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On December 18, APGA jointly petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit for review of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) final Furnace Rule.  The American Gas Association (AGA), National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), and Thermo Products LLC also joined APGA in filing suit.

The Furnace Rule proposes to set minimum efficiency standards at a condensing-only level (95% AFUE) for the appliance.  While APGA is generally supportive of improved efficiency, we remain concerned that this proposed rule will have negative effects on consumers, primarily because condensing furnaces are not an easy on-for-one swap out with an existing non-condensing furnace.  Due to venting incompatibilities, replacing older furnaces under this new rule will require costly retrofits – if it is even possible – else require fuel switching.  Accordingly, APGA continues to stringently oppose the rule.  More information is available here.

A briefing schedule for the case is likely to be set for the spring, with oral arguments likely following in the fall.

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.