Breaking News: DOE Will Not Enforce May 1 Furnace Rule
In a statement released this afternoon, the Department of Energy announced that it will NOT enforce the rules requiring residential natural gas furnaces installed in 30 northern states to be at least 90% AFUE starting on May 1, 2013, pending the outcome of the lawsuit challenging those rules.
This means that even though the rules remain “on the books,” the DOE will not enforce them. Therefore, contractors may continue to install non-condensing residential natural gas furnaces (i.e., those with an AFUE less than 90%) without consequence to themselves or their customers.
According to the statement, “In an exercise of its enforcement discretion, DOE will, during the pendency of the litigation, act in a manner consistent with the terms of the settlement agreement with regard to the enforcement of the standards.”
Time is ticking for new efficiency standards
Did you know that all furnaces installed on or after May 1st, 2013 in the NW region including Oregon must be at least 90% efficient?
There are a number of legal challenges to this rulings and it was believed that the department of energy had agreed to a settlement that would reassess the regional furnace standards. However the settlement is still pending court acceptance. Until that time, the effective date of May 1 remains in place.
While we are a strong believer in the high efficient furnace, their may be reasons to replace with an 80%. Perhaps to keep the replacement cost down for a rental property, or to avoid the retrofit costs of re-doing the exhaust venting (required with 90%+ furnaces.) If you are thinking about replacing a furnace and are thinking about an 80% efficient, the time to call us is now. Our suppliers are not going to be selling them, consequently, they have already begun phasing out their inventory.
Regional High Efficiency Standards Update
This week a motion was filed with U.S. Court of Appeals to request a stay or delay from the May 1 effective date for the Regional Efficiency Standards in the Northern Region. The motion, which was filed by the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) echoes comments presented to the court by HARDI regarding the uncertainty that this looming deadline has brought upon the entire HVACR industry. HARDI will be filing a response in support of the motion to stay or delay the deadline.
This motion is necessary, because as of the publication of this email, the court has not yet agreed to accept the proposed settlement agreement between the American Public Gas Association (APGA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Until the court officially accepts this settlement, the May 1 compliance date still stands and it will be illegal to install a non-compliant residential gas furnace in the Northern Region. To date, the DOE has yet to respond to two requests for a delay in the effective date, thus forcing stakeholders to ask the court to intervene.
To reiterate, a settlement has been proposed regarding regional efficiency standards for residential gas furnaces in the Northern Region, but as of today the court has yet to accept this settlement. There is no timetable for when the court may rule on both the APGA/DOE settlement or HARDI’s motion to continue on with the lawsuit to address other items, including regional efficiency standards for A/C in the South and Southwest. Because of uncertainty regarding the proximity of the May 1 compliance date, AHRI has filed a motion to stay or delay the effective date and HARDI will be filing a supportive response. Until the motion to stay is granted or the court accepts the proposed settlement, the May 1 effective date is still the law of the land. HARDI will continue to keep members updated as developments occur.
2012 Federal Tax Credit
Rose City Heating and Air Installation
We hear it everyday in the summer. “My upstairs is too hot!” Or “My A/C works great on the main floor
but doesn’t seem to cool the upstairs at all.”
Well, we have an answer. If you have an attic, you should have a attic ventilator. Each ventilator is the equivalent of 1/2 ton air conditioning. So, weather you have A/C or not, you would benefit.
Although most of the Federal Tax credits are gone, you can still get one for the installation of a solar attic ventilator. 30% of the full cost.
Benefits;
Keeps your top floor “cooler” by eliminating heat blanket effect.
Extends the life of roof.
Qualifies for 30% Federal Tax Credit.
Reduces moisture in the winter.
Extremely Quiet (no harmonic hum typical of powered fans)
Reduces A/C usage (each unit equals 1/2 ton air conditioner.)
*Optional remote control and powered back up available.
Furnace Installation disected
Ever wonder what is involved in replacing your furnace? Well, here you go.
Whether we are installing a gas furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner, we use only the best installation techniques rather than the “quicker is better approach”. In this example, we replaced a 80% efficient gas furnace with a 96.6% efficient gas furnace.
What we did;
* Removed and recycled old gas furnace.
* Replaced water heater venting with code compliant double walled b-vent.
* Installed seismic “earthquake” straps on water heater for protection.
* Extra filters always left onsite.
