ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) voluntary program that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect our climate through superior energy efficiency.
The ENERGY STAR program was established by EPA in 1992, under the authority of the Clean Air Act Section 103(g). Section103(g) of the Clean Air Act directs the Administrator to "conduct a basic engineering research and technology program to develop, evaluate, and demonstrate non–regulatory strategies and technologies for reducing air pollution."
Dear ENERGY STAR® Commercial Water Heater Stakeholders:
With this letter, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are releasing the Final Draft ENERGY STAR Test Method for Central Heat Pump Water Heater Systems and should the public have any comments we will accept them through December 19, 2024.
The EPA and DOE received many informative comments in response to the Draft 1 Test Method for Central Heat Pump Water Heater Systems and have adjusted the Final Draft Test Method in response; responses to comments can be found in note boxes throughout the Final Draft Test Method as well as in the accompanying Draft 1 Test Method Comment Response Matrix. All comments received on the Draft 1 Test Method can be found posted on the Commercial Water Heaters product development website. The following changes are reflected in the Final Draft:
- Test condition temperatures for outdoor air-source heat pumps have been adjusted to be more evenly spaced out, and an optional defrost test added.
- Indoor air-source heat pump units are defined, with a single test at 80.6°F conducted in the ducted configuration, to better represent this application.
- Additionally, separate condenser entering water temperature conditions for indoor air-source heat pump units and water-source heat pump units are included as these only require one single-pass and one multi-pass test condition.
- Evaporator test conditions for outdoor air-source heat pump units have been split up into Types A-D, differentiated by compressor cut-in and cut-out temperatures (equivalent to Types 1-4 in the ENERGY STAR Test Method to Determine Room Air Conditioner Heating Mode Performance).
- Condenser entering water temperatures varying with the evaporator entering air temperature for single-pass tests, reflecting a mix of return water and city water.
- A Water Heating Energy Efficiency Ratio (WHEER) seasonal metric has been added, applicable to all outdoor air-source heat pump units.
The EPA also received helpful comments and input to the discussion guide that will inform the updated ENERGY STAR specification. These comments will be addressed at the time EPA releases a first draft specification – currently planned for the first quarter of 2025.
Comment Submittal:
Comments on this draft may be submitted for EPA and DOE consideration to HVAC@energystar.gov no later than December 19, 2024. As a reminder, all submitted comments will be posted to the ENERGY STAR product development website unless the submitter specifically requests their respective comments remain confidential.
Please contact Abigail Daken, EPA, at Daken.Abigail@epa.gov or 202-343-9375 or Megan McNelly, ICF, at Megan.McNelly@icf.com with questions or concerns. For any questions on commercial water heater testing, please contact Julia Hegarty, DOE, at Julia.Hegarty@ee.doe.gov. Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Sincerely,
Abigail Daken, Product Manager ENERGY STAR HVAC and Water Heating
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Final Draft Test Method for Central Heat Pump Water Heater Systems
ENERGY STAR Draft 1 Test Method for Central Heat Pump Water Heater Systems Comment Response Matrix
Dear ENERGY STAR® Furnace Stakeholder or Other Interested Party:
With this letter, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is distributing the Final Draft of the Version 5.0 ENERGY STAR Furnace Specification. The EPA would like to thank the many stakeholders who have invested time and effort to contribute feedback that has informed this product specification process. Any final comments may be submitted no later than December 19, 2024, to HVAC@energystar.gov.
The EPA received many comments on the Draft 1 specification from a wide range of stakeholders. Most commenters indicated support for a specification revision in lieu of a sunset. Commenters requested a wide range of effective dates for Version 5.0, ranging from 2025 to 2032, citing reasons such as the typical timeline for ENERGY STAR specification revisions, current qualifying model availability, upcoming Department of Energy (DOE) standards effective dates, and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) incentives expiration. Several stakeholders supported the proposed 2026 effective date.
While many commenters expressed support for the proposed 97 AFUE level for gas furnaces, several requested that the EPA maintain the regional distinction and less stringent requirements in the South, noting that the cost/benefit analysis in the South does not support purchasing a higher-efficiency gas furnace because of the fewer number of heating days in the region. One commenter also provided compelling data showing limited ENERGY STAR market penetration in the South.
A more extensive summary and response to the comments received are addressed in the Comment Response Matrix.
Key elements of Final Draft specification include:
- The regional distinction for gas furnaces is maintained in the Final Draft to provide consumers in the South better consumer payback and to take into account the market landscape of furnaces in the South specifically, as shown by data that stakeholders provided with their comments.
- The performance requirements for gas furnaces are 97 AFUE for the North and 95 AFUE for the South. Seven percent of gas furnace models currently meet the 97 AFUE level, while 45% meet the 95 AFUE level. All common sizes and major manufacturers are represented in the qualifying models at both of these levels. For the North, the annual savings compared to a new standard 80 AFUE furnace are 10.4 MMBtu and for the South the annual savings are 4.2 MMBtu. EPA calculated consumer payback of 5 years and 11 years respectively, using 2023 regional gas prices. While the payback will vary greatly from market to market, a 95 AFUE level in the South will be more favorable to consumers than the 92 AFUE level several stakeholders suggested. The oil furnace 87 AFUE level remains unchanged from Draft 1.
- The effective date is July 31, 2026. EPA considers this to be an appropriate timeline based on the interest of a large number of impacted stakeholders. This date will enable the revision to become effective ahead of the manufacturing ramp up for the 2026/2027 heating season.
- The UL certification reference for oil-fired furnaces has been corrected from UL 726 to UL 727.
Comment Submittal
To the extent you have any final feedback for the EPA’s consideration, please submit written comments to HVAC@energystar.gov by December 19, 2024. All comments will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Product Development website unless the submitter requests otherwise.
As a reminder, all documents related to this process are posted to the Version 5.0 ENERGY STAR Furnaces Specification Development webpage.
Please direct any specific questions to Abigail Daken, EPA, at daken.abigail@epa.gov or 202-343-9375 and Megan McNelly, ICF, at Megan.McNelly@icf.com. For test procedure inquiries, please contact Julia Hegarty (DOE) at julia.hegarty@ee.doe.gov. Thank you for your participation in the ENERGY STAR program.
Sincerely,
Abigail Daken, Product Manager ENERGY STAR HVAC and Water Heating
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 Furnaces Final Draft Specification
ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 Furnaces Final Draft Data Package
ENERGY STAR Version 5.0 Furnaces Draft 1 Comment Response Matrix
Dear ENERGY STAR® Partners and other Stakeholders:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce the final ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 Recognition Criteria for Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs). In concert with this release, the EPA also shares the final Version 6.2 amendment to the ENERGY STAR ASHP specification. This letter outlines the criteria and amendment, both finalized as proposed to better align ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 with the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) 25C tax credit eligibility requirements and enable more effective leveraging of the widely recognized ENERGY STAR brand to communicate about qualifying models.
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 ASHP Final Recognition Criteria
Feedback received on the proposal was largely supportive. While alternate approaches for setting criteria were offered by select stakeholders, the 2025 criteria, as finalized, reasonably reflect top performance in the context of today’s market to the extent they align with the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) highest tier for ASHPs. Summaries and responses to the comments can be found in the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 & Specification Version 6.2 ASHP Comment Response Matrix.
The final 2025 ENERGY STAR Most Efficient recognition criteria for air-source heat pumps remains unchanged from the proposal, as follows:
The criteria also include a minimum 1.75 COP at 5ºF and 70% heating capacity at 5ºF compared to 47ºF requirements for cold climate heat pumps and a low ambient temperature performance backstop of 1.75 COP at 5ºF and a 45% heating capacity requirement at 5ºF compared to 47ºF for non-cold climate HPs. The installation benefits requirement has been removed. In addition to meeting the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition criteria, products must be ENERGY STAR certified by an EPA-recognized certification body.
