DOE Suspends Energy Efficiency Mandates on Key Home Appliances
In a move supported by NAHB, the Department of Energy (DOE) has announced it will postpone the implementation of the latest round of restrictive energy efficiency mandates on key home energy appliances, including for gas powered instantaneous (tankless) water heaters.
The DOE press release noted that these actions “are a key step in undoing the previous administration’s burdensome policies that have driven up costs, reduced choice and diminished the quality of Americans’ home appliances.”
In addition to the tankless water heaters, the DOE has acted to postpone the new overreaching efficiency standards for the following home appliance rules:
- Central Air Conditioners
- Clothes Washers and Dryers
- General Service Lamps
- Walk-In Coolers and Freezers
- Commercial Refrigeration Equipment
- Air Compressors
Additionally, the DOE is creating a new energy efficiency category for natural gas tankless water heaters that would exempt these products from the Biden administration’s onerous efficiency rules and allow for fair standards that balance efficiency with availability of product features desired by consumers.
NAHB has been actively advocating against efforts to limit the availability and use of gas stoves, and will continue to support efforts to maintain a variety of home appliance options for consumers to help improve housing affordability.
On the congressional front, NAHB continues to work with lawmakers in both chambers to advance congressional resolutions introduced in the House and Senate that seek to block the Biden administration’s recent attempt to ban natural gas water heaters.
Latest from NAHBNow
Student Chapters | Workforce Development
May 13, 2026
Why High School Students are Excited to Enter the Construction TradesNAHB caught up with three rising high school stars pursuing careers in construction about how they got their interest, their favorite student chapter moments, and what they hope to accomplish throughout their careers.
Codes and Standards
May 12, 2026
Talk to Your Local Code Officials as They Vote on Building CodesLocal code officials this week began voting on proposed changes to building codes. NAHB is asking members to share home builder positions on proposed changes with code officials.
Latest Economic News
Economics
May 13, 2026
Residential Construction Input Prices Move Higher In AprilPrices rose across a host of goods and services used in residential construction. Rising energy prices were the primary driver, but transportation service prices also rose at their fastest pace since 2022. Meanwhile, building material prices, excluding energy, rose at their highest yearly rate in three years, up 3.7% from a year ago.
Economics
May 13, 2026
Delinquencies Holds Steady in First Quarter of 2026Consumer loan delinquency rates continued to normalize in the first quarter of 2026 as pandemic-related disruptions diminished and credit conditions moved closer to historical norms.
Economics
May 12, 2026
Inflation Outpaced Wage Growth in AprilInflation accelerated to a nearly three-year high in April, driven by continued increases in energy costs from the Iran war. Energy costs drove more than 40% of the monthly increase, with national gasoline prices soaring above $4.50 in early May for the first time since July 2022.