About
ASAP

Residential Furnaces and Boilers

Last Updated: February 2007
See the federal standards main page to view current status

Furnaces and boilers are the most common type of heating equipment in the United States. Furnaces burn natural gas, propane, or oil for heat and distribute the heat through a duct system. Boilers burn fuel to heat water or create steam that is distributed through radiators for heating a home.

Heating accounts for about one third of all residential energy consumption and one half of residential energy costs. Most of the consumption occurs in the northern half of the country where natural gas-fired furnaces are the most common type of heating equipment. The first efficiency standards for residential furnaces and boilers came into effect in 1992. A revision to the standard was not set until 2004, 10 years behind schedule, and it fell far short of achieving the nearly 190 billion cubic feet of natural gas savings per year that were possible. ASAP encourages states, particularly in the north, to seek waivers from federal preemption to enforce stricter efficiency requirements that would be more appropriate for their climate region. These include raising minimum furnace efficiency to 90% AFUE ("condensing" furnaces) and setting a requirement for efficient furnace fans.

• Federal Documentation (DOE Web site)

Update
In December 2007, the Congress enacted H.R. 6, requiring an increase in the efficiency of residential boilers.  Effective September 1, 2012, residential boilers will be required to have an 82% minimum annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) for gas hot water boilers and an 84% minimum AFUE for oil hot water boilers.  Additionally, boilers will no longer be manufactured with standing pilot lights and must be fitted with an automatic temperature reset.  (February 2008)

Press Release
New U.S. Standard for Home Furnaces Is "Turkey," Missed Opportunity to Cut Energy Bills and Global Warming Emissions
November 19, 2007

Special Analysis
State-by-State Energy and Economic Benefits From New Residential Furnace and Boiler Standards
February, 2007

Press Release
U.S. Energy Department Proposes New Efficiency Standards for Home Furnaces
October, 2006

Fact Sheet
New Furnace Energy Efficiency Standard Could Save Consumers $15 Billion
October, 2004

Report
Powerful Priorities: Updating Energy Efficiency Standards for Residential Furnaces
September, 2004