Raising Efficiency Standards Will Help Yet Also Harm Some Homeowners

Since 2009 the U.S. Department of Energy, also known as the DOE has been working towards creating efficiency standards that all HVAC equipment must comply with. As a result, there have been remarkable changes in the levels of efficiency found in modern HVAC equipment. Modern HVAC Efficiency Standards are saving homeowners a bundle on annual HVAC operation costs.

After the development of the condensing furnace that boasts a 90 AFUE rating, the DOE set out to make that efficiency rating standard for homeowners in northern states. Homeowners living in colder climates consume a lot of fuel to keep warm during harsh winters. The DOE determined that if all homeowners were to switch to an AFUE 90 rated furnace when their older model wore out, these northern states would consume far less fuel during the winter.

Due to the fact that the new condensing furnace is currently the only furnace that has an AFUE rating of 90, homeowners would have few options when replacing their worn out units. Unfortunately, this will cause problems for many homeowners. The condensing furnace requires homeowners to install a totally separate venting system to accommodate the new furnace. In homes that have little access to existing walls, this will be a problem due to space issues.

After installing the condensing furnaces and having to make several expensive alterations to homes, HVAC professionals recognized the financial burden the new efficiency standards would place on homeowners. The costs of a new furnace and venting system, combined with the expense of alterations is nearly crippling for some homeowners. As a result many HVAC professionals opposed the DOE’s proposed raising of the standard efficiency rating from 78 to 90, so the case is currently being held for review.

This new rating was set to be enforced in 2013, but with the case being held up, the standard efficiency rating remains at 78 for northern states. After researching and discovering that the 90 AFUE rated furnaces only waste a scarce ten percent of the amount of fuel they burn, many homeowners have already installed one. Learn more about latest news on the raised HVAC Efficiency ratings and how a condensing furnace helps to save money and the environment by contacting a local HVAC contractor today.