The Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) organized information about FEMP-designated and ENERGY STAR-qualified heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) and water heating products into tables that mirror American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1-2019 minimum efficiency requirement tables. Federal buyers can use these tables as a reference and to incorporate the proper purchasing requirements set by FEMP and ENERGY STAR into federal acquisition documents.

Minimum efficiency and performance requirements tables for the following covered product categories are included in the sections below.

Air-Source Heat Pumps and Geothermal Heat Pumps

The table below includes minimum efficiency requirements for the following ENERGY STAR-qualified covered product categories: air-source heat pumps (residential) and geothermal heat pumps (residential).

These ASHRAE 90.1 equipment types are excluded: through-the-wall, air cooled; small-duct high velocity, air cooled; air conditioners, water cooled; air conditioners, evaporatively cooled; condensing units, air cooled; condensing units, water cooled; and condensing units, evaporatively cooled.

Electrically Operated Unitary Heat Pumps: Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Equipment Type Size Category Heating Section Type Subcategory or Rating Condition Minimum Efficiency
Air-cooled (cooling mode) <65,000 Btu/h All Split system 15.0 SEERa; 12.5 EERb; 8.5 HSPFc (single phase); 14.0 SEER (three phased)
Single package 15.0 SEER; 12.0 EER; 8.2 HSPF (single phase); 14.0 SEER (three phased)
≥65,000 Btu/h and <135,000 Btu/h Electric resistance (or none) Split system and single package 11.8 EER; 12.8 IEERe; 3.4 COPf at 47ºF
All other Split system and single package 11.6 EER; 12.6 IEER; 3.4 COP at 47ºF
≥135,000 Btu/h and <240,000 Btu/h Electric resistance (or none) Split system and single package 10.9 EER; 12.0 IEER; 3.3 COP at 47ºF
All other Split system and single package 10.7 EER; 11.8 IEER; 3.3 COP at 47ºF
≥240,000 Btu/hg Electric resistance (or none) Split system and single package 9.5 EER; 10.6 IEER
All other Split system and single package 9.3 EER; 10.4 IEER
Geothermal, closed loop water-to-air       17.1 EER; 3.6 COP (single phase)
Geothermal, open loop water-to-air       21.1 EER; 4.1 COP (single phase)
Geothermal, closed loop water-to-water       16.1 EER; 3.1 COP (single phase)
Geothermal, open loop water-to-water       20.1 EER; 3.5 COP (single phase)
Geothermal, direct geoexchange       16.0 EER; 3.6 COP (single phase)

a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the total heat removed from the conditioned space during the annual cooling season, expressed in British thermal units (Btu), divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the air conditioner or heat pump during the same season, expressed in Watt-hours.
b Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) is the ratio of the average rate of space cooling delivered to the average rate of electrical energy consumed by the air conditioner or heat pump. This ratio is expressed in Btu/Watt-hour.
c Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) is the total space heating required in U.S. climate region IV (mixed dry climate) during the space heating season, expressed in Btu, divided by the total electrical energy consumed by the heat pump system during the same season, expressed in Watt-hours.
d Three-phase heat pumps in the <65,000 Btu/h category are not covered by federal purchasing requirements. Minimum efficiency presented is consistent with ASRHAE 90.1 requirements Table 6.8.1-2.
e Integrated Energy Efficiency Ratio (IEER) is a weighted average calculation of mechanical cooling EERs determined for four load levels and corresponding rating conditions, as measured in Appendix A of Subpart F of 10 CFR part 431, expressed in Btu/Watt-hour.
f Coefficient of Performance (COP) is the ratio of the produced cooling effect of an air conditioner or heat pump (or its produced heating effect, depending on the mode of operation) to its net work input, when both the cooling (or heating) effect and the net work input are expressed in identical units of measurement.
g Heat pumps with size equal to or greater than 240,000 Btu/h are not covered by federal purchasing requirements. Minimum efficiency presented is consistent with ASRHAE 90.1 requirements Table 6.8.1-2.

All definitions are taken from ENERGY STAR or other reputed sources.

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Boilers

The table below includes minimum efficiency requirements for the following FEMP-designated and ENERGY STAR-qualified covered product categories: boilers (commercial) and boilers (residential).

