Biden administration lowers estimate for consumer savings under gas stove energy efficiency rule

The Biden administration has revised its estimate for how much consumers will save under its gas stove energy efficiency rule, reducing it by 30%. The Department of Energy filed the revision as part of its proposed rulemaking to set new efficiency standards for consumer conventional cooking products, including gas stoves.

Originally, the Department of Energy estimated that the rule would save U.S. consumers up to $1.7 billion in costs and make half of the current U.S. stove models ineligible for purchase. However, the revised estimate now indicates consumer savings of only 9 cents per month, a significant reduction from the initial projection.

The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has criticized the proposed rule, stating that it imposes an “extremely stringent standard” that would lead to the loss of important features and access to many gas stove models on the market. AHAM argues that the savings achieved through the rule are insignificant, amounting to only “pennies” each month.

The Department of Energy attributes the decrease in estimated energy savings to the recognition that currently available cooking products are already more efficient than previously assumed.

The proposed efficiency regulation by the Department of Energy has faced opposition from congressional Republicans who argue that regulating kitchen appliances violates the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. Earlier this year, Republicans introduced the “Save Our Gas Stoves Act” to prevent the DOE from implementing any gas stove ban or restriction at the federal level.