The 2007 Energy Security and Independence Act gave the Department of Energy the power to set regional standards for heating and cooling systems. As of May 1, 2013 the DOE will make it illegal for 80% efficient furnaces to be installed for new construction or retrofits.
The biggest change for the customer is that the exhaust for 90 percent or greater furnace is different that the 80 percent. 80 percent furnaces are non condensing. 90% and greater efficiency furnaces are condensing furnaces. They omit water vapor and carbon dioxide, that will rust the metal exhaust used to vent 80 percent furnaces. So, we have to use PVC to exhaust 90% and greater efficiency furnaces. We aren’t able to adapt to the metal exhuast, due to either bends or a hot water tank being connected to the furnace exhaust.
Furnaces located in a garage, attic, crawlspace or on an outside wall shouldn’t have too much of an issue. But, furnaces that have no outside access are the ones that will have the extra added cost of trying to hide the PVC used to exhaust the new higher efficient furnace. We will have to run the exhaust outside with a slope for the water to drain from the exhaust.
If you have an existing 80 percent furnace that you are thinking of changing out for the same, now is the time to do that, before you won’t be able to.
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We just had an Airtemp gas furnace model # VG7SA 072C 24B1 with “standard” AFUE. Our attic is now 80 degrees. We live in eastern Vitginia and the outside temp is 30s – 50s. What does that mean?
That is not normal. All that heat is costing you money but instead of heating your home it’s heating your attic and in turn the outside, as your attic is insulated from your home but not the outdoors. The problem is most likely an air leak, some of the heated air is escaping your ductwork through a hole or unsealed seam. Other possibilities are poor insulation or a much more serious and dangerous issue of exhaust leaking. No matter what the issue, i’d recommend having someone come check it out. Best case it’s costing your money and worst case is it’s posing a danger to you and your family.
The decision is the result of a legal settlement between the Department of Energy and the American Public Gas Association, which argued the new regulations would prove too costly for certain consumers and ultimately steer some of them to heat their homes with other, less-efficient fuels.