Those of us that live in the northern half of the United States endure some of the most extreme winter seasons. Blizzards are not uncommon in Maine or Illinois, and as a result, the heating system is used around the clock during the coldest months of the year, typically October to April or May depending on the year. Heavy use of the heating system not only leads to high energy costs, but it also causes a lot of air pollution.
The combustion process that your heating system uses to create heat for the home pumps out greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Natural gas furnaces may be the cleanest burning units when compared to the alternatives, propane, oil, wood, and electricity, but if your furnace is wasteful with the natural gas it consumes it can still be a major contributor to pollution.
Energy Security and Independence Act of 2007
Because of this fact, Congress passed a law in 2007 that made it a requirement for homeowners in the northern states to upgrade their heating systems to 90% AFUE condensing furnaces come May 2013. This deadline is fast approaching and if you have a non-condensing furnace in your home, the system is definitely not energy efficient enough to meet the law’s requirements.
If you live in any of the states listed below, when your current furnace breaks down, you will have no choice but to purchase a 90%AFUE condensing furnace:
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Northwestern States |
Midwestern States |
Northeastern States |
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An Upgrade You Won’t Mind Making
Condensing furnaces are less wasteful than non-condensing furnace because they put the byproducts of combustion to good use. These systems condense the byproducts and extract extra heat from them before they are vented into the air. This creates more heat for the home with less fuel. The system is more energy efficient and better for our environment.
This may seem like bad news initially, but the energy savings will help pay of the system by reducing your energy costs month after month. This is an upgrade that you will have no choice but to make and luckily it is one that you won’t mind making because of the savings!
