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
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%.
Legal
Oct 15, 2026
Supreme Court Leaves New York City’s SoHo/NoHo Arts Fee in Place
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to a New York City law that requires certain property owners to pay a substantial fee to convert their properties to unrestricted residential use. NAHB filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to review the case.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Oct 14, 2026
Labor Shortages a Growing Problem
Labor shortages in the home building industry are becoming more widespread, according to recent results from the NAHB/Well Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) survey.
Economics
Oct 14, 2026
Inflation Accelerated in September
Higher energy prices pushed inflation to a four-month high in September, keeping pressure on the Fed as inflation has remained above its 2% target for more than five years.
Economics
Oct 13, 2026
Existing Home Sales Increased in September
Existing home sales rose after three months of declines as improved inventory gave buyers more negotiating power. As buyers wait for rate relief, homes are sitting on the market longer and for-sale inventory reached the highest level in over a decade.