The EPA notes that in order to recognize models as ENERGY STAR Most Efficient in 2025, additional data is needed for those not currently certified as ENERGY STAR Cold Climate. For these models, partners need to ensure they submit CVP, COP and heating capacity at 5ºF data to their certification body as soon as possible. The EPA anticipates recognition of these models in mid-January once the certification bodies have updated their systems to submit the additional data to the Agency. Currently recognized ENERGY STAR Cold Climate models that meet the 2025 criteria will automatically be recognized on the EPA website early in the new year.
Final Version 6.2 Amendment to the ENERGY STAR ASHP Specification
Comments on the proposed Version 6.2 amendment to the ENERGY STAR ASHP specification were largely supportive, with a few stakeholders recommending updates to better align the ENERGY STAR specification with tax credit eligibility. The EPA notes that the amendment, as proposed, will allow for implementation of the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria above, while ensuring an approach that follows the Guiding Principles of the program and reflect requirements established on balance with the variations in heat pump technology.
Therefore, the EPA is finalizing the following changes in the Version 6.2 amendment, as proposed:
- EER2 requirement lowered to 11.0 for split systems and 10.0 for single package systems to accommodate variable speed units which have excellent seasonal performance and, on average, do not run at full capacity during peak cooling.
- The option to use the DOE CVP, when available, instead of the ENERGY STAR CVP, for verifying low ambient performance of cold climate heat pumps.
- Reporting requirement for COP at 5ºF, Heating Capacity at 5ºF/47ºF, and CVP verification, where available, to facilitate identification of models eligible for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient.
Additionally, the EPA is clarifying in Section 3) E. of the specification that gas/electric package units need to meet all requirements for single package HPs, not just the cooling requirements, to reflect those indicated in Table 2. The Version 6.2 amendment will not impact any currently certified models. For more details on these changes, please see the ENERGY STAR ASHP Specification Version 6 webpage.
This document, along with the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 ASHP criteria, can be found here. It can also be found with the ENERGY STAR ASHP Version 6.2 amendment here.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Sincerely,
Ann Bailey, Director
ENERGY STAR Product Labeling
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Version 6.2 Air Source Heat Pump Specification
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition criteria for Air Source Heat Pumps
2025 Most Efficient & Version 6.2 Air Source Heat Pumps Comment Response Matrix
Dear ENERGY STAR® Central Air Conditioner Manufacturer or Other Interested Party:
With this letter, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing the sunset of the ENERGY STAR specification for Central Air Conditioners (CAC) effective February 1, 2026.
The EPA thanks stakeholders who submitted comments on the revised sunset proposal, released in April 2024. All written comments are posted here. The majority of feedback was positive with a wide range of commenters reiterating support for the sunset, noting the voluntary nature of the ENERGY STAR program and that homeowners will still be able to purchase CACs if they meet their needs. For those wishing to distinguish energy saving models in the future, commenters identified other useful resources such as Consortium for Energy Efficiency performance tiers and the EnergyGuide label. Some also expressed concern about the potential for continued endorsement of CACs by the ENERGY STAR program to impede them in reaching decarbonization and heat pump installation goals for residential buildings. Of these commenters, several supported the revised sunset effective date of February 1, 2026, while others advocated for the timeline as originally proposed for December 2024.
A small number of commentors remain opposed to a sunset, citing continued energy savings potential from efficient CACs and relevancy for consumers who do not have heating needs or are not good heat pump candidates. Others requested that the EPA delay the implementation of the sunset beyond February 1, 2026, citing challenges for a national transition to heat pumps, including market readiness, contractor training, and affordability of efficient heat pump technology.
As noted by several commenters, the EPA anticipates improved affordability of efficient heat pumps through IRA benefits and utility program incentives and considers the small increase in price to be marginal, given the additional heating capabilities of heat pump technology. Weighing all of the feedback on timing, the Agency concludes that, on balance, the delayed effective date of February 1, 2026, is appropriate.
All feedback in response to the CAC specification sunset proposal has been carefully considered by the EPA and is discussed further in the Comment Response Matrix that accompanies this letter.
Milestones for Sunsetting ENERGY STAR CACs
The sunset will proceed consistent with the following milestones:
- ENERGY STAR certified CACs and their brand owners will continue to be recognized at www.energystar.gov until February 1, 2026.
- No new Partnership Agreements for the CAC program will be accepted by the EPA as of July 15, 2025.
- No new CAC certifications will be accepted by the EPA as of July 15, 2025.
- Manufacturers and brand owners must stop using the ENERGY STAR name and ENERGY STAR mark in association with all CAC manufactured and services offered on or after February 1, 2026.
- In order to be in compliance by February 1, 2026, manufacturers of CACs are encouraged to remove ENERGY STAR references on web sites or in other collateral materials as these materials are reprinted or changed in the coming months. Partners are permitted to use up existing printed material, including packaging, in order to minimize waste.
Partners who have any questions or want to discuss their plans to discontinue labeling may contact HVAC@energystar.gov. In closing, the EPA appreciates the efforts of all CAC stakeholders to advance a cleaner environment through the ENERGY STAR Program and applauds your success in moving the market towards greater energy efficiency.
Sincerely,
Ann Bailey, Director
ENERGY STAR Product Labeling
Enclosures:
Central Air Conditioner Comment Response Matrix
Dear ENERGY STAR Lighting Partner or Other Interested Stakeholder:
This letter serves as a reminder that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s sunset of the ENERGY STAR specifications for Lamps (aka Light Bulbs) and Luminaires (aka Light Fixtures) takes effect December 31, 2024. Except for models certified to the Downlights V1.0 specification, all Lamp and Luminaire partners must cease use of the ENERGY STAR name and ENERGY STAR mark in association with all products, including on products, web pages, and other collateral materials as of this date.
EPA appreciates the efforts of lighting partners to advance a cleaner environment through the ENERGY STAR Program and applauds your success in moving the market towards greater energy efficiency. Please send any questions to lighting@energystar.gov. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ann Bailey, Director
ENERGY STAR Product Labeling Branch
US Environmental Protection Agency
Dear ENERGY STAR® Room Air Conditioners Brand Owner Partners and Other Interested Stakeholders:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce the simultaneous release of the ENERGY STAR Versions 6.0 and 7.0 Room Air Conditioner (RAC) Draft 1 Specifications. Version 6.0 is intended to address heating mode efficiency for room heat pumps while leaving other requirements unchanged. Version 7.0 proposes to update all requirements in response to new minimum standards going into effect in 2026. The Agency will be hosting a webinar on December 16, 2024, at 1pm ET to discuss EPA’s proposals in greater detail. The public is encouraged to submit comments on these draft proposals to the EPA no later than December 30, 2024.
In the short time since the EPA finalized Version 5.0 of the ENERGY STAR RAC specification in 2023, the room heat pump (also known as reverse cycle RAC) market has advanced, with multiple manufacturers developing efficient heat pump models able to operate at temperatures considerably lower than before. In response to the innovation in these products, the EPA and Department of Energy (DOE) developed a test procedure to determine the heating efficiency of room heat pumps based on their operating temperatures and defrost, finalized in July 2024. The ENERGY STAR RAC Version 6.0 proposal adds a heating efficiency requirement for room heat pumps in order to characterize the potential energy savings from heating in addition to the savings from cooling. Further, incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebates programs require heating mode verification through ENERGY STAR certification. By setting a heating mode efficiency requirement, the EPA will enable ENERGY STAR certified room heat pumps to become eligible for these rebates.
