The Energy Agency said Monday it was preparing to roll back energy and water conservation standards for a long list of electrical and gas appliances, covering 47 regulations that it said would “increase costs and reduce quality of life for Americans.”
The move follows an executive order from President Trump last week, which directs the energy sector to “eliminate limiting water pressure and efficiency rules that make household goods more effective and expensive.”
But energy efficiency experts and climate advocates said the energy sector's move would increase the cost of operating household appliances such as dehumidifiers and portable air conditioners, as well as household appliances such as air compressors used in the industry.
“If this attack on consumers is successful, President Trump will dramatically increase family costs as manufacturers dump energy and water-sucking products into the market,” said Andrew Delaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a coalition of environmental and consumer groups, utilities and government agencies.
Delaski also said the effort violated anti-backslide provisions in fundamental law decades ago.
“It's patently illegal, so please hold your horse,” he said in a statement.
Like many other countries, the US has been adopting the standard for decades that govern how much energy or water appliances, including light bulbs, dishwashers, water heaters and washing machines.
With government scientists' own accounting, the efficiency standard saved the average American household about $576 in water and gas bills in 2024, reducing the country's annual energy consumption by 6.5% and public water use by 12%. Thanks to some of these measures, the total amount of energy and water used by American households is not growing as fast as the population.
However, the Trump administration has organized standards as an example of government overreach. Trump has also developed the habit of complaining about shower heads in weak water pressure or toilets that are not properly flushed, and has denounced the efficiency standards for those issues. Conservative groups also argue that efficiency standards undermine the performance of appliances like dishwashers.
The list of energy sector appliance regulations at Target includes air cleaners, battery chargers, compressors, cooking tops, dehumidifiers, external power sources, microwaves, dishwashers and faucets.
Removed standards will “cut more than 125,000 words from federal regulations norms,” the department said. Still, rolling back standards requires a new rule creation process that can take more than a few months. Additionally, rollbacks can face legal challenges.
The department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Meanwhile, the Environmental Protection Agency plans to eliminate Energy Star, a general energy efficiency certification for dishwashers, refrigerators, dryers and other appliances.
In the past, manufacturers have supported government efficiency standards, but now they are trying to capitalize on Trump's willingness to deregulate.
The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, which represents 150 manufacturers in 95% of household appliances sold in the United States, said it still rates Monday's announcement.
However, Jill A. Nottini, a spokesman for the association, noted a statement the association said it “helped the association achieve decades of successful improvements in hand-efficiency.” The association added, “With most appliances that operate near peak efficiency, there is unlikely to be any additional meaningful savings in some products.”
The energy sector plans to eliminate several clean energy and climate change programs in addition to eliminating efficiency. It cancels reporting requirements for voluntary programs that allow businesses to report greenhouse gas emissions and terminates programs that provide payments for electricity produced with renewable electricity.
The Energy sector is also removing what is called “unscientific” diversity, equity and inclusive requirements for grant recipients. Specifically, it proposes abolishing regulations to ensure subsidies don't discriminate based on gender, race, or age.
Some proposals seem to have little to do with the scope of the department. For example, one of the proposed abolitions is due to the “termination requirements for one sex member that can be tried for sports teams of the opposite sex.”
