U.S. eyes tougher energy standards for big appliances

The Energy Department on Friday proposed tougher energy standards for household washing machines, refrigerators and freezers — rules aimed at reducing emissions while also saving consumers money.

The department said the new regulations, which have not been updated in over a decade, would save Americans about $3.5 billion a year on energy and water bills while reducing emissions of harmful greenhouse gases. Homeowners would save an average of $295 over the 14-year life of a new clothes washer and $130 over the life of a new refrigerator.

“With today’s proposals, we’re building on a decades-long effort with industry to ensure tomorrow’s appliances work more efficiently and save Americans money,” said Energy Secretary Jennifer M. Granholm. “Over the last 40 years, at the direction of

Congress, DOE has worked to promote innovation, improve consumers’ options, and raise efficiency standards for household appliances without sacrificing the reliability and performance that Americans have come to expect.”

The new appliance standards, which could come into effect as early as 2027, comes amid a national furor over possible federal regulation of gas stoves and their potential health impacts. Conservatives have sought to depict the Biden administration as waging a war on household appliances, but experts in energy efficiency say the standards proposed Friday are long overdue, and could produce big savings for consumers.

Under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, the Energy Department is required to conduct regular reviews of appliance efficiency standards. Although the department is not required to make the standards more stringent, it has usually chosen to tighten the standards.