2023 kicked off with federal regulators targeting gas stoves, but since then we’ve seen many other proposals follow. washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher, ceiling fan, Water heater, others. All of this is part of a Biden administration prioritizing climate change issues over consumer interests. Each product carries the risk of high appliance prices, limited choice, and poor performance. And they’ve cumulatively become a major headache for homeowners, and will get even worse in the years to come.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) proposed new efficiency regulations for dishwashers could be the worst regulations. This is because dishwashers are already heavily overregulated by the Department of Energy. Four rounds of tighter energy and water limits have increased the time to wash a large batch of dishes from about an hour on older models to more than two hours on federally compliant models. Increased. Even the DOE acknowledged that past regulations caused this problem. In other words, “[t]Manufacturers typically extend cycle times to compensate for the negative impact on cleaning performance associated with lower water usage and temperature. ” The detergency is also reduced. And now the authorities are trying to tighten the screws again. (Related: Suzanne Downing: Biden’s Climate Change Fantasies Infiltrate Key Government Departments)
By the way, DOE estimates that its proposed rule will save dishwasher owners $1.12 a year on utility bills. But if it makes them feel any better, officials say the measures also help address the “need to tackle the global climate crisis.”
DOE’s Proposed water heater rule,like stove and in 2022 Furnace This proposal stands out as being particularly tough on consumer choice. The reason is that these appliances come in both natural gas and electric versions, but climate change activists in the administration detest natural gas as a fossil fuel and use these regulations to shift the market to electricity. It’s because you’re trying to deviate. This is a highly anti-consumer practice, especially given that the DOE estimates the cost of natural gas. Less than 1/3 of power Based on per unit energy. Nevertheless, inspired by climate change, Homeowners move away from natural gas The plan is progressing smoothly, and the water heater proposal is part of it. (Related: Betsy McCawgy: Democrats’ ‘net-zero’ fantasies are a piece of cake)
Air conditioning regulations deserve an infamous mention, not only because they are subject to the DOE, but also to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). One and two regulations by these government agencies are impacting both the cost of repairing existing central air conditioning systems and the price of new units.Things could get even worse next summer when stricter quotas take effect Learn about the refrigerants needed to maintain most existing home air conditioners. The reason these refrigerants are so expensive to crack down on is that they have been accused of contributing to climate change.
Keep in mind that none of these restrictions are useful to consumers. People who want to spend extra money on a super efficient dishwasher but don’t mind how long it takes to get the job done are always free to choose, with or without new regulations. Similarly, homeowners who truly believe that replacing their natural gas water heaters with electric water heaters can help save the planet don’t have to wait for the government to impose new restrictions. The only thing these regulations do is force everyone to make purported climate-friendly choices, whether they like it or not. Of course, most people don’t.
Biden’s home appliance policy is not only an attack on homeowners, it’s an attack on our freedom.
Ben Lieberman is a Senior Fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute in Washington, DC.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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