Since 1992, the minimums for split systems and packaged equipment have been 10 SEER for central air conditioners and heat pumps, plus 6.8 HSPF for heat pumps. When the legislative fighting over numbers ended and the dust settled this time around, we were left with the new 13 SEER standard - and, once again, a few hurdles to jump.
The articles in this issue will examine the new standard as it developed from a number of perspectives - the legislative battles, system concerns, and market forces - and summarize where the industry is now. These stories condense the information from more than 50 articles, which are available to subscribers in our online archives at The News' Web site, www.achrnews.com.