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The Biden administration has targeted strict efficiency standards for household appliances as he set out his climate agenda over the past four years.
“Making common household appliances more efficient is one of the most effective ways to reduce energy costs and reduce harmful carbon emissions,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. which is the spearhead in pushing for various households Turn to use green energy options. said in a statement
However, energy experts and manufacturers have warned that the Biden administration’s regulations will result in more expensive household appliances that are much less efficient than current models.
“These regulations What these standards do is enforce unreasonable levels of performance,” said Ben Lieberman, senior researcher at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “and they affect product quality as well. We are already seeing this to some extent compared to standard washing machine costs.”
1. Washing machine
The Department of Energy (DOE) issued the final rule in February. It sets stricter energy standards for residential washing machines (RCW) such as washing machines and dryers.
The House is set to challenge BIDEN’s green energy standards for washing machines by voting on the bill. ‘Freedom of laundry’
President Joe Biden spoke at a Christmas dinner for everyone in the East Room of the White House. In Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, December 1, 10 Nov. 2024. (Samuel Corum/Sipa/Bloomberg)
Under such regulations Some less efficient washing machine and dryer models will be banned from sale, according to the DOE.
The department estimates that energy standards will collectively save American households $2.2 billion annually. At the same time reducing Nearly 71 million metric tons of “harmful carbon dioxide emissions” will be projected over the next three decades.
However, the Home Appliance Manufacturers Association argued that DOE regulations on washing machines “would have a disproportionate and adverse impact on low-income households” by eliminating inexpensive appliances. from the market
“Despite misleading claims to the contrary, But these proposals are intended to promote innovation and keep money in the pockets of Americans everywhere. without compromising the reliability and performance that consumers expect and rely on,” a Department of Energy spokesperson told Fox Digital News. “As evidenced in the department’s testing and analysis, The proposed standards will not reduce product performance or adversely affect cleaning ability or cycle times.”
2. Refrigerator/air conditioner
In 2023, EPA finalized a rule to accelerate the transition to advanced refrigeration and refrigeration technologies that do not use hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and proposed a second rule to address HFCs in products that contain HFCs. It is a common chemical in household appliances such as refrigeration. heater and air conditioning
The rule, set to take effect in 2025, aims to phase out the use of HFCs, achieving an 85% reduction by 2036.
But manufacturers report private predictions that the regulations will increase prices by as much as 20%, according to the Competitive Enterprise Institute.
Burned on a stove that uses natural gas. (Scott Olson)
3.Gas stove
In February 2023, DOE released a proposal to target gas stovetops. It is set to take effect in 2027 and affect 50% of current gas stoves.
Under the 2023 proposal, DOE would ban future sales of gas stoves that use more than 1,204 thousand kBtu per year.
Restaurant owner complains about rule banning gas grills
“Most restaurants in New York City use gas. It’s a common stove in high-volume kitchens,” Peter Petti, executive chef of Upper East Side restaurant Sojourn, told the New York Post. “Gas helps us be more efficient.”
After facing pushback from Republicans and consumer advocacy groups, the DOE issued the final regulations. This will affect 3% of gas stove models instead of the default 50%.
4. Light bulb
Biden administration doubles efficiency standards for light bulbs It requires manufacturers to raise the level for conventional light bulbs from 45 lumens per watt to more than 120 lumens per watt. This is an increase of nearly 170%. Only LED bulbs can meet the standards. Not a compact fluorescent lamp
DOE recommends that the regulations will reduce greenhouse gas pollution by reducing carbon dioxide by 70 million metric tons over the next three decades.
A shelf with incandescent light bulbs at the City Lights Light Bulb Store in San Francisco, California. (Justin Sullivan)
When it takes effect in 2028, the rule will remove most currently available LEDs from the market. And it raised the average price of the remaining straws from $2.98 to about $5.68, an increase of $2.70 per straw, according to Lieberman.
Results from the Residential Energy Use Survey indicate that less than half of households report using LED lights as their primary or exclusive light source.
5. Kiln
DOE enacts efficiency regulations to ban new non-condensing gas furnaces by 2028, requiring non-weatherable gas furnaces to have a fuel efficiency of 95% per year.
The American Gas Association, American Public Gas Association, National Propane Gas Association and manufacturer Thermo Products have filed suit against the DOE, claiming costs could increase for 30% of senior-only households, 26% of low-income households and 27% of small households Business consumers if such regulations are effective
A new Carrier natural gas furnace at a residence in Spanish Fork, Utah on Tuesday, Oct. 10, 19, 2021. (George Frey)
“Yesterday, the Biden administration finalized a rule that would ban natural gas stoves and other gas grills. Found in more than half of U.S. households. efficiently,” Richard Meyer, AGA vice president for energy markets, analysis and standards, told The National Desk in a statement. “In five years, around Christmas 2028, if you were to replace your gas furnace You may incur hundreds or thousands of dollars in additional costs to upgrade that equipment to comply with this rule.”
6. Ceiling fan
Biden administration revises energy conservation standards As a result, energy standards for ceiling fans have become more stringent.
According to a DOE analysis, the new rule will save households approximately $39 over the life of a new energy-efficient fan. Fox Business Previous report–
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The regulations faced backlash from the House Small Business Committee. It is claimed in a letter to the DOE secretary that it could put between 10% and 30% of small business ceiling fan manufacturers out of business.
Biden’s appliance regulations could soon be in jeopardy Because President-elect Donald Trump It is expected to overturn most of the current government’s climate agenda. When he takes office as president in 2025
Fox News’ Matteo Cina contributed to this report.
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