U.S. DOE Proposes New Energy-Efficiency Standards

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On June 13, 2022, the Biden Administration through the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) proposed new energy-efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces. The proposal seeks to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save consumers billions annually on their energy bills. However, ACCA believes this proposal may not provide the implications the Administration is seeking.

ACCA continues to take the stance that consumers should have the right to choose what equipment is installed in their homes for the following reasons:

• Consumers, especially those under lower income brackets, often do not have the luxury of worrying about operating costs over an extended period of time. Rather, their primary concern is whether they can afford the new appliance at all.
• Depending on location, some customers who install higher-efficiency gas furnaces may not see as much of a payback on energy bills.

While ACCA supports the installation of higher efficiency systems, we also first suggest that the equipment is installed properly. HVAC manufacturers are producing highly efficient products, meeting and exceeding DOE’s regulatory demands. However, as long as DOE does not require minimum installation and design standards manufacturers recommend, pushing another efficiency regulation will once again miss the desired mark and negatively impact consumers.

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Posted In: Energy Policy, Government