The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is undertaking this rulemaking to satisfy the statutory requirement that, at least once every 7 years, DOE evaluate test procedures for each type of covered product, including central air conditioners and heat pumps, to determine whether amended test procedures would more accurately or fully comply with the requirements for the test procedures to not be unduly burdensome to conduct and be reasonably designed to produce test results that reflect energy efficiency, energy use, and estimated operating costs during a representative average use cycle or period of use.  (42 U.S.C. 6293(b)(1)(A))

The 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 210/2402024 (IP) 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 16002024 (IP), 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, the final rule amends certain provisions of DOE’s regulations related to representations and enforcement for CAC/HPs.