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As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “commercial warm air furnace” means a warm air furnace that is industrial equipment, and that has a capacity (rated maximum input) of 225,000 Btu per hour or more. A “warm air furnace” is defined as a self-contained oil-fired or gas-fired furnace designed to supply heated air through ducts to spaces that require it and includes combination warm air furnace/electric air conditioning units but does not include unit heaters and duct furnaces. 10 CFR 431.72. Manufacturers have been required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for commercial warm air furnaces since 1994.
DOE has published a Federal Register notice proposing to amend the test procedure for commercial warm air furnaces adopted under EPCA by rescinding Appendix B, “Uniform Test Method for Measurement of the Energy Efficiency of Commercial Warm Air Furnaces (Thermal Efficiency Two).” Upon further evaluation, DOE has tentatively determined that Appendix B is unduly burdensome to conduct, thereby failing to meet the statutory criteria for adoption of a test procedure. Commercial warm air furnaces will continue to be subject to the testing requirements of Appendix A, “Uniform Test Method for Measurement of the Energy Efficiency of Commercial Warm Air Furnaces (Thermal Efficiency).” DOE invites public input on its proposal.
DOE has published a Final Determination pertaining to Commercial Warm Air Furnaces. Specifically, this document provides DOE’s determination that the amended industry test procedure fails to satisfy EPCA’s statutory requirements.
For the latest information on the planned timing of future DOE regulatory milestones, see the current Office of Management and Budget Unified Agenda of Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions. All planned dates are preliminary and subject to change.
Determination
Final Determination - Federal Register, 90FR5560 (January 17, 2025)
Notice of Tentative Determination - Federal Register, 89FR104859 (December 26, 2024)
The commercial warm air furnaces energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE–2024–BT–DET–0012 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Standards
Final Determination - Federal Register, 87FR78821 (December 23, 2022)
Notification of Proposed Determination - Federal Register, 87FR24455 (April 26, 2022)
Reopening of the Comment Period
Request for Information
- Federal Register, 85FR36517 (June 17, 2020)
- Federal Register, 85FR27941 (May 11, 2020)
- Frequently Asked Questions
Direct Final Rule
Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
- Federal Register, 81 FR 2420 (January 15, 2016)
- Federal Register, 81 FR 2111 (January 15, 2016)
The commercial warm air furnaces energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2013-BT-STD-0021 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
The comment period is closed.
Test Procedure
Proposed Rule - Federal Register, 90FR20909 (May 16, 2025)
Final Rule - Federal Register, 88FR36217 (June 2, 2023)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Federal Register, 87FR10726 (February 25, 2022)
Request for Information - Federal Register, 85FR26626 (May 5, 2020)
- Frequently Asked Questions
The commercial warm air furnace test procedure rulemaking docket EERE-2019-BT-TP-0041 contains all notices, public comments, public meeting transcripts, and supporting documents pertaining to this rulemaking.
Public Meeting Information
There is no public meeting scheduled at this time.
Submitting Public Comments
The comment period is closed.
Commercial warm air furnaces manufactured and distributed in commerce, as defined by 42 U.S.C. 6291(16), must meet the energy conservation standards specified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 10 CFR 431.77.
To determine that commercial warm air furnaces that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at 10 CFR 431.76.
Compliance
DOE has established regulations on certification, compliance, and enforcement in the CFR at 10 CFR Part 429. These regulations cover statistical sampling plans, certified ratings, certification reports, record retention, and enforcement. More information on these regulations is available here.
Waivers
For information on current test procedure waivers, see DOE’s Waivers webpage.
For information about obtaining test procedure waivers, see 10 CFR 430.401.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for commercial warm air furnaces.
For information about obtaining exception relief, see 10 CFR part 1003.
Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions
For information on further guidance and answers to frequently asked questions on all covered products, see DOE’s Further Guidance database.
State Exemptions to Federal Pre-emption
DOE has not exempted any state from this energy conservation standard. States may petition DOE to exempt a state regulation from preemption by the federal energy conservation standard. States may also petition DOE to withdraw such exemptions. For details, see 10 CFR part 431, subpart W.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov