Search This Blog

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Furnace Efficiency Standards to Rise in May 2013

[Published Jan. 3, 2013, in the Denver Post and in four Jeffco weekly newspapers]

A “standard” forced air furnace nowadays is 80% efficient, but next May “standard” will mean 90% because that’s when no furnace lower than 90% may be sold in “northern tier” states like Colorado. (You can buy a house with an 80% efficient furnace after May, but when that furnace needs replacing, you must replace it with a minimum 90% efficient furnace.)

You can recognize a 90% or higher efficiency furnace because it has a PVC flue that goes laterally outside the house instead of a metal flue going vertically through the roof. These furnaces also have PVC air intake pipes to bring combustion air directly from outdoors.

 
This picture shows a 90% efficient furnace installed in one of my listings. The white PVC pipe on the left brings fresh outside air into the combustion chamber. The bigger PVC pipe on the right is the exhaust flue. It’s because the furnace extracts so much heat from the heat source that the flue can be plastic instead of metal.

Currently, 90% efficient furnaces cost more than “standard” furnaces, but once these furnaces are mass produced as the new standard, we can expect that the cost will be reduced substantially.

16 comments:

  1. For people who are eyeing to buy new furnace must consider reading this one. It will give them perspective to make their furnace safer and more efficient.

    Furnace Toronto

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for sharing this information. I have been seeing the results of the great furnaces in Burlington. It is necessary because you can freeze in some places.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Blogs are good for every one where nice posting and helpful info Mississauga Furnace

    ReplyDelete
  4. This post is different from what I read on most blog. And it have so many valuable things to learn.

    High Efficiency Furnace

    ReplyDelete
  5. Replies
    1. This sites is going to success Nice sites

      Delete
  6. With that furnace, winter days won't be chilly anymore, and there will be less risk of hypothermia.
    gravity furnace repair Los angeles

    ReplyDelete
  7. Its glorious blog and fabulous info i like it so much..
    Heating and cooling Toronto

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Im no expert, but I believe you just made an excellent point. You certainly fully understand what youre speaking about, and I can truly get behind that. furnace replacement

    ReplyDelete
  13. That blog was amazing, I am impressed with your thoughts. I got the best information from this site, It’s very useful to all and us. Thanks for sharing this post.
    buy split air conditioner in uae 2020

    ReplyDelete