 2025: cost, low. If you make central air conditioners or heat pumps, you must use the amended Federal test procedure (which incorporates AHRI 210/240-2024 into appendix M1) for product testing starting July 7, 2025. The rule itself is effective February 6, 2025. - Appendix M1 won’t change ratings or testing costs: benefit, low. DOE determined the amendments to appendix M1 (incorporating AHRI 210/240-2024) will not alter measured efficiency, will not require retesting or recertification solely because of the change, and will not increase the cost of testing. Representations based on the amended appendix M1 must be used sta… - New appendix M2 adds SCORE and SHORE metrics: mixed, medium. DOE established a new appendix M2 that incorporates AHRI 1600-2024 and defines new metrics called SCORE and SHORE. Testing using appendix M2 (SCORE/SHORE) is not required until DOE issues a compliance date for any amended energy conservation standards that are denominated in those metrics; DOE also… - Representations must follow amended tests after 180 days: cost, low. Companies must base representations of energy use or energy efficiency on testing done under the amended appendix M1 starting 180 days after the date of publication of the test procedure final rule in the Federal Register. Amendments to representation requirements in 10 CFR 429.16 are also tied to… - Some representation requirements removed (PW,OFF): benefit, low. DOE is removing the requirement to represent the PW,OFF (off-mode power) metric in 10 CFR 429.16 for central air conditioners and heat pumps. This change is part of the updates to the appendix M1/M2 incorporations. - Federal rules now reference updated industry standards: benefit, low. DOE is incorporating by reference AHRI 210/240-2024 and AHRI 1600-2024 and related ANSI/ASHRAE standards into the Federal test procedures for central air conditioners and heat pumps to harmonize Federal and industry testing approaches. DOE says this will eliminate manufacturer burden from certifyin… ## Related documents - [2026-20736](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20736): Air Plan Approval; Michigan; Clean Data Determination for the Berrien, MI and Muskegon, MI Areas for the 2015 Ozone Standards, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20757](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20757): Schedules of Controlled Substances; Removal of Exemption Status for Inactive Butalbital Products, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20727](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20727): Medical Devices; Immunology and Microbiology Devices; Classification of the System for Detection of Nucleic Acid From Non-Viral Microorgani…, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20792](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20792): Raisins Produced From Grapes Grown in California; Order Amending Marketing Order No. 989, 2026-10-09 - [C1-2026-20019](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/C1-2026-20019): Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish Reserves in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area, 2026-10-09 - [2026-20748](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-20748): Schedules of Controlled Substances: Placement of O-Desmethyltramadol in Schedule I; Correction, 2026-10-09 ## Sources - [2024-30852 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/07/2024-30852/energy-conservation-program-test-procedure-for-central-air-conditioners-and-heat-pumps) - [2024-30852 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-01-07/pdf/2024-30852.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2024-31637, Establishment of Class E Airspace; Ashley, ND](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31637) - [Next: 2024-31142, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Child Restraint Systems, Child Restrain…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-31142) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2024-30852 (as of 2026-06-11).