Revised Furnace Efficiency Standard Proposed
Consumers could save big on their energy bills if the minimum efficiency rating for residential gas furnaces is raised to 92%.
The DOE has released a revised proposed minimum efficiency standard for residential natural gas furnaces, which are found in about 40% of U.S. homes, making them the most prevalent heating equipment in America.
DOE estimates the updated standard will deliver up to $21.7 billion in energy bill savings to consumers and avoid approximately 143 million metric tons of carbon pollution over a 30-year-period, making it one of the most significant natural-gas saving efficiency standards in agency history, according to NRDC blogger Elizabeth Noll. It’s been almost 25 years since there’s been a significant update to the energy efficiency standard for this common household equipment and with heating accounting for about two-fifths of all residential energy use, a new standard can make a significant difference to household budgets, saving consumers $411 a year on average, she says.
This article was originally published by Builder magazine on September 7, 2016.