May 1, 2013 Furnace Efficiency Mandate UPDATE!
In January we had the honor to work with CAI-Community Associations Institute (http://www.cai-illinois.org) to provide a webinar regarding the May 1, 2013 efficiency mandate. For those of you that need a refresher, the Department of Energy (DOE) established a rule that as of May 1, 2013 only high efficiency 90+ AFUE condensing gas furnaces could be installed. This meant double the cost for a new install along with a myriad of other problems for many of our customers. As you may be aware there was a pending lawsuit and settlement that would delay the mandate that the courts were deciding to accept.
As of April 5, 2013 the courts have accepted the settlement which has caused the May 1, 2013 efficiency mandate for the northern states regarding non-weatherized gas furnaces to be negated. In other words folks, it’s off, the DOE will not enforce the rules for the efficiency mandate in the northern states which includes Illinois. Therefore customers and their contractors can install 80% efficiency furnaces without consequence…for now.
To read a complete statement by the DOE: http://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/Enforcement_Policy_Furnace_Stds_04052013.pdf
For more information regarding the settlement: https://www.acca.org/Files/?id=916
Stay tuned for continue developments, for the efficiency mandate is not going away, just delayed.
Leslie Heating & Cooling will continue to monitor the activities surrounding this issue and will provide critical updates to our customers.
Brendan Slifka
Leslie Heating & Cooling, Inc.