Version 6.0 Heating Mode Requirements
In Version 6.0, the EPA is proposing to add a heating energy efficiency ratio (HEER) requirement of 5.1 for Type 1 and Type 2 room heat pumps and 6.8 for Type 3 and Type 4. To ensure adequate performance in low ambient temperatures, the EPA is also proposing to require a 1.5 COP at 17°F and 5°F and a 70% heating capacity at 17°F and 5°F compared to 47°F for Types 3 and 4, respectively. These proposed requirements were determined in consideration of preliminary testing data provided by manufacturers and will allow for recognition of models across manufacturers introducing this technology, while ensuring that room heat pumps deliver improved performance over resistance heating. The proposed 5.1 HEER requirement for Types 1 and 2 corresponds to seasonal heating performance 1.5 times more efficient than resistance heating, using 2/3rd the energy. The 1.5 COP at 17°F and 5°F requirement for Types 3 and 4 will ensure adequate efficiency at cold temperatures, while the 70% capacity requirement will ensure the rated heating capacity more accurately reflects the heating capacity when heating load is the greatest. The EPA is also proposing to remove the optional connected criteria from the specification in Version 6.0 and instead allow reporting of connected features available for products, simplifying the process for sharing connectivity information with consumers.
For room heat pump models with heating efficiency at the levels proposed in Version 6.0, the EPA anticipates an average annual savings ranging from 276 kWh to 783 kWh for heating alone, depending on the Type. These savings are in comparison to the average energy use of electric resistance heating in homes that use portable space heaters or built-in electric appliances as their primary heating source. When also considering the cooling savings, the EPA anticipates a 0.5-year payback for Type 1 and 2 units for consumers compared to the installed price of a 2014 DOE minimum efficiency reverse cycle RAC. For Type 3 units, payback increases to 1.9 years, and for Type 4 units, payback is noticeably higher at 13.4 years. The EPA notes that for Type 4 units, the price of the baseline equipment used in the analysis, a DOE minimum RAC, is likely much lower than the actual price of the products a Type 4 room heat pump would be able to replace. Given the robust cold climate performance requirements at 5°F proposed in these ENERGY STAR RAC specification revisions, Type 4 room heat pumps would be appropriate alternatives to many primary heating and cooling products beyond RACs, such as mini-split systems, central air conditioners, boilers, or furnaces. As such, payback for Type 4 models is likely much lower when compared to other products often used in cold climate applications.
Version 7.0 Cooling and Heating Mode Requirements
The Version 7.0 proposal was developed in response to a new federal minimum standard for RACs, effective May 26, 2026, requiring an increase in the ENERGY STAR specification cooling efficiency requirements to deliver savings beyond the standard. The EPA is proposing combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER) requirements 10% above the DOE minimum for non-reverse cycle RAC product classes and 5% above the DOE minimum for room heat pump (reverse cycle RAC) product classes. The EPA recognizes that design changes to meet the upcoming standards are currently underway and anticipates the selection of products performing at these levels will expand between now and the effective date. Based on an assessment using pricing data supporting the DOE’s regulatory analysis, the EPA anticipates a payback of approximately two years for most RAC product classes with ENERGY STAR participation, compared to a 2026 federal minimum cooling efficiency model. While the estimated payback for product classes 1 and 2 is higher, prices may decrease in response to the expanded market for efficient technologies driven by the new standard, improving payback for consumers.
Given that the new minimum standards will require product redesign to increase cooling efficiency, the EPA anticipates a subsequent increase in room heat pump heating efficiency associated with the design changes. Therefore, in Version 7.0, the EPA is proposing a 5.8 HEER requirement for room heat pump Types 1 and 2 and an 8.3 HEER requirement for Types 3 and 4, in addition to increasing the COP requirements at 17°F and 5°F for Types 3 and 4, respectively, from 1.5 to 1.75. These proposed Version 7.0 low ambient temperature performance requirements would bring the ENERGY STAR RAC specification in alignment with the ENERGY STAR Cold Climate air source heat pump requirements, reflecting acceptable cold climate performance widely recognized by industry. The EPA is also proposing to add room heat pump labelling requirements to facilitate appropriate climate application across different brands, by room heat pump type.
For Type 1 and Type 2 room heat pumps meeting the proposed Version 7.0 criteria, the EPA anticipates an average annual savings of 343 kWh from heating alone, with a 1.4-year payback for consumers compared to a 2026 DOE minimum efficiency reverse cycle RAC, when also considering the savings from cooling. For Type 3 units, the EPA anticipates an average annual heating savings of 737 kWh and a 3-year payback. For Type 4 units, the EPA anticipates an average heating annual savings of 925 kWh and an 18.7-year payback. The additional considerations for calculating payback Type 4 models discussed in Version 6.0, above, also apply to the estimates in Version 7.0.
Effective Dates
The EPA is proposing a two-tiered approach to these revisions to the ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioners specification, with Version 6.0 effective nine months after finalization and Version 7.0 effective May 26, 2026, aligned with the timing of upcoming federal minimum efficiency standard effective date. While it is common for ENERGY STAR to adopt new minimum standards in advance of their effective date as a leadership program, the Agency recognizes the market circumstances in this instance are such that delaying the Version 7.0 effective date until 2026, providing as much notice as possible for manufacturers to prepare for the specification change, is likely most appropriate. Manufacturers will be able to early-certify eligible products to either version of the specification once they are finalized.
Updated Heating Mode Performance Test Method
These specification revisions reference the new ENERGY STAR Test Method to Determine Room Air Conditioner Heating Mode Performance. Since its release in July 2024, the EPA has corrected the test method to ensure that COP17, COP5, and COPx are calculated to be unitless, consistent with the description of coefficient of performance (COP) in section 3 of the test method. In the originally released version, the COP calculations mistakenly resulted in units of Btu/Wh. To address this, the EPA has added a conversion factor throughout the test method to produce unitless results (i.e., Watts/Watts). The reporting template has also been amended to include this conversion factor, along with a few other minor corrections to improve consistency between the calculator and the test method. As a reminder, all documents related to this process are posted to the ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioner Heating Mode Test Method Development webpage.
Comment Submittal
The public is encouraged to provide written comments on the proposed RAC specification revisions for the EPA’s consideration to HVAC@energystar.gov by December 30, 2024. In particular, the Agency is requesting feedback on the room heat pump labeling requirement in Version 7.0, including what labeling elements would help communicate appropriate application to consumers the most clearly. All comments will be posted to the Room Air Conditioners Version 6.0 and Version 7.0 Specification Development webpages unless the submitter requests otherwise.
Stakeholder Meeting
The EPA will host a webinar on Monday, December 16, 2024, from 1 to 3 pm ET to discuss Draft 1 of the Version 6.0 and 7.0 revisions to the ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioner specification and address initial stakeholder comments and questions. Please register for the webinar here. Stakeholders are encouraged to inform the EPA of any industry events that may conflict with this proposed date.
To track the EPA’s progress in this development, visit the Room Air Conditioners Version 6.0 and Version 7.0 Specification Development webpages.
Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR Program. If you have any questions or feedback, please direct them to Holly Tapani at the EPA, Tapani.Holly@epa.gov or 202-751-5089, or Megan McNelly at ICF, Megan.McNelly@icf.com. For test method questions, please contact Lucas Adin at the DOE, lucas.adin@ee.doe.gov.
Sincerely,
Holly Tapani
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ENERGY STAR HVAC Program
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Version 6.0 Room Air Conditioner Draft 1 Specification
ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 Room Air Conditioner Draft 1 Specification
ENERGY STAR Version 6.0 Room Air Conditioner Draft 1 Specification Data Package
ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 Room Air Conditioner Draft 1 Specification Data Package
ENERGY STAR Version 1.0 Test Method to Determine Room Air Conditioner Heating Mode Performance
Dear ENERGY STAR® Room Air Conditioners Brand Owner Partners and Other Interested Stakeholders:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to announce the simultaneous release of the ENERGY STAR Versions 6.0 and 7.0 Room Air Conditioner (RAC) Draft 1 Specifications. Version 6.0 is intended to address heating mode efficiency for room heat pumps while leaving other requirements unchanged. Version 7.0 proposes to update all requirements in response to new minimum standards going into effect in 2026. The Agency will be hosting a webinar on December 16, 2024, at 1pm ET to discuss EPA’s proposals in greater detail. The public is encouraged to submit comments on these draft proposals to the EPA no later than December 30, 2024.
