The Department of Energy has announced new energy requirements for water heaters sold in stores, set to take effect in 2029. These new standards will more than double the efficiency of electric storage water heaters compared to current models, with the goal of saving Americans $124 billion on energy bills and reducing 332 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions.
According to the Energy Department, half of the newly manufactured electric storage water heaters will utilize heat pump technology, a significant increase from the current 3%. Experts predict that these new water heaters will use about half as much energy as the tanks available today.
U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the importance of these new rules in putting American consumers first, stating that outdated energy efficiency standards have led to higher utility bills for families. The Biden administration has been proactive in implementing new energy standards, with the Department of Energy also recently announcing changes to gas stove regulations.
The proposed changes to gas stove regulations sparked controversy in Congress, with Republicans introducing legislation to stop new appliance standards. However, advocates for the new standards argue that technology has advanced significantly, and the current rules are outdated. Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, highlighted the cost savings and energy efficiency benefits of the new rules, estimating that the average family could save $170 a year in energy costs.
Overall, these new energy requirements for water heaters and other appliances are part of a broader effort to promote energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions in the United States.