DOE 95% Efficient Consumer Furnace Rule Finalized

The U.S. Department of Energy has finalized its proposed rule requiring manufacturers to produce consumer furnaces with at least a 95% AFUE rating. The rule will go into effect five years after being published in the Federal Register, which should happen soon. The rule, by statute, is a date of manufacture rule, meaning this change will not affect distributors' existing inventory.

HARDI opposed the proposed rule because of the impact on the retrofit market for consumers who currently have non-condensing furnaces installed. The changeover from non-condensing to condensing furnaces can be costly to consumers. We expect the rule to be challenged in the courts once it is published in the Federal Register.

As we move closer to this transition to high-efficiency furnaces, and if the legal challenges are unsuccessful, we will look at how the Canadian market shifted from non-condensing to condensing furnaces over the last decade to try and learn lessons that can protect consumers from costly changes.

HARDI's Congressional Fly-In

May 21-22, 2024

HARDI Members - Join us in Washington, DC where we brief you on policies that matter, arrange meetings with representatives, and you get face-to-face with your representatives to affect policy change.

(REGISTER HERE)