In the short time since the EPA finalized Version 5.0 of the ENERGY STAR RAC specification in 2023, the room heat pump (also known as reverse cycle RAC) market has advanced, with multiple manufacturers developing efficient heat pump models able to operate at temperatures considerably lower than before. In response to the innovation in these products, the EPA and Department of Energy (DOE) developed a test procedure to determine the heating efficiency of room heat pumps based on their operating temperatures and defrost, finalized in July 2024. The ENERGY STAR RAC Version 6.0 proposal adds a heating efficiency requirement for room heat pumps in order to characterize the potential energy savings from heating in addition to the savings from cooling. Further, incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act Home Energy Rebates programs require heating mode verification through ENERGY STAR certification. By setting a heating mode efficiency requirement, the EPA will enable ENERGY STAR certified room heat pumps to become eligible for these rebates.
Version 6.0 Heating Mode Requirements
In Version 6.0, the EPA is proposing to add a heating energy efficiency ratio (HEER) requirement of 5.1 for Type 1 and Type 2 room heat pumps and 6.8 for Type 3 and Type 4. To ensure adequate performance in low ambient temperatures, the EPA is also proposing to require a 1.5 COP at 17°F and 5°F and a 70% heating capacity at 17°F and 5°F compared to 47°F for Types 3 and 4, respectively. These proposed requirements were determined in consideration of preliminary testing data provided by manufacturers and will allow for recognition of models across manufacturers introducing this technology, while ensuring that room heat pumps deliver improved performance over resistance heating. The proposed 5.1 HEER requirement for Types 1 and 2 corresponds to seasonal heating performance 1.5 times more efficient than resistance heating, using 2/3rd the energy. The 1.5 COP at 17°F and 5°F requirement for Types 3 and 4 will ensure adequate efficiency at cold temperatures, while the 70% capacity requirement will ensure the rated heating capacity more accurately reflects the heating capacity when heating load is the greatest. The EPA is also proposing to remove the optional connected criteria from the specification in Version 6.0 and instead allow reporting of connected features available for products, simplifying the process for sharing connectivity information with consumers.
For room heat pump models with heating efficiency at the levels proposed in Version 6.0, the EPA anticipates an average annual savings ranging from 276 kWh to 783 kWh for heating alone, depending on the Type. These savings are in comparison to the average energy use of electric resistance heating in homes that use portable space heaters or built-in electric appliances as their primary heating source. When also considering the cooling savings, the EPA anticipates a 0.5-year payback for Type 1 and 2 units for consumers compared to the installed price of a 2014 DOE minimum efficiency reverse cycle RAC. For Type 3 units, payback increases to 1.9 years, and for Type 4 units, payback is noticeably higher at 13.4 years. The EPA notes that for Type 4 units, the price of the baseline equipment used in the analysis, a DOE minimum RAC, is likely much lower than the actual price of the products a Type 4 room heat pump would be able to replace. Given the robust cold climate performance requirements at 5°F proposed in these ENERGY STAR RAC specification revisions, Type 4 room heat pumps would be appropriate alternatives to many primary heating and cooling products beyond RACs, such as mini-split systems, central air conditioners, boilers, or furnaces. As such, payback for Type 4 models is likely much lower when compared to other products often used in cold climate applications.
Version 7.0 Cooling and Heating Mode Requirements
The Version 7.0 proposal was developed in response to a new federal minimum standard for RACs, effective May 26, 2026, requiring an increase in the ENERGY STAR specification cooling efficiency requirements to deliver savings beyond the standard. The EPA is proposing combined energy efficiency ratio (CEER) requirements 10% above the DOE minimum for non-reverse cycle RAC product classes and 5% above the DOE minimum for room heat pump (reverse cycle RAC) product classes. The EPA recognizes that design changes to meet the upcoming standards are currently underway and anticipates the selection of products performing at these levels will expand between now and the effective date. Based on an assessment using pricing data supporting the DOE’s regulatory analysis, the EPA anticipates a payback of approximately two years for most RAC product classes with ENERGY STAR participation, compared to a 2026 federal minimum cooling efficiency model. While the estimated payback for product classes 1 and 2 is higher, prices may decrease in response to the expanded market for efficient technologies driven by the new standard, improving payback for consumers.
Given that the new minimum standards will require product redesign to increase cooling efficiency, the EPA anticipates a subsequent increase in room heat pump heating efficiency associated with the design changes. Therefore, in Version 7.0, the EPA is proposing a 5.8 HEER requirement for room heat pump Types 1 and 2 and an 8.3 HEER requirement for Types 3 and 4, in addition to increasing the COP requirements at 17°F and 5°F for Types 3 and 4, respectively, from 1.5 to 1.75. These proposed Version 7.0 low ambient temperature performance requirements would bring the ENERGY STAR RAC specification in alignment with the ENERGY STAR Cold Climate air source heat pump requirements, reflecting acceptable cold climate performance widely recognized by industry. The EPA is also proposing to add room heat pump labelling requirements to facilitate appropriate climate application across different brands, by room heat pump type.
For Type 1 and Type 2 room heat pumps meeting the proposed Version 7.0 criteria, the EPA anticipates an average annual savings of 343 kWh from heating alone, with a 1.4-year payback for consumers compared to a 2026 DOE minimum efficiency reverse cycle RAC, when also considering the savings from cooling. For Type 3 units, the EPA anticipates an average annual heating savings of 737 kWh and a 3-year payback. For Type 4 units, the EPA anticipates an average heating annual savings of 925 kWh and an 18.7-year payback. The additional considerations for calculating payback Type 4 models discussed in Version 6.0, above, also apply to the estimates in Version 7.0.
Effective Dates
The EPA is proposing a two-tiered approach to these revisions to the ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioners specification, with Version 6.0 effective nine months after finalization and Version 7.0 effective May 26, 2026, aligned with the timing of upcoming federal minimum efficiency standard effective date. While it is common for ENERGY STAR to adopt new minimum standards in advance of their effective date as a leadership program, the Agency recognizes the market circumstances in this instance are such that delaying the Version 7.0 effective date until 2026, providing as much notice as possible for manufacturers to prepare for the specification change, is likely most appropriate. Manufacturers will be able to early-certify eligible products to either version of the specification once they are finalized.
Updated Heating Mode Performance Test Method
These specification revisions reference the new ENERGY STAR Test Method to Determine Room Air Conditioner Heating Mode Performance. Since its release in July 2024, the EPA has corrected the test method to ensure that COP17, COP5, and COPx are calculated to be unitless, consistent with the description of coefficient of performance (COP) in section 3 of the test method. In the originally released version, the COP calculations mistakenly resulted in units of Btu/Wh. To address this, the EPA has added a conversion factor throughout the test method to produce unitless results (i.e., Watts/Watts). The reporting template has also been amended to include this conversion factor, along with a few other minor corrections to improve consistency between the calculator and the test method. As a reminder, all documents related to this process are posted to the ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioner Heating Mode Test Method Development webpage.
Comment Submittal
The public is encouraged to provide written comments on the proposed RAC specification revisions for the EPA’s consideration to HVAC@energystar.gov by December 30, 2024. In particular, the Agency is requesting feedback on the room heat pump labeling requirement in Version 7.0, including what labeling elements would help communicate appropriate application to consumers the most clearly. All comments will be posted to the Room Air Conditioners Version 6.0 and Version 7.0 Specification Development webpages unless the submitter requests otherwise.
Stakeholder Meeting
The EPA will host a webinar on Monday, December 16, 2024, from 1 to 3 pm ET to discuss Draft 1 of the Version 6.0 and 7.0 revisions to the ENERGY STAR Room Air Conditioner specification and address initial stakeholder comments and questions. Please register for the webinar here. Stakeholders are encouraged to inform the EPA of any industry events that may conflict with this proposed date.
