Available information indicates that improving the air-handler motors and fan systems in residential furnaces and heat pumps promises substantial, cost-effective efficiency gains (hundreds of kWh per year). Unfortunately, the mandatory test methods used give only indirect measures and do not reflect field conditions well. Efficient air handlers for heating-dominated climates use no more than 2% (site basis) of the total energy of the furnace; inefficient units use several times more. The savings potential is comparable to the electricity use of a 2001-compliant refrigerator (about 500 kWh/yr).

Units: Dual