The Biden administration is targeting popular home gas-powered furnaces with new “green energy” regulations.
Biden wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the residential sector by banning the sale of traditional gas furnaces.
The Department of Energy (DOE) claims the energy efficiency regulations would reduce household utility costs by $1.5 billion on an annual basis.
First it was your car, next it was your gas stove.
Now on the chopping block: Your gas-powered furnace.
Biden’s regulations do nothing but reduce consumer choice & increase costs for Americans.https://t.co/yeixWnJYQY
— Adam Paul Laxalt (@AdamLaxalt) September 30, 2023
“At the direction of Congress, DOE is continuing to review and finalize energy standards for household appliances, such as residential furnaces, to lower costs for working families by reducing energy use and slashing harmful pollutants in homes across the nation,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said in a statement.
“Today’s measure, along with this Administration’s past and planned energy efficiency actions, underscores President Biden’s commitment to save Americans money and deliver healthier communities,” she continued.
DOE’s finalized regulations would go into effect in 2028.
Furnaces would be required to achieve an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 95%.
Manufacturers will only be allowed to sell furnaces that convert at least 95% of fuel into heat within six years.
The current market standard AFUE for a residential furnace is 80%.
“Due to the strict AFUE standards, the regulations will effectively phase out older furnace models, including non-condensing gas furnaces, which tend to be less efficient but more affordable.”
They want to destroy those now living paycheck to paycheck.https://t.co/G2v2MPa9Uc
— IT Guy (@ITGuy1959) September 30, 2023
“There are some really technical reasons why this is such a concerning rule,” Richard Meyer, the vice president of energy markets, analysis and standards at the American Gas Association (AGA), said.
“It has to do with the ability for consumers to be in compliance with this new efficiency standard.”
“They’re going to have to, in many cases, install new equipment to exhaust gas out of their home. These higher efficiency units, or so-called condensing units — a lot of consumers have them in their home, but a lot of consumers don’t.”
‘So, this rule would require additional retrofits for a lot of consumers. And those retrofits can be extremely cost prohibitive.”
