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What SEER2 rating does a new central AC need in your state?

It depends on the state. Under 10 CFR 430.32, a new split-system central AC needs at least 13.4 SEER2 nationally; in the Southeast and Southwest it needs 14.3 SEER2 below 45,000 Btu/hr and 13.8 at or above it, and the Southwest adds an EER2 minimum. The rule and both state lists are quoted below.

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

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By InstaBids editorial team with AI research agents. Sources read: 22 October 2026 Updated 2026-10-22

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Key facts

What SEER2 minimum applies everywhere in the US?

For a split-system central air conditioner manufactured on or after January 1, 2023, 13.4 SEER2, whatever its size. The nationwide paragraph of 10 CFR 430.32 and the rows of its table for air conditioners are quoted below in their own words.

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

The eCFR copy of 10 CFR 430.32, read 22 October 2026, shows on that day: "Displaying title 10, up to date as of 10/20/2026." Its paragraph (c)(5) reads: "Central air conditioners and central air conditioning heat pumps manufactured on or after January 1, 2023, must have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 and a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor 2 not less than:"

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

The table that follows lists each product class with its SEER2 figure. The two rows for split-system air conditioners read "(i)(A) Split systems—air conditioners with a certified cooling capacity less than 45,000 Btu/hr 13.4" and "(i)(B) Split systems—air conditioners with a certified cooling capacity equal to or greater than 45,000 Btu/hr 13.4".

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

The row for single-package units, where the whole system sits in one cabinet, reads "(iii) Single-package units—air conditioners 13.4", and the row for a split heat pump, with its SEER2 and HSPF2 figures, reads "(ii) Split systems—heat pumps 14.3 7.5".

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

Which regional AC minimums and installation dates does the rule specify?

The regional table and its jurisdiction notes appear in paragraph (c)(6) at the linked federal rule. The equipment classes and both jurisdiction notes are quoted below.

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

Paragraph (c)(6)(i) says that split-system and single-package air conditioners "that are installed on or after January 1, 2023, in the southeast or southwest must have a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 and a Energy Efficiency Ratio 2 not less than:"

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

The Southeast note reads: "“Southeast” includes the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories." The Southwest note reads: "“Southwest” includes the States of Arizona, California, Nevada, and New Mexico."

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

The table's columns are headed "Product class Southeast * Southwest ** SEER2 SEER2 EER2 ***", so each split-system row gives the Southeast SEER2, the Southwest SEER2 and the Southwest EER2, in that order: "(i)(A) Split-systems—air conditioners with a certified cooling capacity less than 45,000 Btu/hr 14.3 14.3 11.7/9.8" and "(i)(B) Split-systems—air conditioners with a certified cooling capacity equal to or greater than 45,000 Btu/hr 13.8 13.8 11.2/9.8".

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

A note explains the two EER2 figures for the smaller units: "The 11.7 EER2 standard applies to products with a certified SEER2 less than 15.2. The 9.8 EER2 standard applies to products with a certified SEER2 greater than or equal to 15.2."

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

The single-package row reads "(iii) Single-package units—air conditioners 10.6". In our reading of the regulation's table as the eCFR publishes it, that row leaves both SEER2 columns blank and puts 10.6 in the Southwest EER2 column.

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

In our reading, a state on neither list is held to the nationwide figures quoted in the section above. The Department of Energy's consumer FAQ explains how the lists were drawn: "States with 5,000 HDD or more are considered part of the northern region, while States with less than 5,000 HDD are considered part of the southern region."

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

The Department of Energy's FAQ says the southern standards for split-system air conditioners are based on date of installation, while the northern standards are based on the product's date of manufacture. The FAQ, issued 5 October 2022 and read 22 October 2026, is quoted below in its own words.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

The FAQ says: "The amended standards that impact the northern region are based on the product’s date of manufacture." It adds: "Units manufactured before January 1, 2023, have to meet the standards that were in effect before January 1, 2023. These units may be installed in the North after January 1, 2023 as long as they were compliant with the standards in effect prior to January 1, 2023."

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

For the South it says: "The amended standards for split-system air conditioners that impact the southern region are based on date of installation. Therefore, units installed on or after January 1, 2023, must meet the new standards."

