What the Mandate Actually Says
No spin. No fear-mongering. Just what's coming and why it costs you.
The 95% AFUE Rule
Starting in late 2028, the DOE mandates that every newly installed residential gas furnace meet a 95% AFUE efficiency standard. The reliable 80% units most Arizona homes use today will no longer be manufactured or installed as new equipment.
The "Retrofit Tax"
A 95% condensing furnace cannot vent through your existing metal chimney. It requires new PVC exhaust piping routed through your home and a dedicated condensation drain line. Translation: thousands in structural work on top of the equipment itself.
Do Your Own Research (Official DOE Sources)
We'll always tell you to verify it yourself. Here's the primary source straight from the federal government:
Department of Energy Finalizes Efficiency StandardsHow to Beat the Deadline
Both options skip the Retrofit Tax. Pick the one that fits your home, your budget, and your plans.
The "Grandfather" Strategy
The mandate applies to new installations, not to existing equipment. Replace your aging unit with a new, reliable 80% furnace before the 2028 cutoff and you're legally grandfathered in — you keep your existing metal venting and dodge the Retrofit Tax for another 15–20 years.
- Uses your existing metal chimney — zero structural work
- Lower equipment cost than a condensing furnace
- Proven technology that's perfect for mild Arizona winters
Trane POVO 120v Heat Pump Conversion
Ready to ditch natural gas entirely? We pair an outdoor Trane heat pump with the Trane POVO modular blower — it runs on the standard 120-volt outlet your furnace already uses. You get a fully electric, highly efficient system without paying an electrician thousands to run new 240-volt high-voltage wiring.
- Runs on your existing 120v furnace outlet — no rewiring
- Fully electric heating & cooling from one system
- Qualifies for federal heat pump tax credits
Don't Wait for the Panic Buying to Start.
Inventory of 80% furnaces will dry up as we get closer to 2028. Schedule a free, no-pressure consultation to see which option fits your home.
SMW Refrigeration & Heating · Family-owned in Tempe since 1964 · Licenses ROC172364, ROC337415