The Hydraulic Institute's Energy Rating program provides energy-efficiency program administrators with a way to encourage adoption of more efficient technology.
Residential gas furnaces must all have a minimum AFUE of 95% beginning in five years. Some in the HVAC industry say the new Department of Energy rule will ultimately hurt homeowners.
The latest rule will require every mobile home gas furnace — and every new residential, non-weatherized gas furnace — to have a minimum annual fuel utilization efficiency (or AFUE) of 95% starting in late 2028.
The Department of Energy recently proposed new higher energy efficiency standards for residential water heaters. Industry is split over whether the new standards will help or hurt consumers.
Consumers may know heating and cooling units are a major contributor to their overall utility bills and that their equipment’s efficiency matters, but terms like 14 SEER don’t translate to anything relatable.
At the AHR Expo, a panel of HVACR industry experts discussed the refrigerant transition and supply chain issues, as well as the labor shortage and the new efficiency standard.
Companies that deal in surplus HVAC equipment are seeing business opportunities in the new U.S. DOE energy efficiency minimums for single-phase residential air-conditioners.