Single package central air conditioners and heat pumps

Energy Efficiency Regulations

Regulatory definition

Single package central air conditioner, a single-phase or three-phase central air conditioner that is a single package unit and that has a cooling capacity of less than 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h). It does not include a single package vertical air conditioner.

Single package central heat pump, a single-phase or three-phase air-to-air central heat pump that is a centrally ducted single package unit and has a cooling or heating capacity of less than 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h). It does not include a single package vertical heat pump.

Compliance date

Manufactured on or after January 1, 2023 for single package central air conditioners (single-phase and three-phase)

Manufactured on or after January 1, 2023 for single package central heat pumps (three-phase)

Manufactured on or after January 1, 2023 and before January 1, 2025 for single package central heat pumps (single-phase)

For models manufactured prior, refer to the Regulations

Compliant product models

Single package central air conditioners as listed on NRCan’s searchable database
Single package heat pumps as listed on NRCan’s searchable database

Testing standard

CAN/CSA-C656-14 for three-phase models

10 C.F.R. Appendix M1 for single-phase models

Energy efficiency standard

Energy performance standard for single package central air conditioners and single package central heat pumps under 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h)

Single Phase

Energy-using product	Energy performance standard
Single package central air conditioners, other than those that are space-constrained	SEER 2 ≥ 13.4 Off mode power consumption ≤ 30 W
Single package central air conditioners that are space-constrained	SEER 2 ≥ 11.7 Off mode power consumption ≤ 30 W
Single package central heat pumps, other than those that are space-constrained	SEER 2 ≥ 13.4 HSPF 2 (Region V) ≥ 5.4 Off mode power consumption ≤ 33 W
Single package central heat pumps that are space-constrained	SEER 2 ≥ 11.9 HSPF 2 (Region V) ≥ 5.0 Off mode power consumption ≤ 33 W

Three-phase

Energy-using product	Energy performance standard
Single package central air conditioners, other than those that are space-constrained	SEER ≥ 14.0
Single package central air conditioners that are space constrained	SEER ≥ 12.0
Single package central heat pumps, other than those that are space-constrained	SEER ≥ 14.0 HSPF (Region V) ≥ 7.0
Single package central heat pumps that are space-constrained	SEER ≥ 12.0 HSPF (Region V) ≥ 6.4

Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (2) – the total cooling of a central air conditioner or heat pump in Btu during its normal annual usage period for cooling, divided by the electric power usage in watt-hours during the same period in accordance with CAN/CSA-C656-14/10 C.F.R. Appendix M1

• SEER = CAN/CSA-C656-14
• SEER 2 = 10 C.F.R. Appendix M1

Heating seasonal performance factor (2) (Region V) – the total heating output of a heat pump during its normal annual usage period for heating, divided by the total electric power input in watt-hours during the same time period in accordance with CAN/CSA-C656-14/10 C.F.R. Appendix M1

• HSPF = CAN/CSA-C656-14
• HSPF 2 = 10 C.F.R. Appendix M1

Note: To compare U.S. energy efficiency levels for heat pump with Canadian levels, HSPF V is equivalent to HSPF IV/1.15 (three-phase only)

kW = kilowatts
Btu/h = British thermal units per hour

Energy efficiency report requirements

• name of product
• brand name
• model number
• manufacturer
• name of the certification body or province whose verification mark will be on the product or its package
• whether a mathematical model as defined in the Regulations was used to generate any of the information provided below
• Air-Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) classification type
• type
  • single package, other than space-constrained, or
  • space-constrained single package
• off mode power consumption, in watts
• phase of electric current
• cooling capacity in kW (Btu/h)
• heating capacity at 8.3℃ (47℉) in kW (Btu/h) (if a heat pump)
• information that indicates whether the product is through-the-wall
• for other than through-the-wall products, information that indicates whether the product is small-duct and high-velocity
• information that indicated whether the product is space constrained
• information that indicates whether the results from the very low temperature heating test (H4), if conducted at -15℃ (5℉), was included in the calculation of the heating seasonal performance factor 2 for Region V
  • if H4 was conducted, heating capacity at -15℃ in kW (Btu/h)
  • if H4 was conducted, coefficient of performance (COP) at -15℃
• seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER/SEER 2)
• heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF/HSPF 2) and the region for the factor (if a heat pump)
• stage type the product has, namely, single-stage or multi-stage (if a heat pump)

Download the energy efficiency reporting template.

This document does not constitute part of the Energy Efficiency Act (Act) or its associated regulations.  This document is an administrative document that is intended to facilitate compliance by the regulated party with the Act and its associated regulations.  This document is not intended to provide legal advice regarding the interpretation of the Act or its associated regulations. If a regulated party has questions about their legal obligations or responsibilities under the Act or its associated regulations, they should seek the advice of legal counsel.