AN UPDATE ON "WHAT KIND OF FURNACE TO BUY"

 

 

Actually I don't think I addressed this issue in a previous posting.  Here is a summary of what that posting might have looked like - IF YOU LIVE IN ANY OF THE 29 NORTHERN STATES, AS OF MAY 2013 THE DEPT. OF ENERGY (FEDERAL GOVT.) WILL DICTATE TO YOU THE TYPE OF FURNACE YOU MAY PUT IN YOUR HOME!!!

 

Here is the follow up - after being sued by the American Public Gas Association the feds have backed off  this ruling. The APGA maintained in their suit that such a ruling would force low income homeowners to swap their gas furnaces for electric and kerosene space heaters. I would like to know how they arrived at that conclusion. 

 

It's worthy to note that the ruling does not apply to boilers or hot water heating systems;  just gas forced air furnaces.  Also, it looks like these rules will be remanded to a commenting process so look for them to return in some form or another in the future.

 

Here are some interesting points!  The DOE claims that these new rules, if they go into effect, will cut our country's residential energy use by 20% between 2013 and 2045.  If this is true this would be quite significant and certainly something to consider.  It also claims that a high efficiency furnace can save the average home owner about $100.00 a year in energy costs - again, something significant. 

 

Those who are supposed to be "in the know" claim that the higher cost of installing a high efficiency furnace will force some to abandon their gas furnace for other options - don't know if that's a reasonable statement or not. 

 

No matter what, the bottom line here seems to be that the DOE at some point in time is going to finalize some rules on furnace replacement so if you  think you may not want to pay the extra $ to have a high efficiency furnace installed you may want to give some thought to replacing your furnace now or at best start putting a little $ away for when the time comes and your furnace takes a nose dive -GIVE IT SOME THOUGHT! 

 

 

 



ARE YOU LOOKING FOR SOME REASONS TO LOOK FORWARD TO 2013??

 

 

1.  Most people are quite optimistic about home values going up - they are not going to shoot up but I believe there will be positive movement.

 

2.  There should be more new households formed this year.

 

3.  Home buyers seem to have a greater sense of urgency - see # 6 below.

 

4.  Home ownership still remains a goal for members of the "Millennial" generation.

 

5.  Foreclosures look like they may fall to pre-housing-bust levels.



 

6.  Interest rates should remain relatively low during this year -informed home buyers are aware that rates will begin to rise soon.  Many of them want to beat the clock and are earnestly looking for a new place to call home.

 

7.  Loan demand for purchases seems to be on the upswing. 

 

8.  More homeowners seem to think this year will be a good time to sell.

 

9.  The number (and location) of improving housing markets is on the rise.

 

10.  New job opportunities are expected to provide a must-needed boost to the commercial sector. 

12.  As the economy improves and values rise equity will return and fewer home owners will be underwater.

13.  Real estate is contributing to the overall economic recovery.