A recent
Department of Energy (DOE) announcement could leave millions of dollars of HVAC
inventory stranded in warehouses. The DOE announced on July 2 that residential
HVAC appliances regulated under the pending regional efficiency standards
(non-weatherized gas furnaces, mobile home gas furnaces, and non-weatherized
oil furnaces) must be installed no later than May 1, 2013. Weatherized gas
furnaces, central air conditioners, and heat pumps will follow the same rules,
with a Jan. 1, 2015 compliance date. What effect could this law have?