Earlier this summer, new energy efficiency standards for residential furnaces went into effect. Here’s what you need to know for any of our customers living in Marietta, GA or the surrounding area.

Understanding the New Regulations

You may think of your furnace as primarily using natural gas or heating oil, but electricity consumption is also an important part of furnace efficiency. In fact, according to one manufacturer, furnaces represent up to 10 percent of energy usage in homes. In particular, the furnace’s blower components use a significant amount of electricity in order to maintain airflow and ultimately distribute hot air throughout your house.

The new regulations focus on fan energy ratings (FER), and they set ambitious goals. While the regulations do not specify particular types of components to be used, the energy standards are stringent enough that certain types of components are no longer practical and thus need to be updated.

What This Means For You

The most significant impact of the new regulations is that most furnaces with permanent split capacitor motors (PCM) are no longer be able to meet the government’s standards. They will be replaced across the board by electronic controlled motors (ECM), which are more efficient but also more costly.

What this means for homeowners is that the cost of the average furnace will increase. However, this cost increase won’t be uniform across the board because high-end systems already meet the DOE standards. Rather, it’s the budget options that will increase in price most significantly. On the other hand, energy usage will also decrease, defraying that higher up-front cost.

If you’re planning on getting a new furnace in preparation for this winter, the cost will likely be affected by these new regulations. Don’t panic! We’re here to help. We have financing options and payment plans to help you afford the cost of furnace installation. For more information, check out our heating solutions or call 678-369-8866.