The new 2026 energy label for reversible air conditioners: SCOP, SEER and A–G classes — how to read it and choose wisely

You have probably noticed that the stickers on household appliances have changed in recent years: the famous A+++ to D classes have given way to a clearer A to G scale. For reversible air conditioners and heat pumps, this shift is under way — and it is arriving in France in 2026–2027. For a household looking to buy or replace an AC unit, this is an opportunity: if you understand what is shown, you can make a genuinely energy-efficient choice that meets the thresholds for the available grants. Here is the guide to see things clearly.

Why is the energy label changing (again)?

The European regulation on energy labelling of appliances is designed to reserve the top classes for genuinely high-performing units, and to prevent "A+++" from eventually applying to almost the entire market, as happened with the old A+, A++, A+++ tiers. In practice, the European Union is tightening the thresholds: a class A becomes what used to be an excellent A+++, and the old A+ units fall back to B or C. The aim is to steer the market towards the best available technologies, without misleading consumers with a labelling scale that has become unreadable.

On the reversible AC and heat pump side, two pieces of legislation frame the transition:

• Regulation (EU) 626/2011: it defines the current labelling of air conditioners (and air-to-air heat pumps ≤ 12 kW), with A+++ to D classes and the SEER (cooling) and SCOP (heating) indicators. It is under review.
• Regulation (EU) 811/2013: it covers air-to-water heat pumps, boilers and hybrid solutions. A draft delegated act published in 2025 (reference Ares(2025)10453708) proposes the move to the A–G scale, with a Primary Energy Factor (PEF) lowered from 2.5 to 1.9 to better reflect the growing share of renewable electricity in the European mix.

Concrete consequence: from 2026 onwards, you will start seeing new, stricter labels from manufacturers. The old A+++ models will not be re-labelled A; they will keep showing the old scale until stock runs out. This is the right time to prepare, especially if you are targeting MaPrimeRénov' or the CEE "Coup de pouce" premium, whose minimum thresholds are now set in terms of SCOP and ETAS.

SEER, SCOP, EER, COP, ETAS: what are these acronyms for?

Before reading a label, you need to understand the numbers. Each indicator measures a seasonal efficiency: how much heat (or cold) is produced per 1 kWh of electricity consumed, in real conditions over a complete heating or cooling season.

• COP (Coefficient of Performance): the instantaneous efficiency in heating mode. A COP of 4 means the heat pump produces 4 kWh of heat for 1 kWh consumed. It is mostly used to compare units in laboratory conditions.
• EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio): the cooling-mode equivalent of COP.
• SCOP (Seasonal COP): the seasonal average of the COP in heating, weighted by the climatic conditions of the zone (in Paris, the "Strasbourg" temperate zone is used in technical sheets). This is the indicator to look at to compare two units in the long term.
• SEER (Seasonal EER): the seasonal average in cooling. For a reversible AC, this is the key indicator in summer.
• ETAS (Seasonal Space Heating Efficiency): the SCOP equivalent expressed as a percentage. ETAS = SCOP × 0.4 (approximately, with the historical factor of 2.5). With the PEF dropping to 1.9, the displayed ETAS will mechanically be higher than with the old calculation method.

The current scale (A+++ to D) decoded

As long as the A–G rescaling is not mandatory for reversible air conditioners, the French and European label keeps showing A+++ to D classes. Here is the indicative threshold grid from regulation 626/2011 (temperate climate zone):

Class	SEER (cooling)	SCOP (heating)	Read
A+++	≥ 8.50	≥ 5.10	Market benchmark, the excellence
A++	6.10 to < 8.50	4.60 to < 5.10	Very high performance, the bulk of current high-end models
A+	5.60 to < 6.10	4.00 to < 4.60	Good level, sufficient for most uses
A	5.10 to < 5.60	3.40 to < 4.00	Reasonable entry level
B	4.60 to < 5.10	3.10 to < 3.40	Marginal in new units, common in light renovation
C	4.10 to < 4.60	2.80 to < 3.10	Eligibility floor for some grants
D	3.60 to < 4.10	2.50 to < 2.80	Rare in new units

In new units, very few models fall below A+ in SEER: manufacturers have pulled the market upwards, which is exactly what the European Union wants to correct. The move to A–G will make the gap between an A model and a G model far more telling.

And tomorrow: the A–G label, what really changes

The European delegated act in preparation (published in 2025, phased application up to 2027–2029) provides, for heat pumps and combination appliances, several visible evolutions:

• The A+++ → D scale disappears and becomes A → G, with an A class intentionally left empty at the start: only the most advanced future models will be able to reach it, creating room for progress.
• The PEF (Primary Energy Factor) drops from 2.5 to 1.9: the official SEER and SCOP on the label increase mechanically. A unit that was A++ in 2025 may be displayed A in 2027 without any change to the unit itself.
• Noise enters the label: A–E sound emission classes, indoor and outdoor, will appear next to the energy class. Information that was missing and that turns out to be key in shared buildings and dense urban areas.
• A QR code links to the product sheet in the European EPREL database — a good reflex to check the numbers claimed by the seller.

For reversible air conditioners air-to-air ≤ 12 kW, the A–G rescaling is announced by the Commission in its June 2026 report ("In preparation"), with effective application expected during 2027. Until then, the old label remains the contractual reference.

What level to target in 2026 as a household?

