In the United States, HVAC systems must meet certain legal requirements regarding efficiency ratings, cooling capacity, and classification. When customers buy an HVAC, they judge its efficiency and performance based on the numbers mentioned on the spec sheet.

Recently, a third-party reviewer has raised a significant concern regarding how the Applied Comfort CoolFlows32 units are being marketed. The reviewer claims that the CoolFlows32 TPHE10L00E6 AND TPHE10K10E6 series are illegal and non-compliant with DOE minimum efficiency requirements, along with other issues. 

According to the review, the product does not meet federal energy rules and uses illegal and misleading performance ratings. This issue is affecting energy bills, building compliance, and even creating legal liability for buyers and installers. Below, we break down the allegations and explain how the company is faking numbers and making false efficiency and performance claims.

They Are Failing to Meet DOE (Minimum Efficiency Requirements)

Federal law requires air conditioners and heat pumps sold in the USA to meet minimum efficiency standards. For a unit in the 10,000-120,000 BTU range, the required efficiency is around 13.4 SEER2 or higher, depending on the classification. The Applied Comfort CoolFlow advertises its units with efficiency ratings that appear below the standard thresholds when converted to the legal SEER2 standards. The claim review suggests that if the unit were tested correctly under the DOE procedure, it would fail to meet the minimum requirement. That would make the unit non-compliant and potentially illegal to install or sell in the market.  

Misclassification of the Unit

Another serious concern is the unit's classification. According to the analysis, the CoolFlow32 might be mislabeled, suggesting it belongs to a different system type than it actually does. Other types of HVAC equipment have different efficiency standards. If a unit that works like a heat pump is sold under a category with lower requirements, it can bypass stricter testing rules. The report suggests that this misclassification could be intentional and aimed at avoiding compliance.

Questionable Performance Numbers

The report highlights that the energy performance numbers look strange. For example, a claimed 10,000 BTU output paired with an 8.9 EER raises mathematical inconsistencies when compared to real-world energy consumption and standard lab results. This raises concerns that the numbers might not come from proper testing.  If the data is fabricated or exaggerated, customers could end up paying significantly more in electricity costs than expected. Engineers and installers who rely on these specs could also get into trouble and face compliance or legal problems later.

Potential Impact on Buyers and Installers

If the claims are accurate, their impact can be serious. Buyers may be overpaying for performance that does not exist. Installers could face legal risk for installing noncompliant equipment. And building owners may unknowingly violate energy codes. This is why these allegations deserve attention. Customers deserve transparent, honest, and legally compliant performance data, and if the allegations are factual, they are also eligible for compensation. 

Conclusion 

If the reviewers' claims are correct, the CoolFlow32 unit has serious compliance issues. It does not meet the legal efficiency standards it should, and it uses illegal ratings instead of the required tests. By mislabeling the product, it can avoid stricter regulations and publish numbers that don’t add up. This leaves customers, installers, and building owners in a tough spot. They may be relying on unverified, potentially illegal data to market. This raises important questions about the product’s performance, its operating costs, and whether it is even following the law. Anyone thinking about this product should be very cautious.