Consumer Furnace Fans
As defined in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), “residential furnace fan” means an electrically-powered device used in residential buildings for the purpose of circulating air through duct work. 10 CFR 430.2 Manufacturers are required to comply with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) energy conservation standards for residential furnace fans starting July 3, 2019.
Current Standard | Current Test Procedure |
Ongoing Rulemaking for Standards | Ongoing Rulemaking for Test Procedure |
Helpful Links
Recent and Ongoing Activities
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has published a Federal Register notice pertaining to its test procedures for consumer furnace fans. In the rule, DOE is amending the test procedure to: clarify the scope of applicability of the furnace fan test procedure; incorporate by reference the most recent versions of industry test methods; establish a test method for furnace fans incapable of operating at the required external static pressure; clarify testing of certain products, including furnace fans with modulating controls, certain two-stage furnaces that operate at reduced input only for a preset period of time, and dual-fuel furnaces; and make updates to improve test procedure repeatability and reproducibility.
- The effective date of this rule is June 26, 2024.
- The amendments will be mandatory for product testing starting October 9, 2024.
- The incorporation by reference of certain material listed in this rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register on June 26, 2024.
Petition
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Final Denial of Petition for Rulemaking
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- Federal Register, 86FR52422 (September 21, 2021)
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Notice of Petition for Rulemaking
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- Federal Register, 83FR56746 (November 14, 2018)
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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.
Standards
| Notice of Proposed Determination |
- Federal Register, 88FR69826 (October 6, 2023)
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| Notice of Availability of Preliminary Technical Support Document |
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Request for Information
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- Federal Register, 86FR66465 (November 23, 2021)
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DOE undertook a rulemaking process that concluded with a final rule in 2014. The consumer furnace fans energy conservation standard rulemaking docket EERE-2010-BT-STD-0011 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
Test Procedure
| Final Rule |
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| Notice of Proposed Rulemaking |
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Request for Information
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The residential furnace fans energy test procedure docket EERE-2020-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
Current Standard
Residential furnace fans 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 430.32(y).
To determine that residential furnace fans that are currently manufactured or distributed into commerce are in compliance with DOE standards, manufacturers must follow the test procedure methods specified at Appendix AA to Subpart B of Part 430.
Helpful Links
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 430.27.
Exceptions
DOE's Office of Hearings and Appeals has not authorized exception relief for residential furnace fans.
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 430, subpart D.
Small Business Exemptions
Any manufacturer of a covered product with annual gross revenues that do not exceed $8,000,000 from all its operations and meets certain other conditions may apply for an exemption to the energy conservation standard. For details, see 10 CFR part 430, subpart E.
ENERGY STAR®
DOE supports the testing and verification of ENERGY STAR® products in close collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Find tips and guidance for making your home, workplace, or vehicle more energy efficient visit EnergySavers.gov.
For more information related to this product, please email:
ApplianceStandardsQuestions@ee.doe.gov
