Today begins the 60-day comment period for the Furnace Rule, which is a Department of Energy (DOE) notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) that intends to set the minimum efficiency for residential non-weatherized furnaces at a condensing-only level.
If promulgated as proposed, Americans with non-condensing furnaces currently installed in their homes would be required to make costly retrofits (if even possible), else fuel switch to accommodate electric heating equipment, which would also likely require panel upgrades, when the time comes to replace their furnaces. APGA is working closely with others to develop comments in opposition to this NOPR.
In addition to the Furnace Rule, APGA has been engaging in other gas-fired appliance rulemakings. On July 5, APGA submitted joint comments to DOE in response to DOE’s request for comments pertaining to its preliminary technical support document (TSD) for consumer boilers. APGA’s comments in response to the TSD were jointly submitted with the American Gas Association (AGA) and the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA). Through the comments, the joint trade associations raised concerns about DOE’s technical analysis, as well as the lack of sufficient time provided to meaningfully respond to the comment request. APGA and others requested additional time to provide comment, but DOE did not respond to this request.
Last week, APGA also submitted requests for comment period extensions for two requests for information (RFIs) pertaining to certain gas-fired hearth products and outdoor heating appliances. The letters were in support of a similar request from the Hearth, Patio, & Barbeque Association (HPBA). Without extensions, comments are due for the RFIs in mid-July.
APGA also plans to engage in the commercial water heaters NOPR, which also proposes a condensing-only standard. Comments are due on July 18. APGA and others requested an extension to the comment period but have yet to hear anything from DOE.
APGA weighs in on DOE’s appliance efficiency rulemakings that impact gas-fired appliances, as APGA members provide the energy needed to fuel these appliances, thus making public natural gas systems critical stakeholders in these rulemakings.
A copy of the comments on the consumer boilers TSD is available here.
For questions on this article, please contact Renée Lani of APGA staff by phone at 202-464-0836 or by email at
rlani@apga.org.