Appliance Standards

The Building Technologies Office of the U.S. Department of Energy develops test procedures and standards and enforces regulations to ensure that manufacturers produce products that are compliant with Federal Regulations through the Appliance and Equipment Standards Program. The program sets minimum energy conservation standards for appliances that are used by consumers each day, such as heating and cooling, refrigeration, cooking, clothes washing and drying, and lighting.

The Appliance and Equipment Standards Program’s 3-part Mission is to:

• Develop and amend energy conservation standards for appliances and equipment that achieve the maximum energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified.
• Develop and amend test procedures that are repeatable, reproducible, representative, and enforceable.
• Enforce its certification and compliance regulations to ensure ongoing consumer savings and manufacturer adherence to DOE requirements.

The Appliance and Equipment Standards Program has served as one of the nation’s most effective policies for improving consumer energy efficiency and cost savings. Now covering more than 65 products representing 90% of home energy use, Appliance and Equipment Standards Program’s standards implemented since 1987 have saved American consumers $63 billion on their energy bills in 2015 alone.

Since 2009, the program has issued 42 new or updated appliance standards across more than 45 products, which are projected to save consumers over $540 billion off their energy bills through 2030. The energy savings from these standards—43.8 quads —is more than the energy used by all U.S. buildings over one year.