DOE vows its new energy efficiency standards will save citizens billions on utilities
The Department of Energy announced the imposition of four energy-based actions that it says will save citizens billions of dollars on utilities.
An announcement from the agency touted the decisions as having been made upon the recommendation of various stakeholders. The saving of money will come through new standards for commercial unitary air conditioners, heat pumps, circulator pumps, and other refrigeration products.
“Congress requires DOE to issue energy efficiency standards for a range of appliances and we have successfully met this mandate through robust collaboration between industry, manufacturers, and consumer groups,” Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said.
“As a result of DOE’s commitment to quickly update and strengthen appliance standards American households will see increased savings on their utility bills—keeping more money in the pockets of working families while reducing our nation’s carbon footprint,” she added.
The DOE claimed that the new standards, combined with other energy efficiency projects, will save “$1 trillion in consumer savings over 30 years and save the average family at least $100 a year through lower utility bills.”
It also claimed that the projects will save 2.5 billion metric tons in carbon emissions, the equivalent of “18 million gas-powered cars, 22 coal-fired power plants, or 10.5 million homes over 30 years.”
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The Biden administration’s energy efficiency efforts have proven to be controversial. Several involved industries have complained that certain figures are impossible to meet in the time frame given.
Earlier this month, the Biden administration came to a compromise with transformer producers, which persuaded the administration to lower the percentage of special amorphous steel required in transformer cores. Instead of the originally proposed 95%, transformer cores will now only have to be made up of 75% amorphous steel. Manufacturers will also have five years, rather than three, to comply.