The right reflex is not to chase A+++ — it is to aim for a threshold consistent with your use case and with the available grants.

• For cooling-only use (summer): a SEER ≥ 6.0 (class A++ or better) keeps your summer bill reasonable. In the Paris region, with heatwaves growing more frequent, this is the floor we recommend at Proclimo.
• For reversible use (winter + summer): aim for an SCOP ≥ 4.0 (class A+ minimum). This is also the minimum eligibility threshold for the CEE "Coup de Pouce" premium for an air-to-water heat pump, and the corresponding ETAS (≥ 111 % at PEF 2.5) is required for the boosted "approved heat pump" premium.
• To benefit from MaPrimeRénov' "single measure" pathway on a reversible air conditioner: you currently need an SCOP ≥ 2.78 (ETAS ≥ 111 %). That is the low bar: if your unit is below it, it is not a disaster, but you will get nothing.

How to read the label in practice

The official energy label of a reversible air conditioner is a single-page document containing, top-left, the product code and the supplier, the QR code linking to EPREL, and a central box with:

• The energy class in cooling mode (SEER) and the annual consumption in kWh/year.
• The energy class in heating mode (SCOP) and the corresponding annual consumption.
• The rated output in kW (cooling and heating).
• The sound power level indoors and outdoors, in dB(A).
• The type of refrigerant and its GWP (Global Warming Potential). A unit running on R-32 or R-290 will always be preferable to a unit running on R-410A, which has been banned in new residential applications since the revision of the F-Gas regulation in 2024.

If a label only shows the COP, SEER or energy class without detailing the climate profile (temperate, warm, cold), be wary: the value may be given for a favourable zone that does not match your home. In the Paris region, always require the temperate zone (Strasbourg) as the reference.

The "theoretical class" vs. real consumption trap

A label describes laboratory behaviour, not real-world conditions. Several factors make seasonal performance vary:

• The temperature difference between inside and outside: an SCOP of 4.0 at +7 °C outdoor can fall to 2.8 at -5 °C. This is the typical case for air-to-air heat pumps in the middle of a Paris-region winter, which lose efficiency in deep cold. Our guide on reversible air-to-air heat pumps goes into more detail on this.
• The insulation of the home: an AC in a poorly insulated flat runs longer and consumes more, at the same label.
• The maintenance: regular maintenance keeps the SEER as labelled; a clogged unit can lose 10 to 15 % of seasonal performance.
• The regulation: a connected thermostat and "eco" modes easily save 10 to 15 % on the bill. The new off-peak hours for summer 2026 also make it possible to shift the bulk of production to favourable hours.

The energy label, an indicator of property value

Since the 2021 reform of the DPE (Energy Performance Diagnostic), the energy performance of a home directly affects its value. The class displayed on your heat pump or reversible AC therefore has a patrimonial impact, beyond comfort:

• An A++ or better unit values the home; a D or E unit penalises it.
• The DPE takes heating and cooling equipment into account in its calculation, and an inefficient unit can tip a label from C to D.
• For a resale project, having an A-class air-to-air or air-to-water heat pump installed is a quantifiable selling point.

The 6 reflexes before purchase

1. Ask for the EPREL product sheet or the manufacturer's technical sheet with SCOP, SEER and climate profile. If it is not available, walk away.
2. Aim for SEER ≥ 6.0 for cooling and SCOP ≥ 4.0 for reversible heating, except for very occasional use.
3. Check the refrigerant: R-32 or R-290 from now on; refuse R-410A and any high-GWP HFC.
4. Look at the outdoor sound power level: below 55 dB(A) at 1 m, you are fine; above 60 dB(A), neighbour disputes are not far off.
5. Ask for a detailed quote that explicitly mentions the energy class, SCOP/SEER and exact model. This is a guarantee against unscrupulous installers who swap references.
6. Plan ahead for the grants: for MaPrimeRénov' and the CEE premium, the ETAS threshold is non-negotiable. Ask the installer to include it on the quote.

Frequently asked questions

Is an A++ AC always more efficient than an A+? Yes, in theory and in practice, with comparable units in the same conditions. The real difference also depends on the installation (sizing, airtightness) and on use.

Can I keep my old A+ air conditioner? Of course. The rescaling does not obsolete installed units. Only the eligibility thresholds for grants apply to new installations since 1 January 2026.

Is the label the same across Europe? Yes, the European regulation harmonises it. The QR code links to the shared EPREL database. It is a good comparison tool, including for units bought abroad.

What if the displayed class does not match my bill? A gap of more than 20 % between the label and reality almost always comes from inadequate sizing (an AC that is too small running continuously) or from insufficient maintenance. Have your installation audited by a professional.

Will noise really appear on the label? For heat pumps and combination appliances, yes, from the application of the delegated act (2027–2028 horizon). For reversible air conditioners, the information is already on the label, but outside the A–E classification.

Choose well, read well

The energy label is not just a regulatory sticker. It is the most reliable tool to objectively compare two reversible air conditioners and to make sure the unit you are buying meets the 2026 grant requirements. With the gradual move to the A–G scale, the market will become clearer: the gaps between models will be more readable, and the race to seasonal performance is on again.

Want neutral advice on the label and the technical sheet of a specific model, or support in choosing an AC or a heat pump based on your home and your budget? Get in touch with Proclimo for personalised advice, or discover our installation, maintenance and repair services in the Paris region.