As of January 1, 2026, House Bill 23-1161 is in effect statewide. But what does this mean for residents of The Springs? This law changes the standards for the furnaces and water heaters sold and installed here in El Paso County and beyond. Whether you’re in Pueblo, Colorado Springs, or up in Woodland Park, this law affects your next home upgrade.
At Peak Home Performance, we believe in “Guaranteed Comfort at an Affordable Price.” That starts with making sure you have the facts about HB23-1161. That’s so you can plan for your home’s future without any complications.
If you’re looking for just the facts on the Colorado HVAC law 2026, here is what you need to know right now:
HB23-1161 is a state law passed in 2023 to cut pollution from appliances, and it officially took effect on January 1st, 2026. It’s based around two specific types of equipment: gas-fired central furnaces (the fan-driven units that move warm air through your ducts) and gas water heaters. But remember, the bill is an emissions rule, not a ban on gas.
NOx is short for nitrogen oxides. They’re pollutants that release when natural gas combustion happens at high temperatures. NOx is one of the main ingredients in ground-level ozone and smog, and it’s a known trigger for asthma and other respiratory problems.
Ultra-low NOx furnaces and water heaters use a different, redesigned combustion process to cut down on emissions. The technology inside is different, but the results are the same.
Some things are changing, but some are staying the same. Here’s what homeowners can expect.
The main place the Colorado HVAC law 2026 shows up for homeowners is at replacement time. When an aging system finally gives out (or you decide to upgrade), the lineup of available equipment looks a little different than it did before. You’ll see ultra-low NOx gas furnaces, standard electric heat pumps, and dual-fuel heat pump setups.
If your current gas furnace or gas water heater is still running safely and reliably, the law has nothing to say about it. You’re not in trouble, you don’t need permits or paperwork, and there’s no deadline for swapping. Peak’s technicians can keep your existing equipment running for as long as it’s safe to do so. When it’s time for an ultra-low NOx replacement, we’ll help with that too. If your furnace already failed and you’re scrambling for answers, here’s our guide on what to do if you missed Colorado’s 2026 furnace deadline.
Adjusting to new regulations, especially with something like HVAC upgrades, isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. But Peak Home Performance helps homeowners in Colorado Springs transition with ease. From Castle Rock to Pueblo, we provide honest pricing and expert diagnoses. We’ll walk you through any repairs and replacements; we want you to have the most efficient and compliant options on the market.
Call us or schedule a system check online to get started, where we can put together a 2026-ready plan and talk about financing, rebates, and more.
Here’s what we hear from our customers about Colorado’s HVAC Law, HB23-1161.
No, not at all. HB23-1161 tightens standards for new gas furnaces and water heaters, but doesn’t take them off the market. Every major manufacturer will build ultra-low NOx versions of their equipment. The Peak Home Performance crew installs them across our Colorado service area.
You’ll get a compliant replacement installed quickly. Peak Home Performance offers emergency HVAC services throughout the Pikes Peak Region, so a breakdown won’t leave you stuck in the cold.
No. HB23-1161 is specific to central gas furnaces and gas water heaters. Everything else, like cooking appliances, clothes dryers, and decorative fireplaces, doesn’t apply.
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