Energía sets a new efficiency standard for air conditioners

The Secretariat of Energy of the Ministry of Economy has raised the minimum energy efficiency level required for air conditioning equipment in cooling mode. This was done through Resolution 242/2026 (RESOL-2026-242-APN-SE#MEC), signed on September 14, 2026, and published in the Official Gazette of the Argentine Republic on September 16, 2026, in its First Section.

The measure replaces Article 1 of Resolution No. 814/2013 of the then Secretariat of Energy, as worded by Resolution No. 426/2025. The new text approves, for the equipment covered by Resolution No. 438/2024 of the former Secretariat of Industry and Commerce, a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) greater than 8.50 as the maximum level of specific energy consumption or minimum energy efficiency.

The original file is EX-2026-82126978-APN-DGDA#MEC, and the regulation is issued in exercise of the powers of Article 22 of Decree No. 274/2019, Article 2 of Decree No. 55/2023, and Section IX of Annex II of Decree No. 50/2019.

From 5.60 to 8.50: the jump in the standard

Resolution No. 426/2025 had set an SEEI greater than 5.60 for equipment with a cooling capacity of up to 10.5 kW, in accordance with Standard IRAM 62406:2019. The new resolution raises that floor to 8.50, a value which, according to the recitals, corresponds to the highest efficiency category contemplated in that same standard and constitutes the level immediately above the current standard.

The official text justifies the update based on the recorded technological evolution and the availability of more efficient equipment. It specifically mentions the increasing incorporation of inverter technology, which allows for the regulation of compressor speed according to thermal demand, reduces on-off cycles, and mitigates power demand peaks on electrical grids.

Scope, deadlines, and enforcement authority

The affected universe is delimited as follows:

• Air conditioning equipment in cooling mode covered by Resolution No. 438/2024 and its amendments.
• Cooling capacity of up to 10.5 kW inclusive.
• Requirement of an SEEI higher than 8.50.

The effective application of the new level is not automatic: Article 2 makes it subject to the determination of the implementation period set by the National Directorate of Technical Regulations of the Secretariat of Industry, Commerce, and Small and Medium Enterprises, pursuant to Article 8 of Resolution No. 438/2024. That directorate may establish a phased implementation schedule.

Article 4 empowers the Undersecretariat of Energy Efficiency and Information to issue the complementary and clarifying regulations necessary to make the provisions of the resolution operational.

Repeal of a Duplicity and International Framework

The regulation repeals Article 3 of Resolution No. 814/2013. The recitals explain that, following the modifications of Resolution No. 426/2025, the standard in Article 1 had become identical to that of Article 3, creating a regulatory duplicity regarding the same assumption. The repeal seeks to concentrate the standard into a single provision for reasons of order, coherence, and clarity.

The text also frames the measure within the commitments assumed by the Argentine Republic under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, which include the technological conversion of the sector to replace HFC-410A with refrigerants with lower global warming potential, including HFC-32. In that process, Decision No. 95/58 of the Executive Committee of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol invited the country to submit a project to improve the energy efficiency of HFC-32-based split units.

The resolution bears the signature of María Carmen Tettamanti, Secretary of Energy, and enters into force on the day following its publication.

The new standard directly impacts manufacturers and importers, who must adapt their lines and labeling procedures, and consumers, who will have access to higher-efficiency equipment but with a transition schedule yet to be defined. The operational key now lies with the National Directorate of Technical Regulations, which must determine when the IEEE higher than 8.50 will begin to be required.

Source: Official Gazette of the Argentine Republic, September 16, 2026, First Section (official reference: Resolution 242/2026, RESOL-2026-242-APN-SE#MEC).