Residential Furnace Fans
This page describes rulemaking activities and regulations regarding energy efficiency for residential furnace fans. A furnace fan is an electrically-powered device used in residential central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for the purposes of circulating air through duct work. A furnace fan consists of a fan motor and its controls, a centrifugal impeller, and sheet metal housing.
Statutory Authority
Title III of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975(EPCA), Pub. L. 94-163, (42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 6291 et seq.) established an energy conservation program for major household appliances and industrial and commercial equipment. More specifically, Part A of Title III (42 U.S.C. 6291-6309) establishes the "Energy Conservation Program for Consumer Products Other Than Automobiles." Subsequent amendments to EPCA have given DOE expanded authority to regulate the energy efficiency of several other products, including the use of electricity for purposes of circulating air through duct work of residential heating and cooling systems (furnace fans). Section 135(c) of the Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 2005, Pub. L. 109-58, amended section 325 of EPCA by giving DOE the authority to consider and prescribe energy conservation standards or energy use standards for electricity used for the purposes of circulating air through duct work. (42 U.S.C. 6295(f)(4)(D)) DOE is initiating its first rulemaking to consider new energy conservation standards or energy use standards for furnace fans, as required under 42 U.S.C. 6295(f)(4)(D) which reads as follows:
Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the requirements of subsection (o) of this section are met, not later than December 31, 2013, the Secretary shall consider and prescribe energy conservation standards or energy use standards for electricity used for purposes of circulating air through duct work.
In addition to requiring DOE to establish new energy conservation standards or energy use standards for furnace fans, EPCA generally directs DOE to establish test procedures for new covered products, such as furnace fans. (42 U.S.C. 6295(r)) Furthermore, section 310(3) of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA 2007) amended EPCA to require that any new or amended energy conservation standard adopted after July 1, 2010, shall address standby mode and off mode energy use pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 6295(o). (42 U.S.C. 6295(gg)(3)) Pursuant to these mandates, DOE is also initiating a furnace fan test procedure rulemaking at this time.
Energy Conservation Standards
Test Procedures
Public Meetings
Presentation Material (June 15, 2012)
Webinar Registration (June 15, 2012)
Contact Information
Mohammed Khan
Program Manager
(202) 586-7892