Arkansas HVACR NewsMagazine March 2022

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units require 14 based on the old rating methodology. This is too complex in narrative form. Let’s look at a chart.

SEER 2

SEER 2 ?? Are we going backwards? No, is not a new rating. It is a new way to rate and that generates a new rating. OK, semantics. January 2023 brings a new generation of equipment that must comply with EPA’s new method of rating. In the past, the ratings were calculated based on 0.1 IWC static on the fan. The new standard uses 0.5 IWC . Don’t know about you but I never realized that. In fact, how it was ever set on the 0.1 is a mystery? It was based on a lab test. I assume that it did not have an evaporator coil or ductwork. I don’t know but it created an unrealistic set of data. Someone woke up and said, “This is crazy” Wel l, maybe they did not say that; but, they did realize that 0.5 was much closer to real life and that a static pressure of 0.5 would result in a higher cost of operating the fan. That would then result in a lower EER / SEER. Thus, we have a new method of rating — SEER 2. It’s the new SEER 2 rating that requires a higher rating to achieve the goal of reducing the cost of operation. We learned to live with new ratings for many years — from 10 to 12 to 13 to 14. The new old fashion method of rating now requires a SEER of 15. But not exactly. That applies to AC and heat pump systems smaller than 45,000 Btu. For AC systems larger or equal to 45,000 Btu, it requires 14.5 based on the old rating method. All AC package

The old, “legacy”, SEER methodology is listed under SEER. The new methodology, SEER 2, is listed in the next column. The SEER 2 is less because it takes the higher, more realistic, fan pressure into account. You’ll also notice that Heat Pumps have a different level. OK, OK, OK!! This is no big deal except for one “CAN OF WORMS” and it is a big one. The transition from legacy to new; i.e. SEER to SEER 2 is based on date of install, not date of manufacture. This means any equipment that does not meet the new levels of efficiency cannot be installed after January 1, 2023. Big Problem. Here is my suggestion to avoid getting stuck: • Eliminate ALL pre-SEER2 stock before 2023 • Submit bids for pre-SEER2 stock only if they can be installed before 2023 • Have an equipment up or out clause for jobs that are close to 2023 This transition is fraught with potential bites in the backside and you must be aware and careful not to get stuck with equipment that you cannot install.