The Biden administration has made tightening efficiency standards for home appliances a goal as he builds it Climate agenda Over the past four years.
“Making common household appliances more efficient is one of the most effective ways to lower energy costs and cut harmful carbon emissions,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, who has led efforts to push households to adopt green energy alternatives, said in a statement.
but, Energy experts Manufacturers have warned that the Biden administration's regulations will lead to home appliances that are more expensive and far less efficient than current models.
“What these mandates do — what these standards do is impose a level of efficiency that doesn’t make sense,” said Ben Lieberman, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute. “It hurts the quality of the product. We've already seen this to some extent with cost standards for clothes washers.”
1. Washing machines
The Department of Energy (DOE) introduced a final rule in February imposing stricter energy standards for residential clothes washers (RCWs), like washers and clothes dryers.
President Joe Biden speaks at a “Christmas Dinner for All” in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. (Samuel Corum/Girls/Bloomberg)
Under the regulations, some models of washers and dryers will be less efficient It is forbidden to sell itAccording to the Department of Energy.
The department projected that the energy standards would collectively save American households $2.2 billion annually on utility bills while reducing nearly 71 million metric tons of “dangerous carbon dioxide emissions” over the next three decades.
However, the Home Appliance Manufacturers Association claimed that the DOE's washing machine regulations “will have a disproportionately negative impact on low-income households” by removing inexpensive appliances from the market.
“Despite misleading claims to the contrary, these proposals are intended only to encourage innovation and keep money in the pockets of Americans everywhere without sacrificing the reliability and performance that consumers expect and depend on,” a Department of Energy spokesperson told Fox. Digital news. “As evidenced by the Department's testing and analysis, the proposed standards will not reduce product performance or negatively impact cleaning ability or cycle time.”
2. Refrigerators and air conditioners
In 2023, EPA finalized a rule to accelerate the transition to more advanced refrigeration technologies that do not use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and proposed a second rule to manage HFCs in existing products. HFCs are common chemicals in home appliances, such as refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning units.
The rule, which is scheduled to take effect in 2025, aims to phase out HFCs to achieve an 85% reduction by 2036.
But manufacturers are said to have privately anticipated that the regulation would lead to price increases of up to 20%, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute.
Burn on a natural gas burning stove. (Scott Olson)
3. Gas stoves
In February 2023, the Department of Energy issued a proposal to target gas stoves, which was scheduled to take effect in 2027 and would affect 50% of current gas stove models.
Under the 2023 proposal, the Energy Department would have banned the future sale of gas stoves that consume more than 1,204 KPH per year.
Restaurant owners have expressed anger over potential regulations banning gas stoves.
“The majority of New York City restaurants use gas. It's the most common burner in a large-scale kitchen,” Peter Beattie, executive chef at Upper East Side restaurant Sojourn, told the New York Post. “Gas allows us to do our work efficiently.”
After facing retreat From Republicans and consumer advocacy groups, the Department of Energy has issued its final regulations, which will affect 3% of gas stove models, instead of the initial 50%.
4. Light bulbs
The Biden administration has doubled light bulb efficiency standards, requiring manufacturers to raise levels of common light bulbs from 45 lumens per watt to more than 120 lumens per watt, an increase of nearly 170%. Only LED lamps will be able to comply with the standards, not compact fluorescent lamps.
The Department of Energy proposed that the regulations would reduce greenhouse gas pollution by cutting 70 million metric tons of carbon dioxide over the next three decades.
A shelf full of incandescent bulbs at City Lights Light Bulb Store in San Francisco, California. (Justin Sullivan)
When the rule goes into effect in 2028, it will take most currently available LED bulbs off the market and increase the average price of the remaining bulbs from $2.98 to an estimated $5.68, an increase of $2.70 per bulb, according to Lieberman.
Residential energy consumption survey results indicate that less than half of households reported using LEDs as their primary or exclusive lighting source.
5. Ovens
Implemented by the Department of Energy Efficiency regulations Ban new non-condensing gas furnaces by 2028, by requiring that non-weathered gas furnaces achieve 95% annual fuel efficiency.
The American Gas Association, the American General Gas Association, the National Propane Gas Association and a manufacturer of thermal products have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Energy, claiming that costs could increase for the 30% of households that include only seniors, 26% of low-income households and 27 % of small families. Business consumers if the regulation comes into effect.
A new Carrier natural gas furnace at a residential home in Spanish Fork, Utah, on Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021. (George Fry)
“Yesterday, the Biden administration finalized a rule that will effectively ban natural gas and other gas furnaces found in more than half of American households,” said Richard Meier, AGA vice president of energy markets, analysis and standards. statement. “In five years, by Christmas 2028, if you have to replace your gas furnace, you could incur hundreds if not thousands of dollars in additional costs to upgrade that equipment to comply with this rule.”
6. Ceiling fans
The Biden administration has revised its energy conservation standards, putting more stringent energy standards for ceiling fans into effect.
According to an analysis by the Department of Energy, the new rules would save households about $39 over the life of the new energy-efficient fan, Fox Business. I mentioned previously.
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The regulation faced backlash from the House Small Business Committee, which claimed in a letter to the DOE secretary that it could put 10% to 30% of small ceiling fan manufacturers out of business.
Biden's device regulations could soon be in jeopardy President-elect Donald Trump He is expected to upend much of the current administration's climate agenda when he assumes the presidency in 2025.
Fox News' Matteo Sena contributed to this report.
