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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Assessment of the effect on the gas industry of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987. Topical report, November 1988

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5715871

This report evaluates the effect on the appliance industry, the utility industry, and the consumer of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987 (NAECA). The Act affects residential appliances. Existing state efficiency standards are preempted. Most residential gas-fired appliances are affected by NAECA efficiency standards. Most severely affected (high percentage of models that do not meet efficiency standards) are horizontal warm-air furnaces and lo-boy water heaters. Both types of appliances are used primarily in warmer climates where slab and crawl space type homes are constructed. Increasing the efficiency of appliances will typically increase the initial cost to the consumer. Payback time is increasingly important as the annual climate becomes warmer. The warmer the annual climate, the longer the payback time. It is recommended that research begin immediately to develop low-cost appliances that meet NAECA efficiency standards; manufacturers who may need research help to develop higher efficiency appliances be identified; and venting needs of appliances meeting NAECA efficiency standards be studied.

Research Organization:
American Gas Association Labs., Cleveland, OH (USA)
OSTI ID:
5715871
Report Number(s):
PB-89-194013/XAB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English