If passed, the pending 92% furnace law could cause the price of furnaces in the United States to soar out of control.

The Department of Energy has proposed a law that all new combustion systems need to be at least 92 percent efficient, as ranked by the AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) system. AFUE measures combustion systems like furnaces and boilers, telling shoppers how efficient each system is.

Wrong Numbers

The DOE made many assumptions about installation costs, which after closer analysis, weren’t correct. That destroyed the original economic analysis of a combustion system’s life cycle. The end results looked fantastic for homeowners at first blush — but critics say that the DOE was exaggerating the benefits.

In some cases, homeowners may not be able to justify having a furnace functioning at 92 percent, with over one-quarter of southern homeowners never enjoying a payback. Only homeowners in select regions will benefit from this standard, and that has many wary of the proposal.

The installation costs of a 92 percent furnace can be staggering. No matter how much you may save in energy costs, in some situations you’ll never enjoy a true payback. Venting will also cost more for these furnaces compared to basic, non-condensing options.

The chief technical advisor of AHRI recently released figures from its own study and found that many times, the justification for 92 percent standards just aren’t there.

More Than One Type of Green

Many homeowners and HVAC professionals want greener options for heating and cooling. However, requiring homeowners across the country to only install highly energy-efficient combustion systems that are much more expensive up front might not be the best approach, particularly when over 30 percent won’t ever get a payback.

The House Subcommittee on Energy and Power drafted a law that would put off the DOE’s proposal to require the 92 percent standard, but the final ruling likely won’t be made until the end of the year.

If you already have a furnace or boiler installed that isn’t 92 percent efficient, you will not be required to replace it if the law passes.

Homeowners interested in greening up their current system can start by scheduling routine maintenance checks and adopting best practices to reduce consumption (like bundling up a little more in the winter). Call Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning for all your furnace needs, from installation to annual inspections.

When you bought your dream home, heating and cooling might not have been at the front of your mind. Simply put, older homes aren’t as energy-efficient as newer ones, partially due to an aging HVAC system, unless a recent owner sprung for an upgrade.

Today’s air conditioners, furnaces and boilers come with energy efficiency ratings, and upgrading to an Energy Star model can drastically reduce energy consumption and utility bills. However, it’s costly. A reputable HVAC technician will tell you whether you have a lot of life left in your current system, or if it’s better to replace it.

Another issue with older homes is the architecture. Energy efficiency just wasn’t a priority years ago. The windows and doors might not offer much insulation, and the home may have air leaks and drafts. Those soaring vaulted ceilings and that ample attic space probably seemed like a bonus when you bought the home. Now that winter’s creeping in, you’re left wondering why you’re trying to heat empty attic space and a room with 20-foot ceilings.

Luckily, you can reduce energy usage in a number of ways.

This Old Home …

Don’t regret your decision to purchase your vintage charmer. It’s lovely and full of character ― it just needs a little help in the energy department. Try out these tactics to help your furnace or boiler be more efficient this winter:

• Get a maintenance check ASAP: When’s the last time you had your HVAC system serviced? Just a few repairs or small part replacements can make a huge difference. For example, clogged vents can make your system work overtime. Schedule inspections every autumn and spring, starting right now.
• Optimize your home’s insulation: If your home has its original windows (or cheap upgrades), you’re losing a lot of heat at these exit points. You can slowly replace windows with energy-efficient models, but in the short term, adding an insulating film or caulking around the edges (if they leak) can work wonders.
• Adjust your thermostat: If you’re walking around in shorts and a T-shirt while decorating the holiday tree, something’s amiss. Unless you live in Hawaii, you should be bundling up a little indoors during the winter months. Your heating system isn’t supposed to make you think you’re in the tropics, but rather keep you reasonably warm while you still wear long sleeves and fuzzy socks.
• Block off unused space: One of the bonuses with many older homes is all that space. However, if you have a sprawling five-bedroom, mid-century, modern home but only one or two people live there, why are you heating the whole house? Close off rooms that aren’t used.

To schedule your inspection and for more heating and cooling tips, call Complete Heating & Air Conditioning today.

Want to spend less on furnace repair costs? What you do — or don’t do! — now can make a huge difference in your future repair bills.

For instance, sticking with an annual or bi-annual inspection and maintenance check can drastically reduce the need for future repairs. Unfortunately, a lot of homeowners don’t call an HVAC technician until something is wrong. Your furnace may sound warning bells for weeks or even months before it breaks. Regular inspections can catch problems before they get out of control.

Another means of saving money is to shop around if and when you need a repair or replacement. Check reviews, testimonials, and the Better Business Bureau when considering an HVAC technician. Ask for recommendations, and see how long your local furnace repair expert has been in business. If they just opened their doors last week, do you really want to be their guinea pig?

Get Proof

Depending on the state you live in, a furnace repair technician may need different licenses and/or certifications. You also want to make sure they’re insured in case of an accident. Without workers’ compensation insurance, for example, you may be held liable if a furnace repair tech is injured on your property.

It’s not enough to just ask about certifications. Get copies for your records. Hopefully you’ll never need to use them, but these can be lifesavers in case of an accident, lawsuit or other debacle.

Consider Upgrading

No furnace lasts a lifetime, even with fantastic maintenance — the average life span is 15-25 years. However, you may want to replace and upgrade your furnace even if you can still squeeze a few more years out of it. A model that’s 20 years old simply isn’t going to be as energy-efficient as a newer one.

You may even get a tax credit for choosing certain Energy Star appliances, so check with your CPA before upgrading to maximize your savings.

Cost Savings All Around

Lowering your furnace repair bill is just part of the equation. You also want to lower your utility/heating bills whenever possible. Again, this has a lot to do with the efficiency of your furnace itself, but you can help. For starters, make sure to close off any rooms that aren’t being used (like guest rooms). Optimizing the insulation in your home, adding film to windows or putting towels down to stop drafts can make a huge difference. Smart home technology like Nest can learn your heating habits and make auto adjustments to save on energy consumption.

Make 2015 the year you lighten your carbon footprint and reduce energy consumption for good. Contact Sandy Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule your appointment for furnace repair, installation or a routine maintenance check.