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New Regulations Beginning January 23, 2006
Frequently Asked Questions
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My current HVAC system is rated less than 13 SEER. Must I replace
it? |
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A: |
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No. You may keep
your current system as long as it continues to meet your needs.
Replacement parts for 10 and 12 SEER systems will be available for
years to come.
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Can I still buy an air conditioner or heat pump rated below 13 SEER? |
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For now, yes. However, as of January 23, 2006, manufacturers
will no longer be allowed to produce air conditioners and heat pumps
under the minimum NAECA rating. Therefore, new or replacement
equipment rated 10 or 12 SEER will only be available as long as
manufacturer, distributor and dealer inventories allow. |
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Is higher SEER equipment more expensive? |
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Initially, yes. However, it's important to consider overall
value. The improved energy efficiency of systems rated 13 SEER
or higher will save you money in the long run. |
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My HVAC system includes both outdoor and indoor sections. Can
just one section be replaced with new higher-SEER equipment? |
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No, and this is an important consideration. In order to
achieve true NAECA-mandated energy efficiency, and to ensure system
longevity and warranty coverage, both the indoor and outdoor
sections must match. In fact, with heat pump systems, the
outdoor unit may not work at all without a matching indoor section.
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Is size an issue with higher SEER equipment? |
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A: |
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It may be. to achieve the benefits of increased every
efficiency, SEER 13 equipment requires greater heat-transfer surface
area. As a result, outdoor units are larger than before.
This could be an issue for homeowners with limited outdoor space or
size-restricted access for installation of roof-mounted units. |
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