The Biden administration has proposed a number of regulations on appliances, some of which critics fear would restrict consumer power. This week, the Department of Energy (DOE) revealed a plan to crack down on household hot water heaters.
The most recent proposed rule would impose stricter requirements on water heaters, mandating that “the most common-sized electric hot water heaters to achieve enhanced efficiency with heat pump technology in addition to gas-fired instantaneous hot water heaters to achieve efficiency gains by means of condensing technology,” according to a press release from the agency.
According to DOE, these guidelines would result in yearly power bill savings for consumers of $11 billion and total national savings of $198 billion over a thirty-year period. According to the EPA, the measures would also result in a 500 million ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions throughout the same time frame.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm stated in a statement that “today’s actions — together with our industry stakeholders and partners — enhance outdated energy-efficiency standards for common home appliances, which is essential for reducing utility expenses for American families as well as decreasing harmful carbon emissions.”
“This proposal builds on the unprecedented actions that have already been taken by this Administration to help reduce energy costs for working families throughout the nation,” she continued. “It reinforces the trajectory of consumer savings which forms a vital pillar of Bidenomics.”
According to Fox News, the proposed rules would drive less expensive gas heaters out of the market while DOE stated that they would “accelerate implementation” of electric heat pump water heaters. Non-condensing gas-fired water heaters are less expensive, smaller, and need less installation, according to the news source.
The Biden administration ought to “Leave us alone,” said Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY), who said that the new rule is unlikely to truly financially help many Americans due to the expense of equipment.
The lawmaker said that “these products currently exist in the free market. The upfront expense of a heat-pump water heater needs to be weighed against potential long-term savings, say consumers. In many circumstances, the monthly savings never cover the equipment’s initial cost.”
If implemented according to the suggested schedule, the new regulation would take effect in 2029, according to DOE. The new criteria may still be changed when the government receives public feedback and performs a public hearing, according to The Washington Post.
According to DOE, the Biden administration finalized or put up 18 distinct efficiency criteria for a range of items. According to Fox News, they include air conditioners, gas stoves, washing machines, and refrigerators.
According to Ben Lieberman, a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, “it is just spreading to a broader range of appliances. It appears like practically everything in the home that plugs in or starts up is already subject to a rule or will be in the near future.”
“Because they limit consumer choice, these regulations are nearly always detrimental to consumers,” he continued.
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