The Department of Energy (DOE) has set new regional standards for furnace replacement. Condo, townhome and single-family homeowners, who replace a furnace after May 1, 2013, must install a model with 90 percent efficiency or better.
When it comes to Minneapolis furnace replacement, homeowners who need to purchase a new furnace can take advantage of rebates still available. Current rebates for installing high-efficiency furnaces from CenterPoint Energy and Xcel Energy for 2012 range from $100 to $400, depending on the efficiency of the natural gas forced air furnace. Next year’s rates have not been finalized, but cost proposals range from $50 to $400.
Furnace Replacement & Installation Can Be Expensive
That extra savings can take some of the sting out of the cost associated with furnace replacement. One of the main reasons for the steeper expense is that the majority of high-efficiency furnaces vent from the side of the home via white PVC pipe.
According to Jonathon Melchi, Director of Government Affairs at Heating, Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Distributors International (HARDI), “One problem for condo and townhouse owners is that some homeowner associations don’t allow side venting of PVC pipes due to aesthetics. Single family homes, where the furnace is in an interior room, often require complicated installations adding between $1,000 and $4,000 to the cost.”
High-Efficiency Furnace Cuts Utility Costs
The good news, in addition to the rebates, is that you can save nearly $400 a year in utility costs when replacing a Minneapolis furnace that has an 80-percent efficiency rating with a 90-percent rating model.
For homeowners with a lower efficiency model that’s still performing well, furnace replacement is not required. If the furnace needs replacing, you can still purchase a furnace of less than 90 percent efficiency if installed prior to the May 1st deadline.
If you’re a homeowner who needs a new furnace, furnace replacement, or you’re uncertain about how the new guidelines may affect you, contact Ray N. Welter Heating Company at 612-825-6867 for expert advice.
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