NAHB Seeks Deadline Extension on Energy Standards

Energy
Published
Contact: Heather Voorman
[email protected]
AVP, Government Affairs
(202) 266-8425

NAHB today sent a letter to the Department of Energy requesting the agency to extend its deadline to meet the installation of new residential central air‐conditioning and heat pump equipment Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) standards from Jan. 1, 2023, to July 1, 2023.

The extension request was made to provide the home building industry with adequate time to install HVAC equipment that is currently in compliance with SEER requirements but hasn’t yet been installed due to construction delays and supply chain issues.

"NAHB supports periodic, cost‐effective increases in minimum efficiency standards for equipment, however, the simultaneous deadlines for manufacturing and installing HVAC equipment before new efficiency standards are implemented create timing issues for builders across the country," the letter stated. "In new construction, HVAC equipment is typically installed in phases with the air handler, furnace, and fans being installed in the attic at rough‐in while the exterior condensing unit is installed just before closing, which is usually many months later.

"This timing issue is exacerbated by the nation’s ongoing supply chain crisis. Severe shortages of building materials—including HVAC equipment—have resulted in lengthy construction delays and postponement of projects, along with dramatic price increases. These unprecedented supply chain concerns make it almost impossible for builders to anticipate when they might be able to install exterior HVAC components."

The letter further stated that the supply chain crisis and subsequent construction delays have had a dramatic impact on costs for builders, home buyers, and renters.

"Extending the energy efficiency standards installation deadline for HVAC equipment by six months is a reasonable safeguard to avoid unnecessary delays and cost increases," NAHB told the DOE. "This extension will furthermore provide home builders with greater certainty regarding their construction plans at a time when many details and costs are outside of their control."

Subscribe to NAHBNow

Log in or create account to subscribe to notifications of new posts.

Log in to subscribe

Latest from NAHBNow

Economics

Oct 17, 2025

How Diverse Is the Construction Workforce?

Diversifying the construction labor force remains a key priority amid persistent skilled labor shortages. The most notable trend has been the steady rise of Hispanic participation, according to the American Community Survey.

Codes and Standards | Resiliency

Oct 16, 2025

Are Today’s Building Codes Enough to Improve Home Resilience?

In the face of rapidly increasing losses from natural disasters, many housing advocates are pushing for more stringent building codes to make homes more resilient to disaster. But is that the best path forward?

View all

Latest Economic News

Economics

Oct 17, 2025

Better Growth, Larger Deficits: CBO Fiscal Outlook

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a key nonpartisan score keeper that measures the effects of policy changes by the Federal Government. With several policy changes since January of this year, including the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), stricter immigration, and higher tariffs, the CBO updated its economic projections through 2028.

Economics

Oct 16, 2025

Amid Market Challenges, Builder Expectations Rise in October

Even as builders continue to grapple with market and macroeconomic uncertainty, sentiment levels posted a solid gain in October as future sales expectations surpassed the 50-point breakeven mark for the first time since last January.

Economics

Oct 15, 2025

Builders Stay Cautious as Single-Family Permits Weaken

In August, single-family permit activity softened, reflecting caution among developers amid persistent economic headwinds. This trend has been consistent for eight continuous months.