DOE Adopts Energy Efficiency Agreement for Fridges, Freezers
On Friday, the Biden administration unveiled a conclusive regulation enforcing more rigorous energy efficiency standards for residential refrigerators, freezers, and refrigerator-freezers. The announcement includes assurances of both cost savings and environmental advantages.
According to Bloomberg Law, the new standards for those energy-guzzling consumer appliances, which haven’t been updated in over a decade, will save consumers $36.4 billion over 30 years of shipments, the Energy Department estimated in a press release seen in advance by Bloomberg Law. The department adopted a recommendation offered in September by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) and a group of environmental organizations and efficiency advocates.
“Refrigerator technology keeps improving, and today the standards are catching up to ensure every new model uses key energy-saving features,” said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, a party to the joint recommendation.
“It has been particularly encouraging to see the manufacturers embrace this continued significant progress,” deLaski added.
AHAM, the manufacturers’ association, applauded the rule in its own statement.