Codes & Standards
Federal HVAC rules, efficiency standards, permits, tax credits and rebates, with effective dates and citations checked against the eCFR and Federal Register.
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The 2026 Refrigerant Leak Rules Exclude Residential HVAC
The leak repair regime at 40 CFR 84.106 took effect January 1, 2026 and explicitly excludes residential and light commercial air conditioning. What it covers, and what still…
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The HFC Phasedown Halves Again in 2029. Here Is the Schedule.
Allowances halve from 60% of baseline to 30% on January 1, 2029, the largest single step in the schedule. What that means for a very large installed base…
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Window AC Efficiency Standards Just Jumped Up to 50%
Federal minimums for window and through-the-wall air conditioners rose between 19% and 50% for units manufactured from May 26, 2026. Every equipment class went up, with mid-size units…
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SEER2 Minimum Requirements: National and Regional Standards
The national SEER2 floor is 13.4 for split air conditioners and 14.3 with 7.5 HSPF2 for split heat pumps. Air conditioners carry a higher regional minimum tied to…
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The 25C Heat Pump Tax Credit Expired. What That Costs You in 2026
Up to $2,000 came off a qualifying heat pump in 2025. In 2026 it comes off nothing federally, and the date that matters is installation, not purchase.
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HVAC Prices in 2026: The Data Behind the Sticker Shock
HVAC equipment producer prices are up 60 percent since 2019, roughly twice general inflation. An original index built from federal data, plus what the refrigerant and tax credit…