DOE Proposes Rescission of Conservation Standards for Several Covered Products

On May 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (DOE) published several notices of proposed rules (NPRM) that, if adopted, will rescind conservation standards for numerous covered products. The covered products and a brief description of each NPRM are set forth below.

1. Automatic Commercial Ice Makers – DOE is proposing to rescind the amended water use standards for automatic commercial ice makers (ACIMs). This will return the water use standards for ACIMs to the statutory baseline. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
2. Battery Chargers – DOE is proposing to rescind the efficiency standards for battery chargers. This will effectively remove battery charges from the Energy Conservation Program. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
3. Commercial Clothes Washers – DOE is proposing to repeal the amended water conservation standards for commercial clothes washers. This will return the standards for commercial clothes washers to the statutory baseline. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
4. Commercial Prerinse Spray Valves – DOE is proposing to rescind the amended water use standards for commercial prerinse spray valves (CPSVs). This proposal will return the water use standards for CPSVs to the statutory baseline. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
5. Compact Residential Clothes Washers – DOE is proposing to rescind the efficiency standards for compact residential clothes washers. If adopted, this will eliminate the efficiency standards for compact residential clothes washers completely, leaving the standards for standard size residential clothes washers. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
6. Conventional Cooking Tops – DOE is proposing to rescind the amended design requirements for conventional cooking tops. This will return the design requirements for conventional cooking tops to the standards for kitchen ranges and ovens set by Congress. Gas kitchen ranges and ovens having an electrical supply cord shall not be equipped with a constant burning pilot for products manufactured on or after January 1, 1990. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
7. Conventional Ovens – DOE is proposing to rescind the amended design requirements for conventional ovens. This will return the design requirements for conventional ovens to the standards for kitchen ranges and ovens set by Congress. Gas kitchen ranges and ovens having an electrical supply cord shall not be equipped with a constant burning pilot for products manufactured on or after January 1, 1990. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
8. Dehumidifiers – DOE is proposing to rescind the amended energy conservation standards for all dehumidifiers (excluding whole-home dehumidifiers), which constitute a distinct class of dehumidifier for which energy conservation standards are not statutorily prescribed. This will return the energy conservation standards for dehumidifiers manufactured on or after October 1, 2012, to 1.35 liters/kWh for dehumidifiers with a capacity of up to 35.00 pints/day; 1.50 liters/kWh for dehumidifiers with a capacity of 35.01-45.00 pints/day; 1.60 liters/kWh for dehumidifiers with a capacity of 45.01-54.00 pints/day; 1.70 liters/kWh for dehumidifiers with a capacity of 54.01-75.00 pints/day; and 2.5 liters/kWh for dehumidifiers with a capacity of greater than 75.00 pints/day. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
9. External Power Supplies – DOE is proposing to rescind the current efficiency standards for consumer external power supplies. This will return the standards to those set by Congress in 2007. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
10. Faucets – DOE is proposing to rescind the amended water use standards for faucets. If finalized, this will reset existing water use requirements for faucets to the statutory standard. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
11. Microwave Ovens – DOE is proposing to rescind the energy conservation standards for microwave ovens. This will eliminate the efficiency requirements for microwave ovens. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
12. Residential Clothes Washers – DOE is proposing to rescind the amended water use standards for residential clothes washers. If finalized, this will return the water use requirement for clothes washers to the statutory water factor of not more than 9.5. Read the NPRM and submit comments.
13. Residential Dishwashers – DOE is proposing to rescind the amended water use standards for residential dishwashers. This will return the water use requirement for a standard size dishwasher to the statutory standard of 6.5 gallons per cycle and for a compact size dishwasher to the statutory standard of 4.5 gallons per cycle. Read the NPRM and submit comments.

DOE initially concludes that these proposed rules will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. DOE is requesting comments on any reason to rescind or not rescind these regulations. Additionally, small entities are encouraged to provide detailed information on any direct impact to their business, whether negative or positive, and whether there are any regulatory alternatives that would minimize the impact on small entities.

CONTACT:

Shanerika Flemings

EMAIL:

shanerika.flemings@sba.gov

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