CFA joined other advocates in calling for DOE to promptly finalize a final interpretive rule for energy conservation standards for residential furnaces and commercial water heaters.

Updated energy conservation standards reflecting condensing-level performance for a range of gas space- and water-heating equipment have the potential to save U.S. consumers and businesses more than $100 billion on their energy bills through 2050 while reducing cumulative CO2 emissions by more than 500 million metric tons. However, in a January 2021 final interpretive rule, DOE determined that the use of non-condensing technology (and associated venting) constitutes a performance-related “feature” under the Energy and Policy Conservation Act (EPCA) that cannot be eliminated through the adoption of an energy conservation standard, which prevents the Department from even considering condensing-level standards. In the proposed interpretive rule, DOE proposes to revert to the Department’s previous and long-standing interpretation that the use of non-condensing technology is not a performance-related “feature.” We strongly support DOE’s proposal, which would help protect consumers and allow the Department to carry out EPCA’s goal of increasing the energy efficiency of covered products and equipment through energy conservation standards. We urge DOE to promptly publish a final rule.