August 2022 New Products

Oxbox Ready to Meet New Efficiency Standards

The changes taking place and the requirements for the coming changes in HVAC efficiency ratings have been well-documented, and will alter previous requirements that had been in place since 2015.

The efficiency standards were increased and new testing procedures for manufacturers were established as SEER2, EER2 and HSPF2. Starting January 1, 2023, air conditioners installed in the northern United States must be rated at 14.0 SEER (13.4 SEER2) and units installed in the southeast and southwest regions must achieve a 15.0 SEER (14.3 SEER2) rating. Heat pumps in all regions that were previously 14.0 SEER must reach minimum efficiency of 15.0 SEER (14.3 SEER2). 16 SEER will become 15.2 SEER2.

Brian Steckroth, Oxbox portfolio leader, spoke with Contracting Business to describe the activity of the past year – which included six months of product testing and approvals -- and to assure HVAC contractors distributors that Oxbox is fully prepared for the changes, and will have plenty of inventory to go around.

“In a world of supply challenges and tooling delays, it was crucial that we started early, and planned it out. The good news is, we will have the right DOE products for all Oxbox customers in time,” Steckroth said. “Our warehouse will be full of 14.3 SEER2 products in October. We encourage our customers and distributors to bleed out their current 14 SEER inventory, especially in the southeast and southwest, and refill in October to December to be ready for January 1.”

Oxbox™ is a newer line of affordable, durable residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment for single and multifamily replacement and home builder markets in North America, introduced in 2019. Oxbox is a brand endorsed by Trane that offers options for affordable and durable HVAC systems. The Oxbox portfolio includes air conditioning units, heat pumps, air handlers, coils, packaged units and furnaces.

Steckroth said the efficiency upgrade is logical, and in step with Oxbox and parent company Trane’s sustainability pledge. “It will be good for the environment and our customers,” he said.

Steckroth suggested HVAC contractors can best prepare by taking time to forecast immediate needs for 2023, and have a plan to stage the 14 SEER equipment upfront for the remainder of 2022 sales, to be ready for the new DOE 2023 equipment as it arrives in Q4 2022.

“You might need some revised sales plans, and make sure your service technicians know how to install the new units. The primary installation difference is to have the right indoor-rated product to match the outdoor product,” he advised.

Steckroth said HVAC contractors are most concerned about availability, but Oxbox is committed to having all product available on October 1.

“Their next question is about ratings. We were able to rate our new outdoor unit with our current indoor unit. So, if contractors have leftover air handlers and coils, we will still have ratings for those products.  They will not have the full breadth and optimized portfolio until they buy the new DOE coils and DOE air handlers, but they’ll be able to sell them in Q1 and Q2 of 2023. Additionally, there are always questions about sell-through in the South. It’s very crucial that nobody in the South sells any 14 SEER units after January 1, 2023.  We encourage our distributors to leverage their relationships with any distributors in the North, and they could sell it up North.” Oxboxhvac.com