May 20, 2023
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NMHC Again Provides Feedback on DOE Energy Efficiency Standards—This Time With Focus on Refrigerators and Clothes Washers
On April 28 and May 16, NMHC again filed comments with the DOE in response to their proposed rulemakings on different appliance and equipment standards. These submissions centered on standards as they relate to refrigerators and clothes washers.
What This Means: As reported within the April 3 update below, this latest comment submission is the last in a series of comments. Previous NMHC submissions have focused on efficiency standards for distribution transformers and cooking products.
Industry Impact: When creating efficiency standards, it is imperative that the DOE is aware of the impacts the proposed rules will have on housing affordability and supply. Renters in the U.S. face a critical housing shortage, exacerbated by a woeful lack of affordable housing; situations which are intensified when rulemaking is done without these considerations in mind.
NMHC's Viewpoint: New appliance efficiency standards should preserve product choice and ensure that appliances meet residents’ expectations of performance and affordability. Providing comment on these standards allows NMHC to educate policymakers on the effects these rules have on housing construction, redevelopment, maintenance and overall affordability and availability.
What's Next: While this series of DOE comment requests has closed out, we expect continued activity in this area as the Administration focuses on climate and energy priorities. NMHC will continue to monitor potential proposed rules for impacts on the multifamily housing sector.
Resource: Access the most recent comment letters on refrigerators and clothes washers here. In addition, check out the April 3 topic update below for information regarding our distribution transformer and cooking product comment letter submissions.