The U.S. Department of Energy released a supplemental notice of proposed rulemaking (SNOPR) pertaining to residential furnaces in September.

Several manufacturers are looking to challenge the ubiquitous furnace by offering a different option: the hydro-air system, which they claim is a cleaner, more efficient, and more comfortable alternative to conventional furnaces.

Condensing furnaces offer many consumers the benefit of higher efficiency and thus lower energy bills, but for many homeowners, comfort is the primary reason they choose to purchase such equipment.