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What is FER?
The Fan Furnace Efficiency Rating (“FER”) is a regulation passed by the Department of Energy in 2014 that limits the power consumption (watts per cfm) of furnace fans on certain HVAC equipment.
What does it mean for me?
Furnace fans, also known as blowers, that use a permanent split capacitor (PSC) motor cannot meet the power consumption requirement. Therefore, after July 3, 2019, furnaces may only be manufactured with an electronically commutated motor (ECM), which can be either constant torque or variable speed. Inducer fans are not covered under the regulation.
Which products are impacted?
All furnaces (gas, oil and electric), modular blowers (with and without electric heat), and gas-fired residential package units.
Can I sell a furnace or package unit with a PSC motor after July 3, 2019?
Yes, there is no restriction on selling or installing equipment with a PSC motor that was built before July 3, 2019.
What happens if I have a warranty claim for a PSC motor?
PSC motors will still be available for warranty replacements and non-warranty repairs.
Is there a difference in servicing PSC vs. ECM?
The main difference is that a PSC motor uses a capacitor, and an ECM does not, which typically makes trouble-shooting easier on an ECM.
The right equipment for every homeowner
With the upcoming FER (Fan Furnace Energy Rating) regulations taking effect starting July 3, 2019, now is the best time to start talking to homeowners about the added benefits of a Constant Torque motor. Below you will find a chart that walks through the added benefits to a homeowner like airflow, indoor air quality, and utility rebates.
In fact, Lennox has a full line of FER compliant furnaces which either come with variable-speed airflow to precisely adjust the flow of air and help control humidity levels for a more comfortable environment, or trademarked Power Saver™ technology, which provides more consistent temperatures, more even airflow and quieter operation, while still using energy efficiently. Below you will find our current line of furnaces that will be FER compliant after July 3rd.
