Under US federal law, HVAC systems must meet certain criteria for efficiency, performance ratings, and product classification. Non-compliance with these standards renders the product illegal and carries risks of personal, professional, and financial damage. Recently, an independent reviewer has raised concerns about Applied Comfort HVAC. The review highlights key issues—fabricated performance numbers, the use of illegal rating metrics, and failure to meet PTHP minimum efficiency and product classification requirements, among others. Here’s a clear breakdown of the fraud class action investigation and how the company is making misleading claims about its HVAC products.

The Product Doesn’t Meet DOE (Minimum Efficiency Requirements)

Applied Comfort cooling systems are marketed with a nominal cooling capacity of 10,000 BTU. US federal law requires all heat pumps in the 10,000-120,000 BTU range to have an SEER2 of 13.4 or higher, depending on the classification. However, Applied Comfort HVAC systems haven’t published any SEER2 value for their heat pumps. Moreover, the units failed to meet the required 13.4 SEER2 rating when tested under the DOE procedure, making them non-compliant and illegal to sell or install.

The Unit Is Misclassified

Another key issue with the Applied Comfort Heat Pump is its product’s misclassification. The brand is promoting its product as a Packaged Terminal Heat Pump (PTHP) and using EER rather than SEER2. Under 10 C.F.R. § 430.2, a PTHP must have:

• A wall sleeve

• A separate, unencased chassis

• Through-the-wall mounting

Applied Comfort HVAC systems lack these traits, making them unlawful to sell. Additionally, Applied Comfort is using CEER rather than SEER2 to classify its unit as a Room Air Conditioner (RAC), even though it fails to meet the RAC definition under 10 C.F.R. § 430 Appendix F.

Performance Numbers Are Fabricated

The review also highlights that the performance numbers are misleading and fraudulent. Applied Comfort lists its cooling capacity as 10,000 BTU, power input as 535 W, and published EER as 8.9. When calculated mathematically, the EER is 18.7 (EER = 10,000 ÷ 535 = 18.7). The numbers don’t add up. Either the BTU is forged, the wattage is fabricated, or both are made up. In all possible scenarios, the marketed performance claims are false.

How It Impacts Buyers And Installers

Dealing with these noncompliant and illegal units significantly impacts buyers and installers. Buyers, as end-users, would be overpaying for advertised performance that doesn’t exist. Installers could face legal risks if they install these units with falsified or illegal performance data. Building owners may face tenant litigation. This is why allegations like these need attention. Every party involved in the handling of products like these deserves transparent, clear, and compliant performance data, and using noncompliant units may make them eligible for compensation.

Conclusion

Applied Comfort HVAC Systems has serious non-compliance and legal issues. It isn’t meeting established legal efficiency standards, is using forged, illegal ratings, and is mislabeling the products. All these factors add up, placing sellers, distributors, installers, engineers, and end-users on the hook. For anyone considering Applied Comfort HVAC Systems, they should be extra vigilant about their decision.