The U.S. Department of Energy recently finalized new energy efficiency standards for window air conditioners and portable air cleaners.
These standards are expected to reduce household energy costs and cut pollution, according to a March 23 news release.
“Today’s announcement builds on the historic actions President Biden took last year to strengthen outdated energy efficiency standards, which will help save on people’s energy bills and reduce our nation’s carbon footprint,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in the release. “DOE will continue to engage with our public and private sector partners to finalize additional proposals like today’s that lower household energy costs and deliver the safer, healthier communities that every American deserves.”
Officials expect the new standards to results in savings of about $1.5 billion per year for American families, along with the reduction of harmful carbon dioxide emissions by 106 million metric tons over 30 years — an amount estimated to be roughly the equivalent to the combined annual emissions of 13.4 million homes, the release reported.
The new rules are slated to go into effect next year for air cleaners and in 2026 for room air conditioners, according to the release. DOE officials said they expect the new rules to save consumers upwards of $25 billion over the ensuing 30 years of shipments.
Additionally, households using the compliant appliances are expected to save an average of $150 over the lifespan of the devices, the release said.
Over time, DOE rules have substantially increased the energy efficiency of room air conditioners while allowing manufacturers the flexibility needed to build on their innovation and offer more features to consumers, the release reported
The most common new room air conditioner uses 39% less energy than its 1990 counterpart, according to the release. Over that three-decade long span, DOE raised the efficiency standard for room air conditioners three times.
