WASHINGTON - The long-awaited Department of Energy (DOE) workshop on residential furnace and boiler efficiency standards took place in Washington recently.

A strong turnout of GAMA members, including more than 20 furnaces and boiler representatives, gave the industry a strong presence. "They got our point," said Mark Kendall, GAMA's vice president of technical affairs, who coordinated the industry's participation.

Representatives from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the Gas Technology Institute, and the American Gas Association also presented supporting testimony.

GAMA urged DOE to correct several key technical errors and omissions and to encourage DOE contractors to contact GAMA staff and members directly to discuss technical issues.

Although GAMA has not taken any positions on what the new energy efficiency standards should be, members have told DOE that the risk associated with higher efficiency standards above 80 percent AFUE in the non-condensing region outweighs the benefits of the potential energy savings.

Publication date: 11/22/2004