ENERGY STAR
Scope
Most Efficient
2012
www.energystar.gov
Eligibility Criteria for Recognition
Furnaces
Included products. Non-weatherized residential gas furnaces (as defined below) are eligible for
Most Efficient recognition in 2012.
Residential Furnace: A heating unit with a heat input rate of less than 225,000 Btu per hour
whose function is the combustion of fossil fuel (natural gas, propane) for space heating with
forced hot air. Unit must include bumer(s), heat exchangers), blower(s) and connections to
heating ducts. Unit may also provide hot water for domestic or other use.
Excluded products. The following products are not eligible for Most Efficient recognition in 2012:
•	Furnaces intended for commercial installation and/or with a rating of 225,000 Btu per
hour energy or higher
•	Mobile home furnaces
•	Weatherized gas furnaces
•	Oil furnaces
Recognition Criteria
1)	Product must be ENERGY STAR qualified consistent with applicable ENERGY STAR
Partner Commitments and the requirements set forth in the ENERGY STAR Program
Requirements Product Specification Version 2.0. Product performance must be certified by an
EPA-recognized certification body.
2)	AFUE 97% or higher.
3)	Furnaces must have communications, system status and automated configuration capability
as defined below.
System Controller: A thermostat or other control device with a user interface, which can be
located in conditioned space. It is strongly recommended, but not required, that the controller
have access to outside temperature data and that it translate all diagnostic and service
messages into plain text.
Communications: Units shall be able to participate in two-way communications with at least one
system controller model that is available for sale.
System status: Units shall be able to transmit any fault codes which indicate a need for
technician service to at least one system controller model that is available for sale. With this
information, the control device is able to advise homeowners to call their service personnel.
Continued on the next page.
Final ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2012 Furnaces Eligibility Criteria
Effective January 2012

-------
Automated configuration: Units shall be able to send and receive information to at least one
system controller model that is available for sale to automatically configure settings appropriate
to the controlled equipment, such as airflow for heating and cooling. This may include prompting
an installer through configuration of HVAC system settings and desired comfort settings, and a
test sequence at turn-on.
Recognition Period
Upon notification from an ENERGY STAR partner, EPA will add qualifying models to the Most
Efficient 2012 product list for furnaces from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012. The
Most Efficient 2012 designation may be used in association with models recognized during this
period for as long as the model remains on the market.
Final ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2012 Furnaces Eligibility Criteria
Effective January 2012

-------