WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice confirming adoption of the direct final rule establishing regional efficiency standards for residential furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps. The rule, which sets different standards for the North, South, and Southwest regions of the United States, was published in the Federal Register on June 27, 2011, and DOE made the rule available for public comment until Oct. 17. In its notice DOE stated that “the adverse comments received in response to the direct final rule do not provide a reasonable basis for withdrawing the direct final rule.”

Under this rule, the North region will have a gas furnace standard of 90 percent AFUE. The South and Southwest will have a split-system air conditioner standard of 14 SEER.

DOE noted that compliance with the standards in the direct final rule will be required on May 1, 2013 for non-weatherized furnaces and on Jan. 1, 2015 for weatherized furnaces and central air conditioners and heat pumps.

Publication date: 10/24/2011