On December 14, APGA submitted comments in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) ENERGY STAR Clothes Dryer Version 2.0 Specification Discussion Guide. APGA jointly submitted these comments with the American Gas Association (AGA) and National Propane Gas Association (NPGA).
ENERGY STAR’s appliance labeling program is a voluntary program in which manufacturers can choose to have their appliances tested according to Department of Energy (DOE) appliance test procedures. This allows the highest efficiency products to qualify for the ENERGY STAR label, which helps consumers easily identify top performing appliances on the market.
Through the joint comments, APGA urged EPA to ensure that natural gas clothes dryers remain in the ENERGY STAR program. While the discussion guide focused on electric clothes dryers, APGA and the other gas trade associations felt it was important to weigh in showing support for efficient gas counterparts to continue to be included in the program. Furthermore, APGA also joined AGA and NPGA in encouraging EPA to adopt a higher efficiency level for gas dryers to qualify for the ENERGY STAR label, as it aligns with an efficiency standard that is likely soon to be set by DOE and will help encourage early adoption of these efficient gas appliances.
In the past, EPA proposed to remove its ENERGY STAR label from all natural gas boilers and furnaces. Also, in 2021, EPA released its final recognition criteria for its 2022 Most Efficient appliances, which completely precluded gas-fired appliances from qualifying for the designation and limited qualifying gas water heaters to condensing only, with plans to also sunset the specification in the near future. These are just some examples of EPA using the program to further what are seen as pro-electrification policies.
Some APGA members’ appliance rebate programs are dependent on the ENERGY STAR® designation, as are many other rebate programs or tax incentives offered by state and federal governments or other organizations. Without the ENERGY STAR® label easily identifying high efficiency appliances and because those appliances would no longer qualify for certain rebates or other incentives, many consumers will likely buy more affordable alternatives that are likely to not be as efficient – a downside for both the consumers’ long term energy costs and the environment. APGA has remained actively engaged with the agency and on the Hill, emphasizing the negative impacts to efficiency and innovation that EPA’s misguided decisions may lead to.
For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-802-0493 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org.