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

It gives the definition from 10 CFR 430.2 of the install itself: "“installation of a central air conditioner” means the connection of the refrigerant lines and/or electrical systems to make the central air conditioner operational."

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

The FAQ also says which products the regional lists cover: "The regional standards apply only to split-system and single-package air conditioners. Other air conditioners or heat pumps manufactured on or after January 1, 2023, must meet the new nationwide energy efficiency standard."

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

Can you compare an old SEER rating with a SEER2 rating?

Not directly: the Department of Energy's FAQ says the ratings are not directly comparable, and that compliance for each model is determined from its measured SEER2, HSPF2 or EER2. Its footnote is quoted below.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

The FAQ says: "Although SEER2, HSPF2, and EER2 ratings are similar to ratings using the original metrics, they are not directly comparable." The next sentence reads: "Compliance with the new standards for each model must be determined based on its measured SEER2, HSPF2, or EER2."

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

In our reading, a quote that lists only an older SEER number does not show whether the unit meets a SEER2 minimum.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

Who is responsible if a noncompliant AC is installed?

The Department of Energy's 2023 standards FAQ, read 22 October 2026, says: "It is illegal for your air conditioner contractor to install a product that does not meet the regional standards in the Southeast and Southwest." Its enforcement Q&A says a homeowner is not liable to DOE for a contractor's installation of a noncompliant system. Both passages, and the regulation's line on outdoor units, are quoted below.

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Regional Standards Enforcement: Q&As (dated 27 February 2018), read 22 October 2026.

The 2023 standards FAQ, issued 5 October 2022 and read 22 October 2026, says: "It is illegal for your air conditioner contractor to install a product that does not meet the regional standards in the Southeast and Southwest."

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

Paragraph (c)(6)(ii) of 10 CFR 430.32 says: "Any model of outdoor unit that has a certified combination with a rating below the applicable standard level(s) for a region cannot be installed in that region."

Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

The Department of Energy's Office of the General Counsel page of regional standards Q&As, dated February 27, 2018 and read 22 October 2026, answers a homeowner's question about liability: "No, a homeowner is not liable to DOE for a contractor’s installation of a noncompliant central air conditioner system." It goes on: "In fact, if a noncompliant unit or system is installed, the homeowner may be able to obtain replacement of the noncompliant unit or system with a compliant unit or system, at no cost to the homeowner."

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Regional Standards Enforcement: Q&As (dated 27 February 2018), read 22 October 2026.

That Q&A page was written before the 2023 SEER2 standards, and this page quotes only its answers on liability and on how to look up a combination. For the lookup, it points to DOE's eeCompass database, where you "select Browse & Compare Products, and then select Air Conditioners under Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning".

Source: U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Regional Standards Enforcement: Q&As (dated 27 February 2018), read 22 October 2026.

What should you ask before you sign for a new AC?

Ask each bidder to write the exact outdoor and indoor model numbers and their efficiency ratings on the quote, so you can compare them with the minimum for your state before you sign. This is practical reasoning, not legal advice and not a finding from any agency.

  1. Find your state on the lists quoted above. If it is on neither, the nationwide figures apply.
  2. Ask for the outdoor unit's model number and the indoor coil or air handler's model number on every quote, not only a brand name and a size.
  3. Ask for the SEER2 rating of that matched pair, and in Arizona, California, Nevada or New Mexico the EER2 rating too.

    Source: 10 CFR 430.32, Energy and water conservation standards and their compliance dates (eCFR), read 22 October 2026.

  4. If a quote shows only an older SEER figure, ask for the SEER2 figure in writing.

    Source: U.S. Department of Energy, 2023 Central Air Conditioner Standards FAQ (PDF, issued 5 October 2022), read 22 October 2026.

  5. Look the combination up in DOE's eeCompass database yourself, using the menu steps quoted above.
  6. Keep the quote, the model numbers and the install date with your home records.

Who sees your contact details when you post on InstaBids?

When you ask contractors to bid on a new air conditioner, you share a description of your home and the system you want replaced. Contact details stay hidden until the homeowner picks a contractor and they confirm the connection.

Source: InstaBids process and privacy, live-page excerpts, read 22 October 2026.

Post your job on InstaBids, and contractors can bid in writing on one written scope.

Homeowners anywhere in the US can post a job; once you send it, InstaBids finds contractors to bid on it.

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