Split-system central air conditioners and heat pumps

Energy Efficiency Regulations

Regulatory definition

Split-system central air conditioner, a single-phase or three-phase central air conditioner that is a split-system with a cooling capacity of less than 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h).

Split-system central heat pump, a single-phase or three-phase air-to-air central heat pump that is a split-system and that has a cooling or heating capacity of less than 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h).

Compliance date

Manufactured on or after February 3, 1995 for three-phase split system central air conditioners

Manufactured on or after December 31, 1998 for three-phase air-to-air heat pump

Manufactured on or after January 1, 2023 for split system single-phase central air conditioner

Manufactured on or after January 1, 2023 and before January 1, 2025 for split system central single-phase heat pump

For models manufactured prior, refer to the Regulations

Compliant product models

Split-system central air conditioners as listed on NRCan’s searchable database
Split-system 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 split-system air conditioners and heat pumps under 19 kW (65,000 Btu/h)

Single Phase

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 Off mode power consumption ≤ 30 W
Split-system central air conditioners that are small-duct and high-velocity	SEER 2 ≥ 12.0 Off mode power consumption ≤ 30 W
Split-system central heat air conditioners, other than those that are space-constrained	SEER 2 ≥ 11.7 Off mode power consumption ≤ 30 W
Split system central heat pumps, other than those that are small-duct and high-velocity or space-constrained	SEER 2 ≥ 14.3 HSPF 2 (Region V) ≥ 6.0 Off mode power consumption ≤ 33 W
Split-system central heat pumps that are small-duct and high-velocity	SEER 2 ≥ 12.0 HSPF 2(Region V) ≥ 4.9 Off mode power consumption ≤ 30 W
Split system 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
Split-system central air conditioners, other than those that are small-duct and high-velocity	SEER ≥ 13.0
Split-system central air conditioners that are small-duct and high-velocity	SEER ≥ 12.0
Split system central heat pumps, other than those that are small-duct and high-velocity	SEER ≥ 14.0 HSPF (Region V) ≥ 7.1
Split system central heat pumps that are small-duct and high-velocity	SEER ≥ 12.0 HSPF (Region V) ≥ 6.3

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 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 as determined 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 with Canadian levels for heat pumps, HSPF V is equivalent to HSPF IV/1.15 (three-phase only)

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)
• off mode power consumption, in watts
• phase of electric current
• cooling capacity in kW (Btu/h)
• heating capacity at 8.3°C (47°C) in kW (Btu/h) (if a heat pump) heating 
• 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°C (5°C), was included in the calculation of the heating seasonal performance factor 2 for Region V
  • if H4 was conducted, heating capacity at -15°C in kW (Btu/h)
  • if H4 was conducted, coefficient of performance (COP) at -15°C
• seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER/SEER 2)
• heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF/ HSPF 2) and the region for the factor (if a heat pump)
• the stage type the product has, namely, single-stage or multi-stage (if a heat pump)
• the system the product has, namely, single-stage or multi-stage

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.