Air Conditioner Test Rules Pushed Back by Energy Dept
Published Date: 3/20/2025
Rule
Summary
The Department of Energy is pushing back the start date for new testing rules on central air conditioners and heat pumps from March 21 to May 20, 2025. This delay gives everyone more time to review and comment on the changes, which aim to improve energy efficiency testing. If you make or sell these units, expect to adjust your testing by May and keep an eye on potential cost or compliance impacts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Compliance Date Remains July 7, 2025
Although the effective date is delayed to May 20, 2025, the rule’s compliance date remains July 7, 2025. If you manufacture or certify these units, you must meet the rule’s compliance requirements by July 7, 2025.
Concerns About Controls Verification Procedure (CVP)
Several manufacturers and trade groups flagged the new controls verification procedure (CVP) as potentially requiring product redesign and imposing heavy testing costs; AHRI asked DOE to defer CVP enforcement until tolerances are supported by test data and estimated that analysis could take until July 2026. Commenters asked DOE to delay or exercise enforcement discretion for the CVP.
Effective Date Delayed to May 20, 2025
If you make or sell central air conditioners or heat pumps, the rule’s effective date and the incorporation-by-reference approval have been delayed to May 20, 2025 (the previous delay had set March 21, 2025). This gives manufacturers and other stakeholders an extra 60 days before the rule is effective.
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Key Dates
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