Gas- and Oil-Fired Boilers: Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Equipment Type Subcategory or Rating Condition Size Category (Input) Efficiency Metric Minimum Efficiency
Boilers, hot water Gas-fired <300,000 Btu/h AFUEa 90%
≥300,000 Btu/h and ≤2,500,000 Btu/h Etb 94%
>2,500,000 Btu/h and ≤10,000,000 Btu/h Ecd 96%
>10,000,000 Btu/hd Ec 82%
Oil-fired <300,000 Btu/h AFUE 87%
≥300,000 Btu/h and ≤2,500,000 Btu/h Et 94%
>2,500,000 Btu/h and ≤10,000,000 Btu/h Ec 89%
>10,000,000 Btu/hd Ec 84%
Boilers, steam Gas-fired <300,000 Btu/h AFUE 90%
Gas-fired (all, except natural draft) ≥300,000 Btu/h and ≤2,500,000 Btu/h Et 94%
>2,500,000 Btu/h and ≤10,000,000 Btu/h Et 83%
>10,000,000 Btu/hd Et 79%
Gas-fired, natural draft ≥300,000 Btu/h and ≤2,500,000 Btu/h Et 94%
>2,500,000 Btu/h and ≤10,000,000 Btu/h Et 83%
>10,000,000 Btu/hd Et 79%
Oil-fired <300,000 Btu/h AFUE 87%
≥300,000 Btu/h and ≤2,500,000 Btu/h Et 94%
>2,500,000 Btu/h and ≤10,000,000 Btu/h Et 85.5%
>10,000,000 Btu/hd Et 81%

a Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) is the ratio of annual output energy to annual input energy, which includes any non-heating season pilot input loss and, for gas or oil-fired furnaces or boilers, does not include electric energy. Residential Boilers are covered by ENERGY STAR and use AFUE as the efficiency metric.
b Thermal efficiency (Et) is based on Hydronics Institute, Method to Determine Efficiency of Commercial Space Heating Boilers (HI BTS-2000, Rev. 06.07), and includes the radiation and convection losses from boiler shell in addition to the flue losses.
c Combustion efficiency (Ec) is the total energy input (100%) minus the percent of flue losses.
d Boilers with input greater than 10,000,000 Btu/h are not covered by federal purchasing requirements. Minimum efficiency presented is consistent with ASRHAE 90.1-2019 Table 6.8.1-6.

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Central Air Conditioners and Light Commercial Heating and Cooling Equipment

The table below includes minimum efficiency requirements for the following ENERGY STAR-qualified covered product categories:  central air conditioners (residential) and light commercial heating and cooling equipment.

These ASHRAE 90.1 equipment types are excluded: through-the-wall, air cooled; small-duct high velocity, air cooled; air conditioners, water cooled; air conditioners, evaporatively cooled; condensing units, air cooled; condensing units, water cooled; and condensing units, evaporatively cooled.

Electrically Operated Unitary Air Conditioners: Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Equipment Type Size Category Heating Section Type Subcategory or Rating Condition Minimum Efficiency
Air conditioners, air-cooled <65,000 Btu/h All Split system 15.0 SEER and 12.5 EER (single phase); 13.0 SEER (three phasea)
Single package 15.0 SEER and 12.0 EER (single phase); 14.0 SEER (three phasea)
≥65,000 Btu/h and <135,000 Btu/h Electric resistance (or none) Split system and single package 12.2 EER and 14.0 IEER
All other Split system and single package 12.0 EER and 13.8 IEER
≥135,000 Btu/h and <240,000 Btu/h Electric resistance (or none) Split system and single package 12.2 EER and 13.2 IEER
All other Split system and single package 12.0 EER and 13.0 IEER
≥240,000 Btu/h and <760,000 Btu/hb Electric resistance (or none) Split system and single package 10.0 EER and 11.6 IEER
All other Split system and single package 9.8 EER and 11.4 IEER
≥760,000 Btu/hb Electric resistance (or none) Split system and single package 9.7 EER and 11.2 IEER
All other Split system and single package 9.5 EER and 11.0 IEER

a Three-phase air conditioners in the <65,000 Btu/h category are not covered by federal purchasing requirements.
b Air conditioners with size equal to or greater than 240,000 Btu/h are not covered by federal purchasing requirements. Minimum efficiency presented is consistent with ASRHAE 90.1 Table 6.8.1-1.

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Table Terms

EER - energy efficiency ratio
IEER - integrated energy efficiency ratio
SEER - seasonal energy efficiency ratio

Electric Chillers, Air-Cooled and Water-Cooled

The table below includes minimum efficiency requirements for the following FEMP-designated covered product categories: electric chillers, air-cooled; and electric chillers, water-cooled.