To track the EPA’s progress in this development, visit the Room Air Conditioners Version 6.0 and Version 7.0 Specification Development webpages.
Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR Program. If you have any questions or feedback, please direct them to Holly Tapani at the EPA, Tapani.Holly@epa.gov or 202-751-5089, or Megan McNelly at ICF, Megan.McNelly@icf.com. For test method questions, please contact Lucas Adin at the DOE, lucas.adin@ee.doe.gov.
Sincerely,
Holly Tapani
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ENERGY STAR HVAC Program
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Version 6.0 Room Air Conditioner Draft 1 Specification
ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 Room Air Conditioner Draft 1 Specification
ENERGY STAR Version 6.0 Room Air Conditioner Draft 1 Specification Data Package
ENERGY STAR Version 7.0 Room Air Conditioner Draft 1 Specification Data Package
ENERGY STAR Version 1.0 Test Method to Determine Room Air Conditioner Heating Mode Performance
Dear ENERGY STAR® Room Air Cleaner Partner or Other Interested Stakeholder,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to distribute the Final Draft ENERGY STAR Room Air Cleaners Version 3.0 Specification. Comments may be submitted to the EPA no later than December 13, 2024. The EPA plans to finalize this Version 3.0 Room Air Cleaner specification in early January with an effective date of October 9, 2025.
The feedback the EPA received in response to the Draft 1 Version 3.0 Room Air Cleaner proposal was generally supportive with no concerns about the proposed levels. There were a few comments the EPA considered specific to the metrics, the scope, and the approach for setting levels. One stakeholder suggested relying solely on PM2.5 CADR instead of smoke CADR and dust CADR for the scope. The DOE and the EPA agree that it would be more appropriate to define the scope of this specification in terms of PM2.5 CADR to avoid inadvertently excluding products and accordingly propose to update the scope in terms of PM2.5 CADR. Another stakeholder suggested that the EPA increase the scope of the specification to include products with CADR under 30 cfm. The EPA considered this request but is retaining the current scope due to concerns that these products serve niche applications for small spaces. A couple of stakeholders requested the EPA consider an equation-based approach for setting levels rather than establishing them by bins. The EPA plans to retain the current method but will consider this approach in the future. As requested by stakeholders, the Agency will plan to allow partners to report the presence of an auto cleaning mode when certifying models. Summaries and responses to the comments can be found in note boxes throughout the final draft specification and in the Version 3.0 Draft 1 comment response matrix.
The EPA is maintaining the Draft 1 performance requirements as proposed in this Final Draft given the selection of available models in the most popular product classes from a range of manufacturers that would meet the proposed levels.
Comment Submittal
To the extent you have any final feedback for the EPA’s consideration, please submit written comments to
appliances@energystar.gov no later than December 13, 2024. As a reminder, all comments received will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Room Air Cleaners Version 3 Specification Development webpage unless the submitter specifically requests that the comments remain confidential.
Please contact Leybourn.Stephen@epa.gov or (202) 934-2262 or Payal Hukeri, ICF, at Payal.Hukeri@icf.com, with any questions or concerns about the specification.
Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Sincerely,
Steve Leybourn, Product Manager ENERGY STAR Appliances
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Room Air Cleaners Version 3.0 Final Draft Specification
ENERGY STAR Room Air Cleaners Version 3.0 Draft 1 Comment Response Matrix
Dear ENERGY STAR® Packaged Terminal Air Conditioner (PTAC) or Packaged Terminal Heat Pump (PTHP) Manufacturer or Other Interested Stakeholder:
With this letter, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are releasing the enclosed ENERGY STAR Draft Test Method to Determine Packaged Terminal Heat Pump Low Ambient Temperature Heating Mode Performance for comment. The EPA and DOE will hold a public webinar on Thursday, December 12, 2024, at 2 PM ET to discuss the Draft test procedure in greater detail. The EPA invites the public to submit comments on this draft proposal no later than December 30, 2024.
In response to the Draft 1 Version 1.0 PTHP specification, the EPA received comments from stakeholders that expressed concerns that the proposal did not require PTHPs to specify their performance in heating mode at temperatures below 47°F. These stakeholders encouraged the EPA to recognize products that can heat efficiently at low ambient temperatures, especially for programs in northern states that would need assurance of efficient heat pump operation at temperatures much colder than 47°F. In response to these comments, the EPA and DOE developed a test procedure to determine low ambient temperature heating performance for ENERGY STAR PTHPs, based on the DOE’s May 2023 Test Procedure Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (88 FR 30836), which proposed optional low ambient test points. The May 2023 proposal was further refined through discussions with an Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) standards technical committee, in consideration of updated industry rating standards for this equipment. This proposed ENERGY STAR test method follows a similar structure to the recently developed ENERGY STAR Test Method to Determine Room Air Conditioner Heating Mode Performance and notably includes COP tests at 17°F and 5°F, classifying PTHPs into Types 1-4 based on their cut-in and cut-out temperatures and whether or not the model provides active defrost.
Using this test procedure, the low ambient heating mode performance of ENERGY STAR certified PTHPs can be verified, enabling stakeholders to better identify which models are appropriate for their climate. The EPA requests feedback on the intention to reference this test procedure in the ENERGY STAR PTHP Version 1.0 specification and require COPs >1 for Type 3 and 4 PTHPs at 17°F and 5°F, respectively. In the absence of available data, a COP >1 requirement would ensure heat pump performance better than resistance heating at low ambient temperatures.
Stakeholder Meeting:
The EPA and DOE will host a webinar on December 12, 2024, from 2 PM – 4 PM ET to discuss the Draft 1 document and address initial stakeholder comments and questions. Please register to attend the webinar here.
Comment Submittal:
The public is encouraged to provide written comments for EPA and DOE consideration to HVAC@energystar.gov no later than December 30, 2024. As a reminder, all submitted comments will be posted to the ENERGY STAR product development website unless the submitter specifically requests their respective comments remain confidential.
Please contact me, Holly Tapani, EPA, at Tapani.Holly@epa.gov or 202-751-5089, or Megan McNelly, ICF, at Megan.McNelly@icf.com with questions or concerns. For test method questions, please contact Lucas Adin at the DOE, lucas.adin@ee.doe.gov. Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Sincerely,
Holly Tapani, Product Manager ENERGY STAR HVAC
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Dear ENERGY STAR® Computers Partner or Other Interested Stakeholder,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to distribute the Final Draft, Version 9.0 ENERGY STAR Computers specification. Comments may be submitted to EPA no later than December 13, 2024. EPA plans to finalize this version 9.0 specification with an effective date of October 27, 2025.
In developing the Final Draft specification, EPA considered the feedback submitted by stakeholders. In total, three stakeholders submitted feedback on the Draft 2 proposal. Note boxes throughout the specification provide EPA’s response to this feedback and rationale for updated levels. The Final Draft, Version 9.0 specification incorporates the following key elements:
Energy Criteria:
After consideration of the additional feedback from stakeholders, EPA is updating the base allowances for desktops, integrated desktops, and notebooks while also updating specific adders. In addition, integrated desktops have been broken out by their power supply output to differentiate those products utilizing desktop components compared to notebook components. As with Draft 1 and 2, no changes have been made to the workstation criteria at this time. Roughly 30-40% of products meet the updated criteria levels across a range of products.
Power Supply Criteria:
EPA also received further comment on allowing manufacturers to test with a recommended adaptor rather than an in-box adaptor for adaptors larger than 30W. EPA understands that the request is centered on slates/tablets rather than notebooks, which has been the Agency’s primary concern. As such, EPA and the Department of Energy have updated the test method references in the Final Draft to allow for testing with a recommended adaptor that is larger than 30W for slates/tablets.
