WASHINGTON — As of Feb. 1, 2012, HVAC distributors, contractors, and homeowners are able to purchase Energy Star qualified furnaces that meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) new stringent efficiency requirements.
Different efficiency requirements and labels are being used for different regions of the country. Qualified furnaces in the Southern half of the U.S., where homes require less heat, will be labeled with a unique “U.S. South” Energy Star logo. These furnaces will be up to 12 percent more efficient than standard models and can save an average of $26 in gas (2.5 MMBtu) and $10 in electricity costs (93 kWH) per year.