ENERGY STAR
Most Efficient
2012
www.energystar.gov
Eligibility Criteria for Recognition
Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
Scope
Included products. Residential central air conditioners and heat pumps (as defined below) are
eligible for Most Efficient recognition in 2012.
Air-Source Heat Pump (ASHP): An air-source unitary heat pump model consists of one or more
factory-made assemblies, which normally include an indoor conditioning coil(s), compressor(s),
and outdoor coil(s), including means to provide a heating function. ASHPs shall provide the
function of air heating with controlled temperature, and may include the functions of air-cooling,
air-circulation, air-cleaning, dehumidifying or humidifying.
Central Air Conditioner: A central air conditioner model consists of one or more factory-made
assemblies, which normally include an evaporator or cooling coil(s), compressor(s), and
condenser(s). Central air conditioners provide the function of air-cooling, and may include the
functions of air-circulation, air-cleaning, dehumidifying or humidifying.
Geothermal Heat Pump (GHP): A GHP uses the thermal energy of the ground or groundwater to
provide residential space conditioning and/or domestic water heating. A GHP model normally
consists of one or more factory-made assemblies that include indoor conditioning and/or
domestic water heat exchanger(s), compressors, and a ground-side heat exchanger. A GHP
model may provide space heating, space cooling, domestic water heating, or a combination of
these functions and may also include the functions of liquid circulation, thermal storage, air
circulation, air cleaning, dehumidifying or humidifying. A GHP system generally consists of one
or more GHP models, the ground heat exchanger(s), the air and/or hydronic space conditioning
distribution system(s), temperature controls, and thermal storage tanks.
Excluded products. The following products are not eligible for Most Efficient recognition in 2012:
•	Units that run on three-phase power.
•	Central Air Conditioning or Air Source Heat Pump Units rated for more than 65,000
Btu/hr of cooling. This limit does not apply to GHPs.
Recognition Criteria
1) Product must be ENERGY STAR qualified consistent with applicable ENERGY STAR
Partner Commitments and the requirements set forth in the latest version of the ENERGY STAR
Program Requirements Product Specifications for central air conditioners/air-source heat pumps
and GHPs (Versions 4.1 and 3.1, respectively). Product performance must be certified by an
EPA-recognized certification body.
Continued on the next page.
Final ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2012 Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Eligibility Criteria
Effective January 2012

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2) Products must meet the following cooling and heating performance levels:
Product type
SEER
EER
HSPF COP
Split AC
18
12.5

Split HP
18
12.5
9.6
Packaged AC
16
12

Packaged HP
16
12
8
Closed Loop Water-to-Air GHP

17.1
3.6
Open Loop Water-to-Air GHP

21.1
4.1
Closed Loop Water-to-Water GHP

16.1
3.1
Open Loop Water-to-Water GHP

20.1
3.5
DGX

16.0
3.6
3) Central AC, ASHPs, and ground source heat pumps must have communications, system
status and automated configuration capability as defined below.
System Controller: A thermostat or other control device with a user interface, which can be
located in conditioned space. It is strongly recommended, but not required, that the controller
have access to outside temperature data and that it translate all diagnostic and service
messages into plain text.
Communications: Units shall be able to participate in two-way communications with at least one
system controller model that is available for sale.
System status: Units shall be able to transmit any fault codes that indicate a need for technician
service to at least one system controller model that is available for sale. With this information,
the control device is able to advise homeowners to call their service personnel.
Automated configuration: Units shall be able to send and receive information to at least one
system controller model that is available for sale to automatically configure settings appropriate
to the controlled equipment, such as airflow for heating and cooling. This may include prompting
an installer through configuration of HVAC system settings and desired comfort settings, and a
test sequence at turn-on.
Recognition Period
Upon notification from an ENERGY STAR partner, EPA will add qualifying models to the Most
Efficient 2012 product list for central air conditioners and heat pumps from January 1, 2012
through December 31, 2012. The Most Efficient 2012 designation may be used in association
with models recognized during this period for as long as the model remains on the market.
Final ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2012 Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps Eligibility Criteria
Effective January 2012

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