Comment Submittal
To the extent you have final feedback for EPA’s consideration, please submit written comments to computers@energystar.gov no later than December 13, 2024. All comments will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Product Development website unless the submitter requests otherwise.
The exchange of ideas and information between EPA, industry, and other interested parties is critical to the success of ENERGY STAR. Specifications and meeting materials will be distributed via email and posted on the ENERGY STAR website. To track EPA’s progress on this specification, please visit the product development website here.
Please contact me at Fogle.Ryan@epa.gov or 202-343-9153 or John Clinger at John.Clinger@icf.com or 215-861-8667 with questions or concerns. For any other computer related questions, please contact computers@energystar.gov. Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR program. Dear ENERGY STAR® Computers Partner or Other Interested Stakeholder,
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to distribute the Final Draft, Version 9.0 ENERGY STAR Computers specification. Comments may be submitted to EPA no later than December 13, 2024. EPA plans to finalize this version 9.0 specification with an effective date of October 27, 2025.
In developing the Final Draft specification, EPA considered the feedback submitted by stakeholders. In total, three stakeholders submitted feedback on the Draft 2 proposal. Note boxes throughout the specification provide EPA’s response to this feedback and rationale for updated levels. The Final Draft, Version 9.0 specification incorporates the following key elements:
Energy Criteria:
After consideration of the additional feedback from stakeholders, EPA is updating the base allowances for desktops, integrated desktops, and notebooks while also updating specific adders. In addition, integrated desktops have been broken out by their power supply output to differentiate those products utilizing desktop components compared to notebook components. As with Draft 1 and 2, no changes have been made to the workstation criteria at this time. Roughly 30-40% of products meet the updated criteria levels across a range of products.
Power Supply Criteria:
EPA also received further comment on allowing manufacturers to test with a recommended adaptor rather than an in-box adaptor for adaptors larger than 30W. EPA understands that the request is centered on slates/tablets rather than notebooks, which has been the Agency’s primary concern. As such, EPA and the Department of Energy have updated the test method references in the Final Draft to allow for testing with a recommended adaptor that is larger than 30W for slates/tablets.
Comment Submittal
To the extent you have final feedback for EPA’s consideration, please submit written comments to computers@energystar.gov no later than December 13, 2024. All comments will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Product Development website unless the submitter requests otherwise.
The exchange of ideas and information between EPA, industry, and other interested parties is critical to the success of ENERGY STAR. Specifications and meeting materials will be distributed via email and posted on the ENERGY STAR website. To track EPA’s progress on this specification, please visit the product development website here.
Please contact me at Fogle.Ryan@epa.gov or 202-343-9153 or John Clinger at John.Clinger@icf.com or 215-861-8667 with questions or concerns. For any other computer related questions, please contact computers@energystar.gov. Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Sincerely,
Ryan Fogle
EPA Manager, ENERGY STAR for IT and Data Center Products
Enclosures:
Final Draft, Version 9.0 Specification
Final Draft Test Method
Dear Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor or Other Interested Party:
The models listed below have been disqualified from the ENERGY STAR® program. The Disqualified Products List has been updated, and these models have been removed from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Lists:
Audio/Video
Max. International (HK) Ltd., Audac model CEP408
Please visit the Products Integrity Page for specific brands and model numbers, and email Enforcement@energystar.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Dear Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor or Other Interested Party:
The models listed below have been disqualified from the ENERGY STAR® program. The Disqualified Products List has been updated, and these models have been removed from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Lists:
Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers
Royal Range of California, Inc., Royal Range model REEF-35
Please visit the Products Integrity Page for specific brands and model numbers, and email Enforcement@energystar.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Dear Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor or Other Interested Party:
The models listed below have been disqualified from the ENERGY STAR® program. The Disqualified Products List has been updated, and these models have been removed from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Lists:
Computers
Advantech Co., Ltd, Advantech model AIM-75
Please visit the Products Integrity Page for specific brands and model numbers, and email Enforcement@energystar.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Dear Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor or Other Interested Party:
The models listed below have been disqualified from the ENERGY STAR® program. The Disqualified Products List has been updated, and these models have been removed from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Lists:
Luminaires
- Signify, Lightolier model C2SA15927NSUPZUF/ C2SAWTF
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06927FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06927FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06927NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06927NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06927NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06927NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06927SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06927SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06930FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06930FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06930NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06930NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06930NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06930NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06930SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06930SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06935FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06935FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06935NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06935NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06935NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06935NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06935SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06935SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06940FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06940FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06940NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06940NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06940NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06940NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06940SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*06940SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09927FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09927FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09927NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09927NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09927NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09927NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09927SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09927SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09930FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09930FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09930NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09930NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09930NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09930NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09930SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09930SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09935FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09935FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09935NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09935NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09935NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09935NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09935SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09935SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09940FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09940FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09940NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09940NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09940NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09940NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09940SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*09940SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10927FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10927FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10927NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10927NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10927NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10927NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10927SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10927SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10930FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10930FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10930NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10930NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10930NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10930NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10930SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10930SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10935FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10935FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10935NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10935NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10935NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10935NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10935SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10935SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10940FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10940FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10940NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10940NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10940NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10940NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10940SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*10940SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15927FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15927FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15927NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15927NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15927NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15927SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15927SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15930FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15930FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15930NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15930NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15930NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15930NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15930SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15930SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15935FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15935FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15935NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15935NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15935NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15935NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15935SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15935SPUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15940FLLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15940FLUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15940NFLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15940NFUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15940NSLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15940NSUPZU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15940SPLU**/C2*****
- Signify, Lightolier model C2*15940SPUPZU**/C2*****
Please visit the Products Integrity Page for specific brands and model numbers, and email Enforcement@energystar.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Dear ENERGY STAR® Audio/Video Stakeholders:
With this letter, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing the sunset of the ENERGY STAR specification for Audio/Video (AV) equipment, effective August 20, 2025. The EPA remains open to reconsidering whether ENERGY STAR can play an effective role in differentiating these products at some future date, as technologies evolve.
The ENERGY STAR program serves an important role in helping consumers realize the benefits of energy efficiency from both a cost and environmental perspective. ENERGY STAR specifications are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that they provide meaningful differentiation for highly energy-efficient products. Absent the ability to do that based on AV stakeholder engagement and market evolution in recent years, The EPA believes making the decision to sunset this category is the right choice.
The EPA thanks stakeholders who submitted comments on the sunset proposal released last July. The Agency received feedback from four manufacturers and eight other stakeholders about the importance of the ENERGY STAR program, particularly for soundbars and commercial amplifiers. There was recognition that sunset of certain categories such as Blu-ray players may be justified due to the declining relevance of physical media. All written comments are posted here.
The EPA has made a concerted effort to enhance the value of the ENERGY STAR label for AV equipment over recent years. The Agency proposed options for soundbars two years ago referencing a new test procedure based on limited data and received no comments. Since then, The EPA conducted further market screening and found low power consuming options across the market, even though ENERGY STAR shipments have remained extremely low (i.e. 2%). For commercial AV equipment, The EPA was unable to propose levels due to inadequate information on product performance against the latest CTA standard and received no input from stakeholders on how to differentiate these models. While The EPA appreciates the input from designers and purchasers relying on ENERGY STAR for commercial AV products, there is not sufficient information to justify retaining current levels nor setting new levels.
Manufacturers emphasized ENERGY STAR’s roles in both establishing and maintaining a minimum efficiency baseline for soundbars and covering these products as these technologies evolve. However, with only 2% of the market associated with the ENERGY STAR label, engagement is too low for ENERGY STAR to achieve that purpose.
Timeline Milestones
The EPA recognizes the investment ENERGY STAR brand owner, retailer and utility partners have made in certifying and promoting products in these categories and is sensitive to providing a reasonable transition period. The Agency proposes to sunset the ENERGY STAR Version 3.0 Audio Video specification effective August 20, 2025. To facilitate a smooth transition under this proposal, partners will no longer be able to certify new products as of February 1, 2025.
