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APGA Concerned with Consumer Water Heater Appliance Efficiency Rulemaking

By Stuart Saulters posted 03-07-2024 10:28 AM

  
On February 23, APGA staff participated in a meeting with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to discuss the consumer water heater appliance efficiency rulemaking. A group was organized by associate member, Rinnai, to highlight concerns with the soon to be final regulation. In the fall of 2023, APGA submitted comments in response to the Department of Energy’s (DOE) notice of proposed rulemaking (NOPR) pertaining to energy conservation standards for consumer water heaters. Find more on this action here. 
 
In the meeting with OMB, the participants stressed that the proposed rule would not save energy and is not economically justified. As well, the NOPR could have widespread impacts, such as taking away a water heater option that is used widely because of its affordability. APGA, Rinnai, and others encouraged OMB to work with DOE to revise the rule and not set a condensing-only standard for certain instantaneous gas-fired water heaters, commonly referred to as tankless water heaters. As with similarly situated gas-fired appliances, APGA believes separate product classes ensure that non-condensing technology is still available so consumers can select the appliance that best fits their needs, budget, and home or business.
 
APGA will continue to work on this issue, as well as all appliance efficiency rulemakings for gas-fired appliances. Staff will inform members of any further actions, especially if there are opportunities for APGA member engagement. 
For questions on this article, please contact Stuart Saulters of APGA staff by phone at 202-544-1334 or by email at ssaulters@apga.org. 

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