The Department of Energy is trying to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. The rule would help limit the release of greenhouse gasses.
New furnaces would need to convert most of the gas they burn into heat. The conversion rate may be low for older models. Over the lifetime of each new furnace, the DOE estimates that this efficiency improvement would save consumers over $1 billion annually. The new standard would reduce carbon emissions by 373 million metric tons over the course of 30 years. 61 million American homes emit the same amount of emissions as one year. Air pollution from chimneys contributes to respiratory illnesses.
The Secretary of Energy said in a statement that the Biden Administration is working to save consumers money by updating energy standards. Cleaner air, modernized technology, and cheaper energy are some of the benefits of these efficiency measures.
15% of annual US residential energy use is attributed to gas furnaces.
The rule would requirecondensing furnaces, which capture excess heat from the furnace's exhaust gases, to be sold. Canada has required condensing furnaces for residential heating for a long time.
The proposal was praised by climate activists because of the recent increase in gas prices.
Steven Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, said that this is a good step to help protect millions of families against price spikes that can send bills through the roof.
We install brand-new furnace models that waste a lot of the heat despite the fact that home heating bills strain the budgets of many households. Andrew deLaski, executive director of the appliance standards awareness project, said that the Biden administration is right to phase out the most inefficient models. The new standard would make a difference.
There is opposition to the gas industry. The American Gas Association said in a statement that the move would place an "unfair burden" on customers.
The AGA said that many older homes in low-income neighborhoods can't accommodate the expensive vent requirements. Customers would be forced to use an electric furnace.
The DOE says electric furnaces are more expensive than gas ones. Electric heating is bad news for the gas industry because they don't burn gas.
The AGA claims that the lower efficiency of electric furnaces means they have a larger carbon footprint. Electric furnaces would produce less pollution and climate pollution if the US switched to clean sources of electricity.
Karen Harbert, AGA President and CEO, said that AGA will thoroughly examine every aspect of the proposed rule, and if it is another attempt to put the natural gas industry out of business, they will fight it.
Republican leaders and trade associations did not respond to the request for comment.
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