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The regional standards established by the Department of Energy (DOE) that are set to go into effect May 1, 2013. For the first time, the HVAC industry is being regulated not on what is being manufactured, but rather what is being installed. What does this mean to you?
Starting May 1, 2013, gas furnaces installed in the Northern Region will have to be at least 90% AFUE. The states included in the Northern Region are: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Gas furnaces installed in all other states must be at least 80% AFUE.
What will impact homeowners in our area, is the requirement of 90% minimum efficiency for all furnaces sold. We’re not talking about just new construction, but retrofit as well. We are concerned about the impact this will have particularly on owners of condos and townhomes.
As of today, when it’s time to replace a furnace in a condo or a townhome, the homeowner usually has no choice but to install a standard efficiency (80% efficient) furnace. Upgrading to a high efficiency furnace requires a pvc vent, usually (and preferrably) out the side of the home. Energy conscious townhome and condo owners will opt for an 80% efficient furnace with a high efficiency, DC drive blower motor.
What are everyone's feelings on these new standards that are set to take place May 2013?
Starting May 1, 2013, gas furnaces installed in the Northern Region will have to be at least 90% AFUE. The states included in the Northern Region are: Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Gas furnaces installed in all other states must be at least 80% AFUE.
What will impact homeowners in our area, is the requirement of 90% minimum efficiency for all furnaces sold. We’re not talking about just new construction, but retrofit as well. We are concerned about the impact this will have particularly on owners of condos and townhomes.
As of today, when it’s time to replace a furnace in a condo or a townhome, the homeowner usually has no choice but to install a standard efficiency (80% efficient) furnace. Upgrading to a high efficiency furnace requires a pvc vent, usually (and preferrably) out the side of the home. Energy conscious townhome and condo owners will opt for an 80% efficient furnace with a high efficiency, DC drive blower motor.
What are everyone's feelings on these new standards that are set to take place May 2013?
