� NEFI : EPA SUSPENDS PHASE-OUT OF FURNACES , BOILERS , FROM ENERGY STAR
“ NEFI has learned from sources on Capitol Hill that the U . S . Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) has effectively placed a hold on its proposal to phase out liquid- and gas-fired furnaces and boilers from the Energy Star program ,” the trade group reports .
“ This information comes after the proposed start date of January 1 , 2024 , passed without any actions or stakeholder announcements from the agency ,” the National Energy & Fuels Institute says in the Jan . 17 issue of its newsletter , NEFI Energy Online News ( NEON ).
“ Specifically , we were informed the EPA does not plan to move forward ‘ any time soon ,’ effectively maintaining the status quo – at least for now ,” the industry group noted , adding that the development “ is a considerable victory for fuel dealers and HVAC service providers . Our concerted efforts , including extensive comments and a grassroots campaign that generated nearly 700 letters of opposition , were instrumental to this outcome .”
The proposal would impact appliance manufacturers to consumers , and drew concerns from Democrats and Republicans , “ especially because it [ would ] turn the well-regarded ENERGY STAR program into a partisan issue ,” NEFI said .
Critics of the proposal , including NEFI , had raised concerns about its narrow focus on electrification , overlooking the need for hybrid systems and the potential of renewable heating fuels like Bioheat fuel and renewable propane . Further , the Institute noted , the proposal “ did not fully consider the implications for working families and lower income households that may not be able to afford or even want to install heat pump systems . The EPA ’ s hesitation suggests they are taking these concerns seriously and reevaluating their approach .”
NEFI concluded , “ While we celebrate this development , it ’ s crucial to remain vigilant . The proposal could resurface in the future , perhaps after the upcoming election . Therefore , we must continue to monitor the situation closely and be prepared to respond to this and other future regulatory actions that may affect the competitiveness of the industry .”
� RESEARCH : SMART THERMOSTATS IN 16 % OF US INTERNET HOUSEHOLDS
Parks Associates issued white paper in partnership with Resideo , “ The Power Play : Uniting Smart Devices for Home Energy Management ,” which highlights the current consumer demand for energy efficiency and strategies to deploy comprehensive , interoperable energy management solutions for US households .
Parks Associates ’ ongoing quarterly research of 8,000 US internet households shows adoption of smart thermostats increased to 16 % by the end of 2022 , as 62 % of US internet households say their electricity costs are too high .
The white paper examines practical solutions and the latest advancements in smart home technology that contribute to energy management . Examples include smart blinds that adjust automatically to optimize natural light , smart lighting systems that respond to occupancy , and intelligent electrical panels that allow for precise control over home energy usage . The challenge across industries is to create a unified experience for consumers , where multiple devices are interoperable and integrate with utility demand response and time-of-use programs .
“ Rising costs are motivating consumers to seek out energy-efficient solutions , but the lack of interoperability between different brands and generations of smart devices poses a significant barrier to effective energy management ,” said Jennifer Kent , VP , Research , Parks Associates . “ In addition , utilities and energy providers would gain extensive insight and ability to optimize energy usage if energy devices such as solar inverters , smart thermostats , room sensors , and smart blinds work together .”
“ Resideo is working with industry groups to help guide interoperability standards adoption that will deepen our wholehome energy management platform , impact electric grid stability and enable simplified electrification ,” said Linsey Miller , Senior Vice President , Business Development and Strategic Marketing , Resideo . “ The Resideo Energy Management team , together with utilities , providers and other smart appliance brands , can help deliver more comfortable and efficient homes to curb consumer costs and decrease overall energy use .”
“ The Power Play ” highlights the barriers and opportunities that exist in making optimized whole-home energy management a reality . Beyond detailing technological capabilities , the white paper examines the broader implications for various stakeholders in the energy sector , including the benefits to energy providers , devicemakers , and retailers , and charts a course for the future development of these critical technologies . This white paper is a valuable resource for industry professionals , technology enthusiasts , and anyone invested in the future of home energy management .
Parks Associates , a woman-founded and certified business , is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services . Founded in 1986 , Parks Associates provides business intelligence and research services through its proprietary methodologies developed over decades , including quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households .
The company ’ s expertise crosses many industries : home security and smart home , streaming video , broadband and pay-TV services , digital media and platforms , gaming , Wi-Fi and home networks , connected health , support , consumer electronics , home control systems , energy management , and tech solutions for the multi-dwelling ( MDU ), small-to-medium business ( SMB ), and commercial building markets .
Each year , Parks Associates brings thousands of leaders together for its webinars and annual events . The firm hosts the annual executive research and strategy conferences . l FON
18 FEBRUARY 2024 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com