Briefs: Energy efficiency rise in the US residential sector

According to statistics compiled by the Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute (ARI), energy-efficient products are gaining ground in the US residential sector. Following the rise of the mandatory energy efficiency standard to 13 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) instead of 10 SEER for all air conditioners and heat pumps sold as of January 2006, the average SEER, which showed a big jump from 2005 to 2006, still demonstrated a substantial jump through June 2007. When the previously mandated SEER rating jumped from 8 SEER to 10 SEER in 1992, acceptance of higher efficiency was a bit slower. Over a period of 15 years, from 1991 to 2006, the average SEER for all units sold in the residential sector has increased +38% for unitary air conditioners, +37% for heat pumps and +39% for split-system condensing units.