New Federal Efficiency Standards Affect the Price of Heat Pumps
The controversial air conditioning standards known as 13 SEER
(Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) went into effect in January 2006 after a prolonged battle between regulators and the air conditioning industry.
According to the Department of Energy, the new standard will increase energy efficiency of new air conditioning units by 30 percent. The current standard is 10 SEER. Industry representatives, including electric utilities, supported an increase to 12 SEER, or a 20 percent increase in efficiency. This would have promoted energy conservation while remaining economically justifiable to consumers. However, the new standards will mean that consumers will need to plan on paying more for new air conditioners.
“The 13 SEER standard does indeed save energy,” said John Holt, manager of transportation and fuels for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), “but it may not necessarily save the consumer much money.”
Holt said that typical air conditioners that comply with the 13 SEER would be more expensive, about $335 more than today’s
average price, and that the added expense of a new air conditioner would be repaid in about 10 years.
“A lower standard, such as 12 SEER would have increased energy efficiency, and the payback time would have been sooner,” said Holt.
The controversial air conditioning standards known as 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) went into effect in January 2006 after a prolonged battle between regulators and the air conditioning industry.
According to the Department of Energy, the new standard will increase energy efficiency of new air conditioning units by 30 percent. The current standard is 10 SEER. Industry representatives, including electric utilities, supported an increase to 12 SEER, or a 20 percent increase in efficiency. This would have promoted energy conservation while remaining economically justifiable to consumers. However, the new standards will mean that consumers will need to plan on paying more for new air conditioners.
“The 13 SEER standard does indeed save energy,” said John Holt, manager of transportation and fuels for the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), “but it may not necessarily save the consumer much money.”
Holt said that typical air conditioners that comply with the 13 SEER would be more expensive, about $335 more than today’s average price, and that the added expense of a new air conditioner would be repaid in about 10 years.
“A lower standard, such as 12 SEER would have increased energy efficiency, and the payback time would have been sooner,” said Holt.
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