Energy Dept. released revised standard for residential gas furnaces
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently released a revised proposed minimum efficiency standard for residential natural gas furnaces. Gas furnaces are found in about 40% of U.S. homes, making them the most prevalent heating equipment in the country. DOE estimates the updated standard will deliver up to $21.7 billion in energy bill savings to consumers and avoid approximately 143 million metric tons of carbon pollution over a 30-period. The new standard is 92% fuel efficiency (up from the current 80%), and is the first significant update to the standard in 25 years.