Consistent with past ENERGY STAR product category sunsets, the following milestones are associated with implementing this sunset:
ENERGY STAR certified AV products and their ENERGY STAR Brandowner partners will continue to be recognized at www.energystar.gov until August 20, 2025.
No new Partnership Agreements for the AV program will be accepted by The EPA as of February 1, 2025
No new certified product information for the AV program will be accepted by The EPA as of February 1, 2025.
Brandowner Partners must stop using the ENERGY STAR name and ENERGY STAR mark in association with all AV products manufactured and services offered on or after August 20, 2025
To minimize the cost of labeling changes and be in compliance by August 20, 2025, manufacturers of AV products are encouraged to remove ENERGY STAR references on Web sites or in other collateral materials as these materials are reprinted or changed in the coming months. Manufacturers are permitted to use up existing printed material, including packaging, in order to minimize waste.
Partners who have any questions or want to discuss their plans to discontinue labelling may contact audiovideo@energystar.gov. In closing, The EPA appreciates the efforts of all AV stakeholders to advance a cleaner environment through the ENERGY STAR Program and applauds your success in moving the market towards greater energy efficiency.
Sincerely,
Ann Bailey, Director
ENERGY STAR Product Labeling Branch
US Environmental Protection Agency
Enclosures: Audio Video Sunset Comment Summary
Dear ENERGY STAR® Partners and other Stakeholders:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to share the updated proposed ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition criteria for Air Source Heat Pumps. In concert with this release, the EPA also shares a proposed amendment to the ENERGY STAR Air Source Heat Pump Specification. Taken together, these proposals include marginal changes, better aligning ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 with tax credit eligibility criteria, such that the widely recognized ENERGY STAR brand can more effectively be leveraged to communicate about qualifying models. To the extent you have any final feedback on this proposal and update, please submit comments to HVAC@energystar.gov by November 14, 2024.
2025 ASHP Proposed Recognition Criteria
Feedback received on the proposal to better align with the Consortium for Energy Efficient (CEE) levels associated with the 25C tax credits was mixed. While the EPA appreciates the different perspectives on its approach to ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria, ultimately the adjustments reflected in the updated proposal will make it easier for consumers to identify tax credit eligible options. The EPA was able to address requests to remove the installation benefits requirement. While the EPA appreciates the request to allow for use of the AHRI Certified Verification Procedure (CVP) 210/240 test, the proposal refers to the use of a DOE CVP when available, as an option, instead. Summaries and responses to the comments can be found in the 2025 Most Efficient ASHP comment response matrix.
The EPA’s proposal for 2025 Most Efficient recognition includes minimal adjustments to efficiency levels for cold climate and non-cold climate units as follows:
Product Type | SEER2 | EER2 | HSPF2 |
Split system HP (Ducted & Ductless) | 16.0 | 11.0 | 8.0 |
Single-package HP | 15.2 | 10.0 | 7.2 |
Cold Climate Split HP (Ducted & Ductless) | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 |
Cold Climate Packaged HP | 15.2 | 10.0 | 8.1 |
This proposal retains the 1.75 COP at 5F and 70% heating capacity at 5F compared to 47F requirements for cold climate heat pumps. It also adds a low ambient performance backstop of 1.75 COP at 5F and a 45% heating capacity requirement at 5F compared to 47F for non-cold climate heat pumps.
Proposed Amendment to Version 6.2 Specification
In addition to meeting the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition criteria, ASHP products must be ENERGY STAR certified by an EPA-recognized certification body. In some cases, the EER2 required for the Most Efficient 2025 levels is lower than that required for ENERGY STAR Version 6.1. Therefore, the EPA proposes the following changes in the Version 6.2 amendment:
- EER2 requirement lowered to 11.0 for split systems and 10.0 for single package systems to accommodate variable speed units which have excellent seasonal performance and, on average, do not run at full capacity during peak cooling.
- The option to use the DOE CVP, when available, instead of the ENERGY STAR CVP, for verifying low ambient performance of cold climate heat pumps.
- Reporting requirement for COP at 5F, Heating Capacity at 5F/47F, and CVP verification, where available, to facilitate identification of models eligible for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient.
This amendment will not impact any currently certified models. For more details on these changes, please see the Version 6.2 specification.
The EPA will provide additional information regarding the roll out of ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition with the finalization of these criteria.
This document and the ESME ASHP 2025 criteria document can be found here. It can also be found along with the ENERGY STAR ASHP Version 6.2 proposal here. Please provide any final feedback or concerns on either publication to HVAC@energystar.gov no later than November 14, 2024. Unless the commenter asks otherwise, all comments will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria development page and/or the ASHP specification development page, as relevant. The EPA plans to finalize these documents in November/December 2024.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Sincerely,
Ann Bailey, Director
ENERGY STAR Product Labeling
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Version 6.2 Air Source Heat Pump Specification
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition criteria for Air Source Heat Pumps
2025 Most Efficient Air Source Heat Pumps Comment Response Matrix
Dear ENERGY STAR® Partners and other Stakeholders:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to share the updated proposed ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition criteria for Air Source Heat Pumps. In concert with this release, the EPA also shares a proposed amendment to the ENERGY STAR Air Source Heat Pump Specification. Taken together, these proposals include marginal changes, better aligning ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 with tax credit eligibility criteria, such that the widely recognized ENERGY STAR brand can more effectively be leveraged to communicate about qualifying models. To the extent you have any final feedback on this proposal and update, please submit comments to HVAC@energystar.gov by November 14, 2024.
2025 ASHP Proposed Recognition Criteria
Feedback received on the proposal to better align with the Consortium for Energy Efficient (CEE) levels associated with the 25C tax credits was mixed. While the EPA appreciates the different perspectives on its approach to ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria, ultimately the adjustments reflected in the updated proposal will make it easier for consumers to identify tax credit eligible options. The EPA was able to address requests to remove the installation benefits requirement. While the EPA appreciates the request to allow for use of the AHRI Certified Verification Procedure (CVP) 210/240 test, the proposal refers to the use of a DOE CVP when available, as an option, instead. Summaries and responses to the comments can be found in the 2025 Most Efficient ASHP comment response matrix.
The EPA’s proposal for 2025 Most Efficient recognition includes minimal adjustments to efficiency levels for cold climate and non-cold climate units as follows:
Product Type | SEER2 | EER2 | HSPF2 |
Split system HP (Ducted & Ductless) | 16.0 | 11.0 | 8.0 |
Single-package HP | 15.2 | 10.0 | 7.2 |
Cold Climate Split HP (Ducted & Ductless) | 16.0 | 9.8 | 8.5 |
Cold Climate Packaged HP | 15.2 | 10.0 | 8.1 |
This proposal retains the 1.75 COP at 5F and 70% heating capacity at 5F compared to 47F requirements for cold climate heat pumps. It also adds a low ambient performance backstop of 1.75 COP at 5F and a 45% heating capacity requirement at 5F compared to 47F for non-cold climate heat pumps.
Proposed Amendment to Version 6.2 Specification
In addition to meeting the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition criteria, ASHP products must be ENERGY STAR certified by an EPA-recognized certification body. In some cases, the EER2 required for the Most Efficient 2025 levels is lower than that required for ENERGY STAR Version 6.1. Therefore, the EPA proposes the following changes in the Version 6.2 amendment:
- EER2 requirement lowered to 11.0 for split systems and 10.0 for single package systems to accommodate variable speed units which have excellent seasonal performance and, on average, do not run at full capacity during peak cooling.
- The option to use the DOE CVP, when available, instead of the ENERGY STAR CVP, for verifying low ambient performance of cold climate heat pumps.
- Reporting requirement for COP at 5F, Heating Capacity at 5F/47F, and CVP verification, where available, to facilitate identification of models eligible for ENERGY STAR Most Efficient.
This amendment will not impact any currently certified models. For more details on these changes, please see the Version 6.2 specification.
