These requirements are not yet in effect. They will come into effect on 9 October 2025.
Energy Efficiency Regulations
Regulatory definition
Split-system central air conditioner, three-phase central air conditioner that is a split-system with a cooling capacity of less than 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h).
Compliance date
Manufactured on or after January 1, 2026, for three-phase split system central air conditioners
For models manufactured prior, refer to the Regulations
Early compliance (effective from October 9, 2025, to December 31, 2025)
A split system central air conditioner that is manufactured on or after January 1, 2025, and before January 1, 2026, is deemed to satisfy the requirements in the Energy Efficiency Regulations (sections 134 and 135) if it satisfies the requirements that will apply to the split system central three-phase air conditioners manufactured on or after January 1, 2026.
Testing standard
10 C.F.R. Appendix F1
Energy efficiency regulations by province
Some provinces also have their own energy efficiency regulations for many of the federally regulated products – find out which ones!
Energy efficiency standard
Energy performance standard for split-system air conditioners and heat pumps under 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h)
| Energy-using product | Energy performance standard |
|---|---|
| Split-system central air conditioners, other than those that are space-constrained or small-duct and high-velocity | SEER 2 ≥ 13.4 |
| Split-system central air conditioners that are small-duct and high-velocity | SEER 2 ≥ 13.0 |
| Split-system central heat air conditioners, other than those that are space-constrained | SEER 2 ≥ 12.7 |
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 as determined in accordance with 10 C.F.R. Appendix F1.
Btu/h = British thermal units per hour
kW = kilowatts
W = watts
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
- split system, other than space-constrained or small-duct and high-velocity;
- small-duct and high-velocity split-system; or
- space-constrained split-system
- Type of split system
- Single split system (non-ducted)
- Single split system (ducted)
- Multi-Head Mini-Split (all non-ducted)
- Multi-Head Mini-Split (all ducted)
- Multi-Head Mini-Split (mixed-ducted and non-ducted)
- Multi-Split, Multi-Circuit (all non-ducted)
- Multi-Split, Multi-Circuit (all ducted)
- Multi-Split, Multi-Circuit (mixed-ducted and non-ducted)
- cooling capacity in kW (Btu/h)
- seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER 2)
- phase of electric current
Sign in to the Compliance Regulatory Energy Efficiency Database (CREED) to download and submit an energy efficiency report for this product.
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.