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
Sponsored Content
Jan 30, 2026
What 700+ Real Estate Pros Say About Marketing in 2026 and Where Builders Are Losing GroundHeading into 2026, businesses across real estate are planning for growth — but with caution. Results from a recent survey point to a clear shift: while marketing investment is holding strong, the biggest opportunity – and risk – now sits in responsiveness and follow-up.
Land Development
Jan 30, 2026
How Can Density and Varying Housing Types Influence Local Tax Bases?Developed in partnership with Urban3, NAHB’s new Value of Land Use Efficiency video and infographic resource takes a data-driven look at how a wide range of residential development types contribute to local tax bases relative to the public services they require.
Latest Economic News
Economics
Jan 30, 2026
Bathroom Remodeling Is Most Common Project in 2025Every quarter, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) conducts a survey of professional remodelers. The first part of the survey collects the information required to produce the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI).
Economics
Jan 29, 2026
Saving Rate Falls to 3.5% in NovemberPersonal income rose 0.3% in November 2025, following a 0.1% increase in October, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Gains were largely driven by higher wages and dividend income. However, income growth has cooled noticeably from peaking at a monthly increase of 1.1% in July 2022 to 0.3% now.
Economics
Jan 28, 2026
Holding Pattern for the FedThe Fed paused its easing cycle at the conclusion of the January meeting of the Federal Open Market Committee, the central bank’s monetary policy body. The Fed held the short-term federal funds rate at a top rate of 3.75%, the level set in December. This marked the first policy pause since the Fed resumed easing in September of last year.