"Biden Administration Implements New Gas Furnace Restrictions and Efficiency Standards"
The Biden administration has announced new energy efficiency regulations targeting gas-powered furnaces, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower household utility costs. The regulations require non-weatherized gas furnaces and those used in mobile homes to achieve a higher level of efficiency, with a fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 95%. This would remove cheaper, less efficient furnaces from the market, but consumers who replace their furnaces would face costly installation fees. The Department of Energy estimates that the regulations would save $1.5 billion annually and reduce carbon emissions by 332 million metric tons over the next three decades. However, critics argue that the regulations limit consumer choice and increase costs. The Biden administration has also implemented energy efficiency standards for other appliances and plans to introduce regulations for additional appliances in the future.
