U.S. Department of Energy proposed new appliance efficiency standards for refrigerators and washing machines.
The new energy-efficiency standards are intended to help reduce household energy costs and pollution, according to a Feb. 10 news release.
"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," Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm said in the news release. "Over the last forty 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 standards are expected to save consumers about $3.5 billion per year on energy and water bills, as part of President Joe Biden's administration's efforts to deliver savings through appliance efficiency, as directed by Congress. The standards have not been updated in more than 10 years.
Refrigerators and washing machines account for about 5% of annual residential energy use and 8% of residential electricity use in the U.S., according to the news release.
If adopted, the new rules are expected to come into effect in 2027 and save consumers more than $60 billion spanning three decades, an estimated household savings of $425 on utility bills over the average life of the appliance, the release reported.
