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The benefits that these new standards could provide are substantial.The report indicates that taken together, the three new standards’ potential savings could be worth at least $22 billion (2004$) to consumer and businesses and an avoided amount of summertime peak electrical demand equivalent to the output of over 70 average size new power plants.Adopting the new standards would reduce peak electricity demand, threats to public health from pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions.To further bolster the support for these new standards, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners adopted a resolution in support of both expanded state efficiency standards and upgraded national efficiency standards.Finally, the new standards being proposed will not require additional research and development since products from most manufacturers are on the market today already meet the proposed new energy efficiency standards. Andrew deLaski, one of the primary authors of the report, believes that the new efficiency standards for residential furnaces and boilers hold the most energy savings potential."Our analysis found that the lion's share of the energy savings at stake in the current DOE priority rules comes from stronger furnace and boiler standards. We also found that any serious attempt to reduce overall furnace and boiler energy use must tackle furnace fan performance and the need for a cold weather state standard." Currently DOE requires a minimum AFUE, a measure of annual thermal efficiency, but does not regulate electrical consumption of furnaces, even though the typical furnace fan uses twice as much electricity in a year as a new refrigerator. A standard for equipment destined for cold weather states would be a departure for DOE as well -- in the past the agency has maintained a single, national standard. But such a departure is well-justified, according to deLaski, because, "it simply does not make sense to have the same furnace efficiency standard in Mississippi as you have in Minnesota." To find out more about ASAP and to download the “Powerful Priorities” report, please visit the ASAP website. The Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANOPR) for Distribution Transformers, Residential Furnace and Boilers, and Commercial Air Conditioners were released July 29, 2004.Public hearings are being held September 28, 29, and 30th, respectively, and final comments are due to the DOE November 9, 10, and 11th, respectively. More information on these and other energy efficiency standards, please visit the DOE website. Other resources:
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The Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP) has released a report on the anticipated DOE new minimum energy efficiency requirements for residential furnaces and boilers, commercial air conditioners, and distribution transformers.The report, titled “Powerful Priorities”, identifies the potential major benefits that may be attained if the proposed new energy efficiency standards are finalized and implemented on schedule.ASAP is a joint project of the Alliance to Save Energy, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy and the Natural Resources Defense Council.