The Biden regime is working to put in place regulations that would limit the options available to consumers when purchasing home gas-powered furnaces in the future. This comes after the regime cracked down on restricting consumer choices on stoves.
Gas furnaces relied upon by over 50% of American households for space heating.
Critics argue that these regulations fail to acknowledge homeowners’ needs. Ben Lieberman, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, expressed his concerns in an interview with Fox News Digital, stating, “Every home is different, every homeowner is different, and people are best off having a wide range of choices. They can work with their contractor to make the best decision for their home and their circumstances.”
“This week, House Republicans will proudly pass the Save Our Gas Stoves Act and the Gas Stove Protection and Freedom Act." – @RepStefanik pic.twitter.com/FAoIchKM79
— House Republicans (@HouseGOP) June 6, 2023
“The efficiency standard would effectively outlaw non-condensing furnaces and condensing alternatives would be the only ones available,” Lieberman said. “Those are more efficient, but they cost more. And installation costs could be a big problem for some houses that are not compatible with condensing furnaces.”
The regulations would require furnaces to achieve an annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) of 95% by 2029, meaning that manufacturers would only be allowed to sell furnaces that convert at least 95% of fuel into heat within six years.
The current market standard AFUE for residential furnaces stands at 80%. As a result of these stringent requirements, non-condensing gas furnaces, which are generally less efficient but more affordable, would be largely removed from the market. Consumers replacing their non-condensing furnaces with condensing alternatives would face significant installation costs.
Why does President Biden want to take away YOUR gas stove? Apparently the EPA administrator’s mom would vote to KEEP gas stoves …. Listen. pic.twitter.com/pyVNRUjSge
— Mark Alford 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@markalfordkc) June 5, 2023
The American Gas Association (AGA), representing natural gas providers serving over 74 million customers nationwide, voiced opposition to the furnace rules.
Richard Meyer, the vice president of energy markets, analysis, and standards at AGA, emphasized the potential financial burden for consumers, stating, “This rule would require additional retrofits for a lot of consumers, and those retrofits can be extremely cost-prohibitive.” The AGA believes that allowing the free market to naturally increase product efficiency would better serve consumers.
“There are some really technical reasons why this is such a concerning rule,” Meyer said an interview. “It has to do with the ability for consumers to be in compliance with this new efficiency standard.”
“They’re going to have to, in many cases, install new equipment to exhaust gas out of their home. These higher efficiency units, or so-called condensing units — a lot of consumers have them in their home, but a lot of consumers don’t. So, this rule would require additional retrofits for a lot of consumers. And those retrofits can be extremely cost prohibitive.”
