The Department of Energy (DOE) in response to the climate crisis has increased the minimum Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) standard from 80% to 90% for all new heating and cooling units to move America closer to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
For example, a high-efficiency gas furnace with an AFUE of 97 percent creates 97 BTUs of heat with every 100 BTUs of gas it uses. The rest is typically lost to the outdoors and flue emissions. A higher AFUE means greater efficiency.
The DOE sets the minimum efficiency standards for ALL heating and cooling equipment manufacturers. Currently, it is 80 percent. Effective January 1, 2023, the new minimum efficiency will be 90 percent.
What does that mean to you?
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