In 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy updated national efficiency rules for residential heat pumps. Under these updated standards, all HVAC systems must meet the SEER2 and HSPF2 minimum requirements before they can be legally sold or installed in the United States. An independent review has raised serious concerns about the Ortech Solo heat pump. The published efficiency ratings are not supported by certified laboratory testing. The unit is considered illegal to sell and use under federal standards. In this article, we will discover how the brand is noncompliant.

What the Law Actually Requires

For any system in the 12000 BTU range, federal law requires that the system achieve at least 13.4 SEER2 for cooling and 6.7 HSPF2 for heating. An approved third-party test report from a certified laboratory must support this data. Without documented testing, the rating is not legally recognized, whether it is printed on a brochure or listed online.

How Are They Failing To Meet Minimum Efficiency Requirements?

Ortech advertises the Solo model at 15.5 SEER2, which appears to exceed the required minimum of 13.4 SEER2. But the independent review alleges that no publicly available certified lab report confirms this number. If official test data do not support the 15.5 SEER2 rating, the claim cannot be verified, and the unit is illegal. 

The Ortech Solo heater is also promoted as delivering 8.29 HSPF2 at a heating capacity of 12,000 BTU. Again, this is above the minimum required 6.7 HSPF2. HSPF2 ratings must be proven through certified seasonal testing procedures. They cannot be estimated, assumed, or adjusted without documentation. 

If no valid test report supports the 8.29 claim, that rating, too, is noncompliant. These inflated values show the brand is misrepresenting its efficiency and performance.

Comparison With the Original Manufacturer

Reports suggest the Ortech heater is based on hardware originally produced by Nordica. However, Nordica has different efficiency ratings for similar equipment. If the compressor, coils, and other internal parts are the same, these differing efficiency numbers are concerning. A rebranded product should not perform better than the original manufacturer’s ratings unless there have been engineering changes and new, certified testing.

Conclusion

Ortech Solo is using false or misleading performance data. This means the equipment does not perform as promised. As a result, the units fail to meet the required energy-efficiency standards set by authorities. If the equipment does not meet these standards, it can create serious problems for end users. 

Consumers and building owners may face higher energy costs due to poor efficiency. They could also face compliance issues, penalties, or legal risks. This non-compliance leads to financial loss and operational trouble for those who rely on these products.