* Gas safety post installed in garage to prevent accidental gas line damage if a car were to run into it.
* New condensate pump is installed 18″ from ground for protection from car exhaust & spark that could be generated when pump engages. We wire the pump to shut off furnace if drainage problem is detected. (for water damage protection)
* New gas line & properly configured drip-leg with new gas safety shut off valve installed.
* Condensate drain line is insulated to protect from freezing.
* Intake air pipe is installed to pull from the “fresh outdoor air” & insulated to minimize heat loss.
* Exhaust air pipe ran outside to a centrifugal vent kit.
* Top plenum replaced and insulated.
* Bottom plenum replaced and sealed using code-complaint metal tape.
* Heat deflector installed between water heater venting and insulation.
* Filter door installed for easy filter changes, marked with size of filter and airflow direction.
* Electrical grounded and updated to code.
* Documentation holder for easy storage of all manuals, service records, etc.
* Rose City Heating & Air sticker on furnace to remind you who did this awesome installation!
This homeowner’s NW Natural gas bill and PGE electric bill both went down significantly since we put in the new furnace. Plus, they received a $350 Oregon State tax credit for the upgrade.
Air Conditioner Wont Turn On
Go through this quick check list to understand what to do next.
- No air coming out of the supply vents?
- No cool air or not cool enough coming out of the vents?
What Does HVAC Stand For?
As a consumer you may of had heard the term HVAC but did not no what it meant. Well if you have ever been curios here is your answer.
HVAC (Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning) is the technology of indoor or automotive environmental comfort. HVAC system design is a major subdiscipline of mechanical engineering, based on the principles of thermodynamics,fluid mechanics, and heat transfer. Refrigeration and is often added to the HVAC abbreviation as HVAC&R or HVACR or ventilating is dropped as in HACR (such as the designation of HACR-rated circuit breakers).
HVAC is important in the design of medium to large industrial and large office buildings also marine environments such as aquariums, where safe and healthy building conditions are regulated with temperature and humidity, as well as “fresh air” from outdoor environment.
So when you see a heating and air conditioning company refer to itself as an HVAC company or use that term in their marketing literature or their internet presence they are really saying they are a heating and cooling company. We don’t use the term with our customers or when communicating with the public because it will often confuse them since they are not part of the HVAC they would have no reason to know what it mean. .
For more information check Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HVAC
Another Customer is taking advantage of the Tax Credits
Before and After Pictures of another installation last week. The Nelson’s are getting their $2040 before expiration on 12/31/10.
Get more details on Federal, State and other Rebates here.
The Federal Tax Credits for Heating and Cooling Systems is going to expire soon.
Frank D. will get $2040 in tax credits and Incentives for choosing a high efficient furnace and on demand hot water heater.
Get more details on Federal, State and other Rebates here.
The Dangers of Carbon Monoxide
If your furnace starts leaking carbon monoxide how would you know?
Carbon Monoxide is a odorless, tasteless and invisible so you could inhale it day after day for years without knowing it. Carbon monoxide can cause gradual death if inhaled over time or it could cause sudden death if you breathe in a large enough amount of the gas.
Because Carbon Monoxide is not detectable by humans it can be very dangerous and having a broken furnace that needs repair can become a critical issue if it involves a carbon monoxide leak. Your own survival is a good reason to have your heating system cleaned and serviced once a year by a reputable heating and cooling company.
Another way of preventing carbon monoxide poisoning is by installing a carbon monoxide detector in the same area your furnace is.
It may seem to that you don’t hear about carbon monoxide poisoning very often but it happens more than you think because not all incidents of it make it beyond the victims local news and if you think about it car accidents don’t happen that often either but if you have been involved in a major one of some you know has you realize what a life changing experience it can be and so it will be if carbon monoxide poisoning happens to you.
So if you have your furnace serviced and make sure the furnace is repaired so you can avoid carbon monoxide leaks.
Information on Carbon Monoxide from the EPA
Carbon Monoxide emissions for the Portland Oregon area
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning a Public Health Perspective
- by phone at: 7
- 03-347-8561
- by fax at: 703-347-8691
- by email at: nceadc.comment@epa.gov
Also visit Carbon Monoxide Kills for more information
You can purchase a carbon monoxide detector many places, here are the selection available at Home Depot.
If you live in the Portland Oregon area and are concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning in your home don’t hesitate to call us, 503.636.5371