These ASHRAE 90.1 equipment types are excluded: air-cooled absorption, single effect; water-cooled absorption, single effect; absorption double effect, indirect fired; and absorption double effect, direct fired chillers.

Water-Chilling Packages: Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Equipment Type Size Category Units Minimum Efficiency
Path A (Full-Load Optimized Applications) Path B (Part-Load Optimized Applications)
Air-cooled <150 t EERa (Btu/W) ≥10.89 FLb ≥9.70 FL
≥13.7 IPLVc ≥16.86 IPLV
Air-cooled ≥150 t EER (Btu/W) ≥10.964 FL ≥9.70 FL
≥14.00 IPLV ≥17.13 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated positive displacement <75 t kW/t ≤0.728 FL ≤0.78 FL
≤0.60 IPLV ≤0.50 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated positive displacement ≥75 t and <150 t kW/t ≤0.714 FL ≤0.75 FL
≤0.56 IPLV ≤0.49 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated positive displacement ≥150 t and <300 t kW/t ≤0.628 FL ≤0.68 FL
≤0.54 IPLV ≤0.44 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated positive displacement ≥300 t and <600 t kW/t ≤0.61 FL ≤0.625 FL
≤0.52 IPLV ≤0.41 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated positive displacement ≥600 t kW/t ≤0.56 FL ≤0.585 FL
≤0.50 IPLV ≤0.38 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated centrifugal <150 t kW/t ≤0.61 FL ≤0.695 FL
≤0.55 IPLV ≤0.44 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated centrifugal ≥150 t and <300 t kW/t ≤0.544 FL ≤0.635 FL
≤0.55 IPLV ≤0.38 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated centrifugal ≥300 t and <400 t kW/t ≤0.544 FL ≤0.595 FL
≤0.52 IPLV ≤0.37 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated centrifugal ≥400 t and <600 t kW/t ≤0.541 FL ≤0.585 FL
≤0.50 IPLV ≤0.36 IPLV
Water-cooled, electrically operated centrifugal ≥600 t kW/t ≤0.52 FL ≤0.585 FL
≤0.50 IPLV ≤0.325 IPLV

a Energy efficiency ratio (EER) is the ratio of the average rate of space cooling delivered to the average rate of electrical energy consumed by the equipment (in this case. chiller). In the case of chillers, it is expressed in British thermal unit/Watt (Btu/W).
b Full-load efficiency (FL) is calculated while the equipment is operating at 100% load.
c Integrated Part-Load Value (IPLV) efficiency is calculated using the efficiency of the equipment while operating at load capacities of 100%, 75%, 50%, and 25% as prescribed in the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute 550/590 test procedure.

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Electric Water Heaters, Gas Storage Water Heaters, Gas Water Heaters, and Solar Water Heaters

The table below includes performance requirements for the following FEMP-designated and ENERGY STAR-qualified covered product categories: water heaters (residential), and gas water heaters (commercial).

These ASHRAE 90.1 equipment types are excluded: oil storage water heaters; oil instantaneous water heaters; hot-water supply boilers, gas and oil; hot-water supply boilers, gas; hot-water supply boilers, oil; pool heaters, oil and gas; heat-pump pool heaters; and unfired storage tanks.

 

Water-Heating Equipment: Performance Requirements
Equipment Type Size Category (Input) Subcategory or Rating Condition Performance Required
Electric storage water heaters ≤24 A and ≤250 V Integrated heat pump water heater (HPWH) UEFa ≥3.3 and FHRb ≥45 gal/h
Integrated HPWH, >120 V / 15 Amp circuit UEF ≥2.2 and FHR ≥45 gal/h
Split-system HPWH UEF ≥2.2 and FHR ≥45 gal/h
>12kW HPWH COPh ≥3.0
Gas storage water heaters ≤75,000 Btu/h ≥20 gal and ≤55 gal UEF ≥0.64 (Medium DPc); UEF ≥0.68 (High DP) and FHR ≥51 gal/h
>55 gal and ≤100 gal UEF ≥0.78 (Medium DP); UEF ≥0.80 (High DP) and FHR ≥51 gal/h
>75,000 and ≤105,000 Btu/hrd ≤120 gal
≤180ºF		 UEF ≥0.80
>75,000 Btu/h >4,000 (Btu/h)/gal TEe ≥0.94 and SLf ≤0.84 * [(input rate/800) + 100√volume)] Btu/h
Gas instantaneous water heaters ≥50,000 Btu/h and <200,000 Btu/h <4,000 (Btu/h)/gal UEF ≥0.87 and GPMg ≥2.8 over a 67°F rise
≥200,000 Btu/h ≥4,000 (Btu/h)/gal TE ≥0.94 and SL ≤0.84 * [(input rate/800) + 100√volume)] Btu/h
Solar water heaters ≤75,000 Btu/h Electric backup SUEFh ≥3.0
Gas backup SUEF ≥1.8

a Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) is the measure of water heater energy efficiency, as defined in 10 CFR 430 Subpart B.
b First-Hour Rating (FHR) is an estimate of the maximum volume of hot water in gallons that a storage water heater can supply within an hour that begins with the water heater fully heated.
c Draw Pattern (DP) refers to the water draw profile in the UEF test.
d Gas storage water heaters with input capacity >75,000 and ≤105,000 Btu/hr must comply with the requirements of the >75,000 Btu/hr if the water heater either (1) has a storage volume > 120 gal; (2) is designed to provide outlet hot water temperatures greater than 180°F; or (3) uses three-phase power.
e Thermal Efficiency (TE) is the ratio of the heat transferred to the water flowing through the water heater to the amount of energy consumed by the water heater.
f SL is the standby loss.

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Gas Furnaces

The table below includes minimum efficiency requirements for the following ENERGY STAR-qualified covered product category: gas furnaces (residential).

These ASHRAE 90.1 equipment types are excluded: warm-air duct furnaces, gas fired; warm-air unit heaters, gas fired; and warm-air unit heaters, oil fired.

Warm-Air Furnaces: Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Equipment Type Size Category (Input) Subcategory or Rating Condition Minimum Efficiency
Warm-air furnace, gas fired <225,000 Btu/h Maximum capacity ≥95.0% (U.S. North/Canada)
≥90.0% (U.S. South)
≥225,000 Btu/ha Maximum capacity 80% Et
Warm-air furnace, oil fired <225,000 Btu/h Maximum capacity ≥85% AFUE
≥225,000 Btu/ha Maximum capacity 81% Et
a Furnaces with input equal to or greater than 225,000 Btu/h are not covered by federal purchasing requirements. Minimum efficiency presented is consistent with ASRHAE 90.1-2013 Table 6.8.1-5.

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Table Terms

AFUE - annual fuel utilization efficiency
Et - thermal efficiency

Room Air Conditioners

The table below includes minimum efficiency requirements for the following ENERGY STAR-qualified covered product category: room air conditioners (residential).

These ASHRAE 90.1 equipment types are excluded: packaged terminal air conditioners, packaged terminal heat pumps, single-package vertical air conditioners, and single-package vertical heat pumps.

Electrically Operated Room Air Conditioners: Minimum Efficiency Requirements
Equipment Type Size Category (Input) Subcategory or Rating Condition Minimum Efficiency
Room air conditioners with louvered sides <6,000 Btu/h - 12.1 CEER
≥6,000 Btu/h and <8,000 Btu/h - 12.1 CEER
≥8,000 Btu/h and <14,000 Btu/h - 12.0 CEER
≥14,000 Btu/h and <20,000 Btu/h - 11.8 CEER
≥20,000 Btu/h and <28,000 Btu/h - 10.3 CEER
≥28,000 Btu/h - 9.9 CEER
Room air conditioners without louvered sides ≤8,000 Btu/h - 11.0 CEER
≥8,000 Btu/h and <11,000 Btu/h - 10.6 CEER
≥11,000 Btu/h and <14,000 Btu/h - 10.5 CEER
≥14,000,000 Btu/h and <20,000 Btu/h - 10.2 CEER
≥20,000,000 Btu/h - 10.3 CEER
Room air-conditioner heat pumps with louvered sides <20,000 Btu/h - 10.8 CEER
≥20,000 Btu/h - 10.2 CEER
Room air-conditioner heat pumps without louvered sides <14,000 Btu/h - 10.2 CEER
≥14,000 Btu/h - 9.6 CEER
Room air conditioner, casement only All capacities - 10.5 CEER
Room air conditioner, casement slider All capacities - 11.4 CEER

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Table Terms

CEER - combined energy efficiency ratio
EER - energy efficiency ratio