On November 29, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed determination suggesting that that energy conservation standards for certain consumer furnaces do not need to be amended. This rulemaking falls under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), which prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment. EPCA requires DOE to periodically determine whether more stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings.
The proposed determination covers a range of consumer furnaces, including non-weatherized oil-fired furnaces, mobile home oil-fired furnaces, weatherized gas furnaces, weatherized oil-fired furnaces, and electric furnaces. Notably, DOE has tentatively determined that this rulemaking does not cover fuel-fired heat pumps, and so this rulemaking does not consider fossil fuel heat pumps as an alternative technology for efficiency purposes. DOE's analysis suggests that efficiency improvements to electric furnaces are not technologically feasible, and that as oil and gas furnaces face declining markets more stringent efficiency would have limited economic or environmental impact.
DOE will hold a public meeting webinar upon request, if requested no later than December 13, 2023. DOE is accepting written comments and information on this notice of proposed determination until January 29, 2024.