DOE Issues 95% AFUE Rule For New Gas Furnaces

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Image courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newly manufactured indoor residential gas furnaces will have to be at least 95% efficient starting in late 2028 under a rule recently issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

DOE on September 29 announced its latest energy conservation standard for consumer furnaces, which will require every new residential, non-weatherized gas furnace, and every mobile home gas furnace, to have a minimum annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 95%. The rule will take effect 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, and manufacturers will have five years to ensure that new gas furnaces comply with the new minimum.

AFUE requirements for consumer furnaces were last raised in 2007, and the current AFUE minimum is 80%.

No Federal Register publication date has been set but, in the meantime, DOE is inviting those interested to review the rule and flag any typographical or other errors. Errors that meet the definition in the Code of Federal Regulations (specifically 10 CFR 430.5) can be reported via email to ErrorCorrectionInfo@EE.DOE.gov. The deadline for reporting errors is midnight on Monday, Nov. 13.

DOE estimates that the efficiency rule, over 30 years, will cut carbon emissions from furnaces, which contribute to global warming, by 332 million metric tons, and will save consumers nearly $25 billion in energy costs.

"At the direction of Congress, DOE is continuing to review and finalize energy standards for household appliances, such as residential furnaces, to lower costs for working families by reducing energy use and slashing harmful pollutants in homes across the nation,” Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in a press release. “Today’s measure, along with this administration’s past and planned energy efficiency actions, underscore President Biden’s commitment to save Americans money and deliver healthier communities.”

DOE is authorized by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975 to periodically review energy efficiency requirements for certain types of equipment, including furnaces. "DOE has determined that the amended standards for the subject products would result in significant conservation of energy, and are technologically feasible and economically justified," a statement from the department said.