MADISON, Wis. — Beginning July 3, 2019, the Department of Energy (DOE) is requiring a maximum fan energy rating (FER) for furnace fans. The goal of this mandate is to reduce energy consumption as well as CO₂ emissions. To comply with the new standards, furnace manufacturers are eliminating permanent split capacitor (PSC) motors and moving to electronically commutated motors (ECM). This will result in substantial energy savings and improved system performance.

“This is great news for contractors as well as homeowners, and of course the environment, stated Damian Mannino, product manager at Aprilaire. “ECM’s have been in the marketplace for many years, and contractors already know the benefits they provide.”