ENERGY STAR® Program Requirements for
Light Commercial HVAC
Eligibility Criteria
Below is the product specification for ENERGY STAR qualified light commercial HVAC equipment. Please
note that the primary focus of this initiative is cooling efficiency; ENERGY STAR reserves the right to
address heating efficiency at some later date and will coordinate with industry, as appropriate.
A product must meet all of the identified criteria if it is to be qualified as ENERGY STAR by its
manufacturer.
1) Definitions: Below is a brief description of light commercial HVAC equipment and common measures
of efficiency applicable to ENERGY STAR.
A.	Central Air Conditioner: A central air-conditioner model consists of one or more factory-made
assemblies that 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. For the purposes of this
specification, both split system (i.e., a system with components located both inside and outside of
a building) and single package units (i.e., a system that has all components completely contained
in one unit) rated at 65,000 Btu/h or up to 250,000 Btu/h are eligible for the ENERGY STAR label.
In addition, three-phase equipment rated below 65,000 Btu/h may qualify according to the
specification in Section 3.
B.	Heat Pump: A heat pump model consists of one or more factory-made assemblies that normally
include an indoor conditioning coil(s), compressor(s), and outdoor coil(s), including means to
provide a heating function. Heat pumps 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. For the purposes of this specification, both split system and single
package units rated at 65,000 Btu/h or up to 250,000 Btu/h are eligible for the ENERGY STAR
label. In addition, three-phase equipment rated below 65,000 Btu/h may qualify according to the
specification in Section 3.
C.	Gas/Electric Package Unit: A single package unit with gas heating and electric air conditioning
that is often installed on a slab or a roof. For the purposes of this specification, units rated at
65,000 Btu/h or up to 250,000 Btu/h are eligible for the ENERGY STAR label assuming they meet
the cooling portion of the specification in Section 3. In addition, three-phase equipment rated
below 65,000 Btu/h may qualify according to the specification in Section 3.
D.	Cooling Capacity: The cooling capacity is the quantity of heat in BTU (British Thermal Units) that
an air conditioner or heat pump is able to remove from an enclosed space during a one-hour
E.	Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER): EER is a measure of efficiency in the cooling mode that represents
the ratio of total cooling capacity (Btu/hour) to electrical energy input (Watts). EER will be
calculated according to the test procedure listed in Section 4.
F.	Coefficient of Performance (COP): COP is a measure of efficiency in the heating mode that
represents the ratio of total heating capacity (Btu) to electrical input (also in Btu). COP will be
calculated according to the test procedure in Section 4.
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G.	Integrated Part-Load Value (IPLV): IPLV is a measure of part-load performance for an air
conditioner or heat pump. IPLV will be calculated according to the test procedure in Section 4.
H.	Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER): SEER is a measure of equipment energy efficiency
over the cooling season. It represents the total cooling of a central air-conditioner or heat pump
(in Btu) during the normal cooling season as compared to the total electric energy input (in watt-
hours) consumed during the same period. SEER will be calculated according to the test
procedure in Section 4.
I.	Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF): HSPF is a measure of a heat pump's energy
efficiency over one heating season. It represents the total heating output of a heat pump (including
supplementary electric heat) during the normal heating season (in Btu) as compared to the total
electricity consumed (in watt-hours) during the same period. HSPF will be calculated according to
the test procedure in Section 4.
2) Qualifying Products: For the purposes of ENERGY STAR, light commercial HVAC equipment includes
the following: air-source air conditioners, air-source heat pumps, and gas/electric package units. As
mentioned above, both split system and single package units rated at 65,000 Btu/h or up to 250,000
Btu/h are eligible for the ENERGY STAR label. As it's used primarily in commercial settings, three-
phase equipment rated below 65,000 Btu/h may also qualify for the label.
3) Energy-Efficiency Specification for Qualifying Products: Products outlined in Tables 1 and 2 below
may qualify as ENERGY STAR. Please note that where applicable products must meet both the EER
and IPLV specification in order to be labeled as ENERGY STAR qualified.
Table 1: Criteria for ENERGY STAR Qualified Light Commercial Air Conditioners
Equipment Type
Size Category
Specification
Test
Procedure
Air-Source Air Conditioner
(3 phase)
<65,000 Btu/h
>12 SEER (as of Jan. 1,2002)
>13 SEER (as of Jan. 1,2004)
ARI 210/240
Air-Source Air Conditioner
>65,000 Btu/h - <135,000 Btu/h
>11.0 EER; 11.4 IPLV
ARI 210/240
Air-Source Air Conditioner
>135,000 Btu/h - <250,000 Btu/h
>10.8 EER; 11.2 IPLV
ARI 340/360
Gas/Electric Package Unit Note: To qualify for the ENERGY STAR label, a
gas/electric package unit must meet the appropriate air conditioner specification based
on its size category.
Table 2: Criteria for ENERGY STAR Qualified Light Commercial Heat Pumps
Equipment Type
Size Category
Specification
Test
Procedure
Air-Source Heat
Pump (3 phase)
<65,000 Btu/h
>12 SEER; 7.6 HSPF (asof Jan. 1,2002)
>13 SEER; 7.7 HSPF (asof Jan. 1,2004)
ARI 210/240
Air-Source Heat
Pump
>65,000 Btu/h - <135,000 Btu/h
>10.1 EER (10.4 IPLV); 3.2 COP
ARI 210/240
COP rated at
47° F
Air-Source Heat
Pump
>135,000 Btu/h - <250,000 Btu/h
>9.3 EER (9.5 IPLV); 3.1 COP
ARI 340/360
COP rated at
47° F
4) Test Procedure: The manufacturer shall perform energy-efficiency tests, or have tests performed by
outside testing labs, as necessary, to determine which products comply. Based on the results of these
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tests, the manufacturer shall self-certify those products that it determines are compliant with the
specification outlined above. Light commercial air conditioners and heat pumps shall qualify under
rating conditions in accordance with ARI 210/240 or ARI 340/360, as appropriate. The test procedure
for each equipment type and size category is provided in Tables 1 and 2 of Section 3.
5) Effective Date: The date that manufacturers may begin to qualify products as ENERGY STAR is
defined as the effective date of the agreement. The ENERGY STAR Light Commercial HVAC
specification is effective on January 1, 2002. A manufacturer has one year after signing the
Partnership Agreement to ensure that at least one ENERGY STAR qualified light commercial HVAC
model appears on the ENERGY STAR qualified product list.
For three-phase models, a revised specification will take effect on January 1, 2004. All products
shipped after this date, including models originally qualified under the 12 SEER specification, must
meet the 13 SEER specification in order to bear the ENERGY STAR label (including additional
shipments of models originally qualified under 12 SEER).
6) Future Specification Revisions: ENERGY STAR reserves the right to change the specification should
technological and/or market changes affect its usefulness to consumers, industry, or the environment.
In keeping with current policy, revisions to the specification are arrived at through industry
discussions.
In January 2003, the ENERGY STAR program will begin a review of the 13 SEER specification for
three-phase models, which is to take effect on January 1, 2004. During this evaluation process,
ENERGY STAR will determine if the 13 SEER specification will effectively recognize the appropriate
mix of energy-efficient models and their manufacturers. If necessary, the specification may be revised
based on manufacturers' market data and reissued. Prior to and during this time frame, industry will
have an opportunity to share its data, submit proposals, and voice any concerns.
ENERGY STAR believes that air-source heat pump equipment (>65,000 - <250,000 Btu/h) has the
potential for further energy-efficiency improvements in the near term (e.g., next two years) and will
track the market and review its specifications accordingly.
ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Light Commercial HVAC

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