What should we do about the 2029 DOE efficiency change?

Preserve equipment class, cooling capacity, heating type, applicable test metric and manufacturing timing in the product review. DOE's page distinguishes its standards from test-procedure changes, including IVEC and IVHE, and confirms the 2029 compliance date for the covered amended standards. DOE

Do not compare values expressed under different efficiency metrics as if they were directly interchangeable. Ask the manufacturer to supply the relevant certified data for the proposed model and the technical reviewer to determine applicability. For a long-duration project, record who will recheck the selection if procurement or manufacture moves.

This is a future-date planning issue, not evidence that every 2026 bid must already specify the 2029 requirement. Conversely, an old catalogue is not a sufficient basis for an order crossing a compliance boundary.