The EPA will provide additional information regarding the roll out of ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition with the finalization of these criteria.
This document and the ESME ASHP 2025 criteria document can be found here. It can also be found along with the ENERGY STAR ASHP Version 6.2 proposal here. Please provide any final feedback or concerns on either publication to HVAC@energystar.gov no later than November 14, 2024. Unless the commenter asks otherwise, all comments will be posted to the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient criteria development page and/or the ASHP specification development page, as relevant. The EPA plans to finalize these documents in November/December 2024.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Sincerely,
Ann Bailey, Director
ENERGY STAR Product Labeling
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Version 6.2 Air Source Heat Pump Specification
ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2025 recognition criteria for Air Source Heat Pumps
2025 Most Efficient Air Source Heat Pumps Comment Response Matrix
Dear ENERGY STAR® Clothes Dryer Partner or Other Interested Party:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has updated the ENERGY STAR Clothes Dryer Version 1.1 Specification to clarify in the scope that combination all-in-one washer-dryer models are eligible for ENERGY STAR as referenced in the ENERGY STAR Clothes Washers Version 8.1 specification. This is intended to make it more transparent where ENERGY STAR provides requirements for combination all-in-one washer-dryers.
Thank you for your support of ENERGY STAR.
Sincerely,
Steve Leybourn, Product Manager ENERGY STAR Appliances
Enclosures:
ENERGY STAR Clothes Dryer Version 1.1 Specification
Dear Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor or Other Interested Party:
The models listed below have been disqualified from the ENERGY STAR® program. The Disqualified Products List has been updated, and these models have been removed from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Lists:
Computers
- Xitrix Computer Corporation, XITRIX model Xitrix DeskFrame E310
Dehumidifiers
- Innovative Dehumidifier Systems LLC, INNOVATIVE model IW-25-4
Displays
- AUO Corporation, AUO model P550QVF07.0
Please visit the Products Integrity Page for specific brands and model numbers, and email Enforcement@energystar.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Dear Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor or Other Interested Party:
The models listed below have been disqualified from the ENERGY STAR® program. The Disqualified Products List has been updated, and these models have been removed from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Lists:
Computers
- Xitrix Computer Corporation, XITRIX model Xitrix DeskFrame E310
Please visit the Products Integrity Page for specific brands and model numbers, and email Enforcement@energystar.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Dear Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor or Other Interested Party:
The models listed below have been disqualified from the ENERGY STAR® program. The Disqualified Products List has been updated, and these models have been removed from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Lists:
Dehumidifiers
- Innovative Dehumidifier Systems LLC, INNOVATIVE model IW-25-4
Please visit the Products Integrity Page for specific brands and model numbers, and email Enforcement@energystar.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Dear Energy Efficiency Program Sponsor or Other Interested Party:
The models listed below have been disqualified from the ENERGY STAR® program. The Disqualified Products List has been updated, and these models have been removed from the ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Lists:
Displays
- AUO Corporation, AUO model P550QVF07.0
Please visit the Products Integrity Page for specific brands and model numbers, and email Enforcement@energystar.gov with any questions.
Thank you for your support of the ENERGY STAR program.
Dear ENERGY STAR® Laboratory Grade Refrigerator and Freezer Partner or Other Interested Stakeholder:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is pleased to distribute the Final Version 2.0 ENERGY STAR Laboratory Grade Refrigeration and Freezers specification. EPA would like to thank the many stakeholders who have invested time and effort to contribute feedback and data that has informed this product specification process. These Version 2.0 requirements will take effect on June 30, 2025. This letter provides highlights of the new requirements and outlines the transition process.
The Version 2.0 specification will recognize the top performing laboratory grade refrigerator and freezer products on the market. ENERGY STAR certified laboratory grade refrigerators and freezers will use 37% less energy than a standard product. If all laboratory grade refrigerators and freezers were ENERGY STAR certified, the cost savings would grow to over $70 million each year and more than 1 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented, equivalent to the emissions of over 95 thousand vehicles. EPA did not receive any comments in response to the final draft specification. The only update included in the final specification is to Section 3.3 which clarifies the refrigerant reporting requirement and aligns the format with other specifications across the program. This requirement was previously in place in Version 1.0/1.1.
Version 4.0 Transition Timeline and Next Steps
EPA shares partners’ desire for a smooth transition from one ENERGY STAR specification to the next so that consumer expectations are met and ENERGY STAR labeled products fully meet the new requirements upon their effective date. With this in mind, EPA has established the following timeline:
Effective immediately, manufacturers may elect to have their Certification Body (CB) certify eligible products to the Version 2.0 requirements.
After February 14, 2025 CBs will be instructed to stop certifying new product submittals to Version 1.1. Note, however that existing certifications to Version 1.0/1.1 will remain valid for the purposes of ENERGY STAR certification until June 30, 2025.
Any laboratory grade refrigerator or freezer manufactured as of June 30, 2025, must meet the Version 2.0 requirements to bear the ENERGY STAR mark. All certifications of products to the Version 1.0/1.1 specification will be invalid for the purposes of ENEGY STAR and CBs will only submit product models certified to Version 2.0 to EPA.
On behalf of EPA, I would like to thank all stakeholders who provided feedback during this specification revision process and I look forward to working with you as you certify and market your ENERGY STAR certified laboratory grade refrigerator and freezers. Please contact me at (202) 343-9153 or Fogle.Ryan@epa.gov, or John Clinger at (215) 967-9407 with questions. For test method questions, please contact Bryan Berringer, Department of Energy, at Bryan.Berringer@ee.doe.gov, or 202-586-0371.
Thank you for your continued support of the ENERGY STAR Program.
Sincerely,
Ryan Fogle
EPA Manager, ENERGY STAR for Medical Products
Enclosures:
Final Version 2.0 Specification
Final Version 2.0 Data Package
Dear Battery Charging Systems Partners, Battery Charger Stakeholders and Other Interested Parties: Please see the attached letter from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), announcing their intent to launch the revision of the Version 1.0 ENERGY STAR® specification for Battery Charging Systems (BCS). The announcement letter outlines the goals and next steps in the specification development process. As a key stakeholder, EPA invites your participation in the development of an appropriate test procedure(s) and performance requirements for battery chargers. If you know of others who may be interested in participating in this process, please forward this announcement and encourage them to send their contact information to batterychargers@energystar.gov to be added to the stakeholder contact list. If you have any questions, please contact Andrew Fanara, EPA, at Fanara.andrew@epa.gov or (206) 553-6377 or Robin Clark, ICF International, at rclark@icfi.com or (202) 862-1223. Thank you for your continued support of ENERGY STAR!
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is releasing for stakeholder comment the Draft 1 Version 2.0 ENERGY STAR® specification for Battery Charging Systems (BCSs). The document is attached to this email, as are a cover memo and data collection sheets. The final date for provision of comments on the draft specification will be January 15, 2010. EPA would also like to notify stakeholders that it will be hosting a Webinar to discuss the draft specification on Tuesday, December 14, 2010, from 11 am to 2 pm, Eastern Time. Please RSVP to batterychargers@energystar.gov by this Friday, December 10, to receive Webinar information. Please direct any specific questions to Katharine Kaplan, at kaplan.katharine@epamail.epa.gov, or 202-343-9120, or Matt Malinowski, ICF International, at mmalinowski@icfi.com or 202-862-2693. We look forward to working with you and thank you for your interest in ENERGY STAR.
Please see attached important correspondence from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency concerning the Final Version 3.0 ENERGY STAR Specification for Boilers.
Thank you for your continued support of ENERGY STAR.
• Join Us for the 2018 ENERGY STAR Products Partner Meeting
• Light the Moment, with ENERGY STAR!
• Free Marketing Resources for Consumers and Partners
Join Us for the 2018 ENERGY STAR Products Partner Meeting
Phoenix, Arizona | September 5-7