U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson in October proposed new energy-efficiency standards for residential central air conditioners and heat pumps. Over a 25-year period, the proposed standards are expected to save enough electricity to light all U.S. homes for nearly three years, according to the Department of Energy.
The proposed standards would require air conditioners to have a minimum SEER of 12 and heat pumps to have a minimum SEER of 13 and a minimum Heating Seasonal Performance Factor of 7.7. Current standards require central air conditioners to meet a minimum SEER of 10, and heat pumps to meet an HSPF of 6.8 for split-system heat pumps and 6.6 for single-package units.