DOE Proposes Rule to Establish Energy Conservation Standards for Residential Furnaces and Boilers
The Department of Energy's (DOE's) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has issued a proposed rule and held a public meeting on October 30, 2006 to amend the energy conservation standards under 10 CFR Part 430 for residential furnaces and boilers.
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(According to the DOE, the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and commercial and industrial equipment, and requires the DOE to determine if amendments to increase the stringency of the standards are technologically feasible and economically justified, and if they would save a significant amount of energy.)
DOE Proposes Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency Levels for Furnaces and Boilers
The DOE proposes to amend the residential furnace and boiler energy conservation standards and raise efficiency levels. Specifically, the DOE proposes to raise annual fuel utilization efficiency levels for non-weatherized gas furnaces to 80%, weatherized gas furnaces to 83%, mobile home gas furnaces to 80%, oil-fired furnaces to 82%, gas boilers to 84%, and oil-fired boilers to 83%.
The DOE states that the proposed standards would apply to all covered furnaces and boilers offered for sale in the U.S., effective on January 1, 2015.
According to the DOE, the proposed standards represent the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. The DOE found that the benefits of the proposed standards (energy savings, consumer average LCC savings, national NPV increase, and emission reductions) outweigh the costs (loss of manufacturer NPV, and LCC increases for some consumers).
-comments, data, and information must be submitted by January 15, 2007
DOE Contact - Mohammed Khan (202) 586-7892
DOE proposed rule (D/N EE-RM/STD-01-350, FR Pub 10/06/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-8431.pdf