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

Belinda Yount
2 weeks ago
I was very impressed with Jerrod's electrical knowledge & honest professionalism. He was also very patient while explaining my electrical issues & the process for what needs to happen to move forward & get the work done in a timely manner. Thank you so much!!
roben hauk
2 weeks ago
Employees are very helpful. We worked with Calob Campos and he was very helpful and thorough.
April Moya
3 weeks ago
Very friendly. Did a wonderful job
Roy Rocha
3 weeks ago
Kamal was on time and very respectful, put on shoe booties prior to walking through the house, asked some questions and went right to work, did his entire investigation and got our system back up and working! Thanks sir! And great job 👍
william hohman
3 weeks ago
Ian Faler did an excellent job of replacing my AC unit.
Ann Badgett
3 weeks ago
We want to commend the service we received yesterday from our AC technician, Garrett Avecilla. Garrett was professional, personable and very patient while answering our questions. He is definitely an asset to WireNut.
Nora Johnson
3 weeks ago
Brady did a great job explaining issues I have on AC and wiring I was very pleased with expertise and his manner
Janet Freniere
3 weeks ago
Brian was wonderful and very thorough. Great personality! He explained everything to me when he finished. Hopefully I'll get to work with him again in the future.
Bill and Michelle Doyle
3 weeks ago
Kamal was very professional and exceedingly knowledgeable in the servicing of our AC unit. He was pleasantly affable and efficient. He is a great asset to your company. He can come back anytime if any additional service is needed on our AC unit.
Louise Berger
3 weeks ago
Jared Hanes was very knowledgeable & professional and let me know what he was checking & the results. Thank you, Jared.
Steve
3 weeks ago
Michael Gonzales was very professional and polite. Worked very well. Replaced the fan motor to our central air and the coils plush had to clean the second or lower coils. Kept their working area clean and organized. When they left they cleaned up the whole area
Edward Landfair
3 weeks ago
I had my annual A/C maintenance and inspection done by WireNut technician Brady Ross. He was very experienced, professional and friendly. After a thorough inspection he briefed me on the condition of the equipment and explained any concerns he had. He was a pleasure to work with.
Kathleen Lewis
3 weeks ago
Scott was quick, efficient, friendly, and loved on my dog! All around great service.
sherell morningstar
3 weeks ago
Explained the difference in price for things I was interested in.
Diva Greenard
3 weeks ago
Franco was amazing, has lots of knowledge and very kind. I really appreciate all of the help and listening to my concerns on my AC. Thanks for getting me in same day!!
Clyde Mock
3 weeks ago
I was very satisfied with the service I received from Dominic Holien. He hooked up the electrical supply to the new HVAC system. He pointed out that the breaker in the electrical box had a 30 amp breaker and the compressor also requires a 30 amp system. He installed a new lockout box for the compressor and rewired the new system. Thanks for a job well done, the system is working great.
Doug Osborn
3 weeks ago
Great service, price and friendly technician.
Paula Hickerson
3 weeks ago
I recently had my heating and AC systems tuned up by HVAC Tech, Garrett Avecilla who is with Wirenut. He was really great! He answered all my questions and explained what he was doing, as he moved from one item to another. He was very personable, easy to talk to in addition to hard working. My neighbor was visiting and he was also impressed. Wirenut was there for me again.

    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.