NAHB Commends Resolution to Block Biden’s Gas Water Heater Ban
NAHB strongly supports congressional resolutions introduced in both chambers of Congress that seek to block the Biden administration’s recent attempt to ban natural gas water heaters.
The Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution of disapproval regarding the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Final Rule establishing Standards for Gas-Fired Instantaneous Water Heaters was introduced in the House by Rep. Gary Palmer (R-Ala.) and in the Senate by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).
“The nation’s home builders applaud Rep. Palmer and Sen. Cruz for introducing this resolution,” said NAHB Chairman Carl Harris. “As the primary energy source for millions of American homes, natural gas plays a critical role in ensuring affordable and reliable energy. This rule’s impact on the water heater market could set a dangerous precedent for further restrictions on natural gas appliances, ultimately making it harder for home owners to maintain affordable living standards.”
The new DOE standards will have a significant impact on home owners and home builders, raising costs and creating unnecessary challenges. NAHB believes the push for a shift to more expensive condensing gas water heaters presents substantial hurdles for remodeling and replacement projects, especially in older homes. Furthermore, NAHB is concerned that this rule is part of a broader agenda to phase out natural gas appliances, ultimately limiting consumer choice and driving up utility costs.
NAHB is urging Congress to approve the resolution of disapproval to prevent the harmful effects of this rule on home owners and the broader housing industry. The DOE should focus on promoting energy efficiency without unnecessarily driving up costs and limiting consumer choice.
The House resolution is cosponsored by Reps. Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), Julia Letlow (R-La.), Mike Collins (R-Ga.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.), Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), Russ Fulcher (R-Idaho), Jack Bergman (R-Mich.), Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas), Michelle Fischbach (R-Minn.), Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.) and Jim Baird (R-Ind.).
Latest from NAHBNow
Safety
Oct 16, 2026
The Importance of Safety Guardrails on a Home Building Site
Join NAHB and its official safety sponsor, Builders Mutual, as we celebrate the seventh annual Guardrail Safety Week, Oct. 19-23, and be part of the difference proper guardrail use makes in protecting workers and saving lives.
Material Costs
Oct 16, 2026
U.S. Cuts Duties on Canadian Lumber
Following its annual review, the U.S. Department of Commerce lowered antidumping and countervailing duties on Canadian softwood lumber imports from about 35.16% to 24.75%.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 16, 2026
Single-Family Permitting Declines Through August
Single-family permitting activity continued to soften through the first eight months of 2026, while multifamily permitting remained stronger compared with the same period last year.
Economics
Oct 16, 2026
Research Highlights the Broad Benefits of Homeownership
A rich, peer-reviewed academic literature finds that homeownership produces benefits that extend well beyond house-price appreciation.
Economics
Oct 15, 2026
Building Material Price Inflation Nears Four Year High
The Producer Price Index for final demand was up 1.3% in September, after rising 0.5% in August. Compared to a year ago, final demand prices were up 6.3%.