US plans water heater standards, says they will save consumers $11 billion (updated)
21/07/2023 23:56
(Adds reaction by industry and by environmental and consumer
advocacy groups, paragraphs 6-7)
WASHINGTON, July 21 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of
Energy on Friday proposed energy efficiency standards on water
heaters it said would save consumers $11.4 billion on energy and
water bills annually.
The standards on residential water heater efficiency, which
are required by Congress, have not been updated in 13 years.
Water heating is responsible for roughly 13% of both annual
residential energy use and consumer utility costs, the DOE said.
The proposal would require the most common-sized electric
water heaters to achieve efficiency gains with heat pump
technology and gas-fired water heaters to achieve efficiency
gains through condensing technology.
The standards, to take effect in 2029 if finalized, are
expected to save nearly $200 billion and reduce more than 500
million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions over 30 years,
about equal to the combined annual emissions of 63 million
homes, or approximately 50% of homes in the United States, the
DOE said.
Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the proposal "builds
on the unprecedented actions already taken by this
administration to lower energy costs for working families."
A group including water heater maker Rheem, environmental
group Natural Resources Defense Council and efficiency and
consumer advocacy organizations issued a joint statement
welcoming the new standards.
Tankless water heater maker Rinnai 5947.T , however, said
the proposed standards for its products were "technologically
impossible" and would reduce consumer choice.
The administration of President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has
issued proposed or final efficiency standards for 18 product
categories so far this year.
Former President Donald Trump, a Republican, complained
about efficiency standards for shower heads, saying that they
interfered with the rinsing of his hair. His Energy Department
eased energy standards on such fixtures. The Biden
administration reversed the rule on shower heads in 2021.
(Reporting by Timothy Gardner in Washington and Nichola Groom
in Los Angeles
Editing by Alison Williams and Matthew Lewis)
((timothy.gardner@thomsonreuters.com; +1 202 380-8348 (Twitter
@timogard); Reuters Messaging:
timothy.gardner.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net))