The home heating oil industry has a long and proud history, and Fuel Oil News has been there supporting it since 1935. It is an industry that has faced many challenges during that time. In its 77th year, Fuel Oil News is doing more than just holding
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process, which resumed in January 2014. As part of the settle‐ ment that eventuated from these discussions, DOE agreed to withdraw the DFR and initiate a traditional notice and com‐ ment rulemaking for new furnace efficiency standards. The DFR mandated an increase in annual fuel utilization efficiency from 78% to 90% for natural gas furnaces installed in 30 northern states. The federal minimum efficiency for natural gas furnaces was also increased from 78% to 80% in southern states. Under the DFR process, unless DOE received adverse com‐ ments that DOE believed provided a reasonable basis for with‐ drawing the DFR, the rule and its minimum efficiency standards would stand as the new efficiency standards. Despite receiving comments opposing the standards from over 30 stakeholder groups including APGA, DOE ruled that it did not receive adverse comments warranting withdrawal of the DFR. The furnace rule would have taken effect in May 2013. Instead, DOE will now develop new efficiency standards for gas furnaces. In this new rulemaking, APGA urges DOE to con‐ sider regional impacts on consumers when setting appliance efficiency standards. APGA is the national association of municipally and publicly‐ owned local distribution systems. PRODUCTS Thermo ProducTs LLc announces The reLease of The ohc95 Thermo Products, LLC, a manufacturer of warm air heating and air conditioning prod‐ ucts, has developed a 95% AFUE oil condensing furnace that is Energy Star qualified. This is a testament to their commitment to bringing to market the best products in the industry. The Thermo Products R&D team has designed and developed this new ultra‐high efficient oil fur‐ nace, with assistance from the National Oilheat Research Alliance. The OHC95 has a firing rate of 75,000 Btuh with up to 4 tons of A/C cooling capacity. It uses industry standard components such as a Riello BF3 oil burner and comes with a standard ECM blower motor for additional energy sav‐ ings. This furnace was designed with serviceability in mind. Thermo Products has designed easy access to the primary and secondary heat exchangers and has even mounted the entire assembly on a roller system that can be pulled out. This makes servicing the primary and secondary heat exchangers quick and easy if maintenance in required. They have also designed the secondary heat exchanger with larger tubes allowing less restricted airflow to minimize buildup. Thermo Products will initially offer the furnace to contractors who have gone through their training program. The company is offer‐ ing the technical training to make sure the system is installed to their specifications for maximum performance and efficiency. Thermo Products LLC — www.thermopride.com aquamoTion am10 hydronic PumP AquaMotion, Inc., a US manufacturer of hydronic pumps, has introduced a new line of 3‐speed hydronic pumps. The new AM10 pumps are designed to provide a more energy‐efficient and less expensive circulator than those currently on the market. AquaMotion designed the rugged 3‐speed AM10 circulator to extend the range of the AquaMotion pump offerings as a sug‐ gested replacement pump for all service calls. It features performance ratings and features that make it ideal to replace all circulators up to 26 GPM. Further, the new units use 28% less power than the market leader. The four‐bolt flange for mounting in‐line or 90 degree rotation capability make the AM10 ideally suited to become a perfect replacement service pump, for most installa‐ tions. The amp draw for the AM10 is 0.45 on low speed, 0.60 on medium speed and 0.75 on high speed. The units are available in cast iron or stainless steel. AquaMotion Inc. — www.aquamotionhvac.com HVAC/HYDRONICS N e w s www.fueloilnews.com | fueL oiL neWs | June 2014 37