Furnace Mandate 2026

Important: Effective January 1, 2026

Colorado's New Low-NOₓ Furnace & Water Heater Requirements

What Colorado homeowners need to know about the upcoming changes

What's Changing

Starting January 1, 2026

Colorado House Bill 23-1161 prohibits the sale or lease of new gas-fired central furnaces and natural-gas water heaters unless they meet ultra-low NOₓ (nitrogen oxide) emissions limits.

Water Heaters

  • Units ≤ 75,000 Btu/hr: max 10 ng/J NOₓ
  • Units 75,000-2,000,000 Btu/hr: max 14 ng/J NOₓ

Furnaces

  • New standards for fan-type central furnaces
  • Ultra-low NOₓ emissions required

Why This Matters for Your Home

Cleaner Air & Health Benefits

NOₓ contributes to ozone and smog formation. This law is designed to reduce smog-forming pollution from household appliances, improving Colorado's air quality.

Avoid Cost Surprises

New units may cost more due to manufacturing requirements. Acting ahead of the deadline can save money and provide more options.

Future-Proof Your Home

Replace now under current rules for more equipment options and installer flexibility, rather than waiting for stricter requirements.

Inventory & Availability

After the deadline, all new stock must comply. Units already in Colorado inventory before that date may still be sold, but options will be limited.

What You Should Do Now

  • 1.

    Check Your Equipment Age & Condition

    If your existing furnace or water heater is near end-of-life, consider planning now for replacement rather than waiting for a winter failure.
  • 2.

    Ask Your Contractor Specific Questions

    • Is the replacement unit compliant with the January 1, 2026 low-NOₓ rule?
    • What is the NOₓ emission rating of the proposed unit?
    • Are there cost differentials now versus later?
  • 3.

    Explore Alternatives

    Consider heat pumps or electric systems. Transitioning sooner may bring rebates, reduce fuel dependence, and align with broader Colorado building-code trends.
  • 4.

    Budget for Possible Premium

    Gas furnaces may see price increases after the standard takes effect. Factor in potential higher pricing if you wait.
  • 5.

    Schedule in Advance

    Many homeowners will act ahead of the deadline. Scheduling now helps avoid seasonal delays and higher labor costs.

Reach Out To Us

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Hear From Our Satisfied Customers

Suzanne Higbee
2 days ago
Of all of the technicians we have had, she is the most courteous and well trained. We had problems with the water regulator. She listened to my concerns, offered ways to solve this, and fixed it.
Leroy Hinton
3 days ago
Mason was very knowledgeable and professional. He explained what the issue was and resolved it quickly and to our satisfaction. We are very pleased with Mason's customer service.
Janelle Preher
3 days ago
Zachary was great and exemplifies what I've come to expect from WireNut. He was personable and professional and did what needed to be done.
Lawrence Solan
3 days ago
Both Arber and Skye were here on property and were both professional and personable. I would welcome them back into my home. If I could give them each 10 stars, I would!
Doug Haase
3 days ago
Trevor was great, very thorough and informative. Great job!
kelvin huggins
3 days ago
Great outstanding service, technicians are the absolutely utmost professional
Sylvia Ward
4 days ago
Scott was awesome today he did a great job. 5 stars
Dianna Voruz
4 days ago
Brandon was awesome!! He was very thorough and explained everything in detail. Very friendly also.
Samuel Bole
4 days ago
Joshua did a fantastic job inspecting the furnace and humidifier.
Judy Duarte
5 days ago
Brady was great. Did the work timely and professional.
Dana Merry
6 days ago
I like the availability and how quick they responded. I also like the way tech willingness to answered my questions.
otebaba
6 days ago
Trevor got my heater fixed it took about 3 days due to parts issues but I really appreciate him assuring me it’s going to get the job done. Thank you
T
6 days ago
Andrew, Scott M. and Scott C. were fantastic. Both came for different services, but both provide fantastic support. Thank you!
Luciano Amutan
7 days ago
Brady (Ross) came out to inspect our furnace and whole house humidifier for the season. He explained what he was checking for and was patient as I asked questions about operations and things to look out for this winter. This visit is consistent with our other service calls, WireNut employees are on time, courteous, and professional. Thanks for helping us maintain our home.
Mark Elsner
7 days ago
Recently had a 19 year-old furnace serviced. The technician pointed out a few possible issues that may affect its performance. I did decline an overpriced thermostat but the $79 service fee was well worth the money spent.
Dale Sparks
1 week ago
Steve did a great job
Phyllis Edwards
1 week ago
Gary was extremely attentive to our needs

    Need Help? Give WireNut A Call!

    A broken system at home doesn’t just slow things down — it takes over. If the furnace won’t kick on, the water heater’s leaking, or your kitchen sink’s backed up — we’ll be there fast, and we’ll do it right. Our licensed, highly trained techs bring the skill, experience, and care to get the job done right the first time. No runaround. No surprises.