ARLINGTON, Va. - The boiler industry and a leading energy efficiency advocacy group have joined in seeking new federal minimum efficiency standards for residential gas and oil boilers, according to Jack Klimp, president of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA).

“GAMA, on behalf of the boiler industry, and the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) have presented consensus boiler minimum performance and design requirements for inclusion in an expected, new comprehensive energy bill,” said Klimp. “The boiler industry directed GAMA to take this action as an alternative to new residential boiler standards proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would compromise consumer safety.”

The DOE has proposed to mandate a minimum 84 percent annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) for gas hot water boilers. This standard level would require some consumers to incur greater additional expense to ensure safe installation of these models, according to Klimp. The proposed legislation, supported by GAMA and ACEEE, calls for a minimum 82 percent AFUE for gas hot water boilers plus specific energy saving design features. It would benefit consumers by saving more energy than the DOE proposal while avoiding potential safety risks and additional, possibly significant remodeling costs.

“For sound reasons of safety and economy, GAMA’s comments submitted to DOE oppose DOE’s proposed 84 percent AFUE standard level for gas hot water boilers,” said Klimp. “We are disappointed that DOE has declined thus far to accept the boiler standards proposed jointly by GAMA and ACEEE. But whatever the outcome of DOE’s review of boiler standards, GAMA will diligently pursue Congressional passage of the consensus boiler standards that will save energy while preserving consumer safety.”

For more information, visit www.gamanet.org.

Publication date: 01/22/2007