Will HVAC prices go up in 2023
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Did you know that the cost of water heaters and air conditioning (HVAC) units will increase in 2023? Many homeowners and property managers may be surprised by the rising price of new water heaters and air conditioning units next year. Show First, the nation is experiencing a wave of price increases for various products and services across many industries, due to the pandemic’s impact on the global supply and distribution chain. This includes the cost of materials used in the manufacturing of HVAC units. The second reason revolves around an initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to reduce the overall energy consumption in the United States. On January 1, 2023, new regulations from the DOE will take effect, changing existing minimum efficiency standards for split-system HVACs and split-system heat pumps. Additionally, all HVAC manufacturers must comply with new testing procedures for measuring and developing efficiency ratings for HVAC units. When the stricter regulations take effect, consumers’ wallets will certainly feel the impact. To put it plainly, customers should expect to pay higher prices for HVAC systems and water heaters in 2023. Because central air and heating use a significant amount of energy, the DOE first started regulating SEER ratings in 1987. Since then, the DOE has analyzed HVAC energy consumption and efficiency across the United States by dividing the country into regions. Energy consumption is measured in SEER, which stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio and indicates the energy efficiency of an HVAC system. A higher SEER rating indicates a more efficient appliance. Older air conditioning units typically have lower SEER ratings. In the Southeast region, which includes the state of Florida, the DOE’s new minimum efficiency regulations for 2023 will increase from 14.0 to 15.0 SEER. Heat pump minimum efficiency requirements, which adhere to a national standard, will increase from 14.0 to 15.0 SEER. In addition, the new standards will require increased heating efficiency of air-source heat pumps as measured by the equipment’s heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF). The minimum HSPF will become 8.8 HSPF, as compared with the 8.2 HSPF required by the current standard that went into effect in 2015. The law also states that any air conditioning unit that does not meet the above requirements cannot be installed on or after January 1, 2023. That means, when it’s time to replace an old HVAC, homeowners will be required to buy a unit that complies with the new standards. HVAC service companies will not be allowed to install or service an HVAC unit or water heater with a 14.0 SEER rating or lower in 2023. Only 15.0 SEER units or higher meet the new 2023 federal requirements for energy efficiency. The U.S. Energy Information Administration projects that these changes will create a savings of $2.5 billion to $12.2 billion on energy bills during the first 30 years of the regulatory change. Buy Now! Avoid Price Increases from 2023 HVAC RegulationsDo you have an air conditioning or water heater that needs to be replaced? Any units bought and installed before January 1, 2023 are not subject to the new standards. If you would prefer an appliance with a 14.0 SEER rating or lower, there’s still time to act! Avoid the coming price increases of 2023 by calling Pro-Tec at 239.261.1000 or visiting ptpflorida.com to schedule an appointment today. gillettehvac.com/request-service/(opens in a new tab) Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment will take a big step forward in efficiency and eco-friendliness next year in the U.S. Two significant changes will affect heat pumps and central air conditioners beginning in 2023. Gillette Heating and Air is here to help you navigate those changes in Utah. Our qualified technicians have your back whether you need equipment maintenance, repairs, replacement, or installation. We offer solutions tailored to your unique comfort and budget needs. What Is Changing?The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will raise the minimum efficiency standards for air-source heat pumps and central air conditioners starting next year. Systems sold in the U.S. beginning Jan. 1, 2023, must meet those minimum standards. The seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) describes cooling system efficiency. The higher the number, the more efficient the unit is. The number represents the unit’s output during the cooling season divided by the amount of electricity the unit used over that same period. Currently, the efficiency baseline is 13 SEER for heat pumps and air conditioners installed in homes in the northern half of the U.S. and 14 SEER for equipment in the southern half. Next year the minimum standard goes to 14 SEER for northern states and 15 SEER for southern states. Heating EfficiencyThe minimum rating for heating efficiency also will increase for air-source heat pumps. The heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF), which describes heat pump efficiency, will increase from 8.2 to 8.8. The federal government will not require you to replace your older heat pump or air conditioner when the minimum standards change next year. However, if you decide to install new equipment in 2023, you will not be able to buy a 13 SEER model. Your new equipment must be rated 14 SEER at minimum. Your new heat pump also must carry an HSPF rating of 8.8. How You Can Save MoneyAccording to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the new standards will result in huge savings on utility costs for consumers. The agency estimates that households with air conditioners or heat pumps collectively will save $2.5 billion to $12.2 billion over the next 30 years on energy bills. If your air conditioner or heat pump is older than 15 years, consider upgrading to a high-efficiency model. New equipment offers more energy-saving features, such as two-stage and variable speed compressors and blower motors. Single-stage compressors, for example, work at capacity all the time. Two-stage and variable speed compressors operate at lower speeds and use less energy most of the time. They also can run at capacity when the temperature rises. Our Gillette Heating and Air experts can help you determine which features fit your lifestyle and comfort needs. We are proud to offer Carrier products for your Spanish Fork home. New Refrigerants in 2023The other significant HVAC change in 2023 involves the kind of refrigerant manufacturers will use in all new air conditioners and heat pumps. Since 2010, residential cooling systems have contained a refrigerant called R-410a, a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC). This refrigerant has high global warming potential and could harm the environment if it leaks from a cooling system. For that reason, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is phasing down the manufacture and importation of HFCs by 85 percent over the next 15 years. Beginning next year, new cooling systems will contain a refrigerant with a lower global warming potential. Several manufacturers, including Carrier, will build heat pumps and air conditioners compatible with R-454b. This refrigerant is more environment-friendly than its predecessors but also mildly flammable. We cannot retrofit existing equipment to use the new refrigerant. Although R-410a will be available for equipment repairs over the next few decades, no new air conditioners or heat pumps will contain R-410a beginning next year. Purchasing a new cooling system with your preferred refrigerant is all in the timing. If you want a new unit with R-410a, buy it this year. You will start saving money immediately on utility bills by upgrading to a high-efficiency system. If you prefer R-454b, called Puron Advance in Carrier products, wait until 2023. Our trained professionals can walk you through the pros and cons. Improve Your Comfort TodayUpgrade the heat pump or air conditioner in your Spanish Fork, UT, home, and start saving money on utility bills. Gillette Heating and Air is ready to help. Call us at 801-465-7760 or request service online. What does the future of HVAC look like?HVAC systems of the future will use technologies such as more geothermal heat pumps, solar power, smart thermostats, and even ice-powered air-conditioning to reduce their energy use and overall environmental impact.
What is the new refrigerant coming out in 2023?In 2010 when I started my venture into the HVAC industry, I was coming in during a time of transition. Our industry was changing from systems that had R-22 refrigerant circulating through their lines to R-410a.
What refrigerant will Trane use in 2023?Beginning next year, new cooling systems will contain a refrigerant called R-454b with a lower global warming potential. This refrigerant is more environment-friendly than its predecessors but also mildly flammable. You can rest assured our ACS Air Conditioning Services technicians know how to handle it safely.
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