The Trump administration is taking steps to relax energy efficiency standards for various household appliances and fixtures, reversing environmental regulations established by former President Joe Biden. Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced on Friday that the Department of Energy will delay the enforcement of seven mandates concerning home appliances from the Biden era, framing this decision as a means to reduce costs and enhance consumer options. Concurrently, the Environmental Protection Agency, led by Administrator Lee Zeldin, is also revising federal water standards for kitchen faucets and other household items.
The actions will defer efficiency standards for central air conditioners, washers and dryers, light bulbs, walk-in coolers and freezers, gas instantaneous water heaters, commercial refrigeration equipment, and air compressors, as stated by Wright. Additionally, the Department of Energy is establishing a new energy efficiency category for natural gas tankless water heaters, exempting them from Biden-era regulations. Earlier on Friday, Trump also advocated for the relaxation of water efficiency standards for household appliances like dishwashers and sinks, stating, “We’re going to get rid of those restrictions.” He expressed frustration over low water flow in fixtures, which he believes hampers daily activities.
Trump has long criticized environmental standards, particularly those related to low-flow shower heads and toilets, claiming they lead to inefficient performance and inconvenience for consumers. He and his supporters argue that these restrictions result in products that do not meet American expectations and limit consumer choices. Wright emphasized that “the people, not the government, should be choosing the home appliances and products they want at prices they can afford.”
Environmental advocates who supported the previous regulations argue that they would have saved consumers billions in energy costs and significantly reduced carbon dioxide emissions. In a recent social media post, Trump instructed Lee Zeldin to revert to his previous environmental orders concerning sinks, showers, toilets, washing machines, and dishwashers, as well as to restore sensible standards for light bulbs. Trump is launching a comprehensive effort to dismantle federal regulations during his second term, including many of Biden’s environmental initiatives. On Monday, he signed an executive order aimed at reversing Biden’s plan to phase out plastic straws used by the federal government.
