DOE Proposes New Rules On Ceiling Fans
The Biden administration’s ongoing mission to make the United States more energy efficient is continuing with a proposed rule by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that would impose energy efficiency standards on ceiling fans.
The proposed rule, unveiled in June, will require manufacturers to make their ceiling fans more energy efficient, with projected savings of up to $39.84 over the lifespan of the fan. Around 85 million American households are estimated to use at least one ceiling fan, with a quarter using four or more.
The agency estimates that with the new standards, consumers using a standard fan could save up to 9 cents per month in utility costs, or $10.80 over the course of one decade. This amount, however, is far smaller than the $86.6 million manufacturers would have to spend each year to comply with rules.
Republicans from the House Committee on Small Business have criticized the proposed rule, saying it could put 10% to 30% of small business ceiling fan manufacturers out of business, while limiting consumer choice and driving up appliance prices.
“It is important for agencies to examine small businesses’ interests—which make up 99.9 percent of all businesses in the United States—when passing any new rule,” the letter sent to the DOE said.
Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-Okla.) criticized the proposed regulations, saying they will limit the options of the American people to stay cool in their own homes.
“I strongly oppose this proposed rule and urge you to withdraw it entirely,” she wrote.
The ceiling fan regulations are part of the Biden administration’s pro-climate policy push. Other proposed rules by the DOE include restrictions on gas stoves, water heaters, lamps, cooking products, and portable gas generators.
Republicans have also introduced the “Save Our Gas Stoves Act” to preemptively block any proposed rules by the Biden administration to ban or heavily restrict gas ovens sold in the country, which was passed by the House in June.
The DOE has defended its proposed energy efficiency rules, stating that “these proposed standards, which are required by Congress, wouldn’t take effect until 2028,” and that they “give Americans more energy efficient options to choose from, and would save hardworking taxpayers up to $369 million per year, while substantially reducing harmful air pollution.”
With the August 1st ban on incandescent light bulbs already in effect, it appears the Biden administration will not be slowing down on its mission to make the United States more energy efficient. Whether or not these proposed rules will actually achieve their proposed goals is yet to be seen.