Heating, Air-conditioning & Refrigeration Distributors International and the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association, along with the Natural Gas Association of Georgia, have filed an amicus brief urging the Supreme Court of the United States to review a federal court decision involving furnace efficiency standards. The case challenges regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Energy that would effectively eliminate non-condensing gas furnaces and certain commercial water heaters by requiring design changes tied to condensation and venting.

The associations argue that the rule could remove widely used replacement options from the market, particularly in homes and buildings designed for non-condensing equipment. They contend that federal law was intended to balance energy efficiency goals with installation practicality and consumer choice. A decision by the Supreme Court on whether to take the case is expected in the coming months, and the outcome could have broader implications for equipment standards, contractor installation realities, and future regulatory authority affecting HVAC and plumbing professionals nationwide. Click here to read more.