Minimum Efficiency Law Repealed… For Now

In 2012, a regional efficiency standards law was set into motion to begin in May of 2013, a law that would have required the installation of high-efficiency furnaces or boilers as well as chimney modifications. HVAC companies across thirty states in the Northern United States, including New York and New Jersey, would have been required to install new furnaces and boilers with a minimum efficiency of 90 percent.

In January of this year, The U.S. Department of Energy and the American Public Gas Association (APGA) petitioned the U.S. Appeals Court to vacate this ruling and reexamine the efficiency standards, and the federal government agreed. While this law has been challenged and suspended, many in the HVAC industry believe that this is a temporary measure and expect the ruling to be but back into effect in the future. For now, however, customers will still be able to purchase 80 percent efficiency furnaces and boilers.

The reason that the law was opposed by so many was primarily due to the installation costs involved, because a 90 percent efficiency furnace requires a different type of venting systems (lower efficiency systems typically use a traditional metal venting system, whereas high efficiency generally utilize a PVC system.) Although the initial price tag is higher, higher efficiency systems do save homeowners over the long run in energy costs,

The goal of the Energy Department now is to come up with a revised rule within this year, and finalize the ruling by 2014. Clarkstown Heating & Air will continue to install furnace and boiler systems that are below 90 percent efficiency, but like other companies anticipate a higher efficiency will be mandated in the future. We promise to keep you updated on this information as we learn it. If you have any questions about this law, please contact us at (845) 620-1000 and we will be happy to help you.