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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Brad O
3 days ago
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donna weimer
3 days ago
Not a big fan of wire nut as a company, but Sam was a pleasure to work with. He was on time great communication showed me how to operate my thermostat more efficiently and very professional.
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3 days ago
Great service and technicians! I've had a number of services from WireNut, including a full replacement of HVAC and humidifier, and the teams are always prompt, knowledgeable, and professional. Definitely recommend working with them!
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3 days ago
WireNut Home Services, is one professional outfit. These guys are good, at what they do, fast, fair, attentive, and professional. Kelly M.
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4 days ago
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4 days ago
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5 days ago
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5 days ago
Joe Ellard from WireNut Home services provided excellent customer service. They came to install a sewer clean out in the front yard. It involved digging a very deep hole. They were quick, efficient , friendly and kept us informed along the way. The work area stayed tidy through the whole job. When they were finished, they cleaned the area up and left it as if nothing had been done. Wonderful work. We will continue to use them as we have in the past, for all our heating, plumbing and electrical needs. I highly recommend them.
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5 days ago
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5 days ago
Jared came out to give me a quote on adding a couple of new receptacles I wanted. Not only did I get a quote, he was able to squeeze me in and get the work done. He was extremely professional and a pleasure to work with. WireNut never disappoints. Thank you!
Parker von Kalben
6 days ago
The duct cleaning crew was top notch! Thanks Josh and Kyle! I don't know if you can, but ask for these guys! They were respectful, informative, and great with our pups! I had 5 different WireNut employees at the house today and these guys stood out!
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6 days ago
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6 days ago
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Marcia Montgomery
1 week ago
Cannan and Ian were both concerned about making sure I understood the process they were involved in and answered any questions and concerns I had on both days they were here. There was some miscommunication that involved the last day of installation and they both made sure that my HVAC was installed and running before they left that night. That had been their promise to me and they came through!
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1 week ago
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1 week ago
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Best preventative maintenance inspection and informational review I’ve ever experienced! Well Done !

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