Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards

Appliance and equipment standards set minimum energy and water efficiency requirements for residential and commercial products and appliances to help maintain performance and quality while reducing energy and/or water consumption. These standards are a critical tool used by states to reduce utility bill costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions over a product’s lifetime. Minimum efficiency standards ensure that all consumers receive the benefits of more efficient products and appliances, while also helping states reach their GHG reduction goals.

Under the recently passed Advanced Building Codes, Appliance and Equipment Efficiency Standards Act of 2022 , NYSERDA, in consultation with the Department of State, is required to adopt efficiency standards for products and appliances that reduce energy and/or water consumption.

NYSERDA will propose the definitions, standard requirements, and the test procedures for products and appliances that are not regulated by the U.S. Department of Energy. With a few exceptions, states are prevented from setting standards for products that are already regulated by the U.S. Department of Energy, which is referred to as federal preemption.  

The first batch of standards were adopted on December 28, 2022 and will take effect on June 26, 2023. Those standards are detailed in Current Standards.

Benefits to New Yorkers

Minimum efficiency standards are one of the most cost-effective strategies for reducing energy and water use, which is why it is a key strategy to helping New York achieve the aggressive GHG reduction goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) . By setting efficiency standards, New York State can reduce energy and water consumption, utility bill costs, GHG emissions, and other pollutants. Product and appliance standards help ensure poor quality, inefficient and wasteful products do not enter the supply chain and protects consumers from purchasing appliances that would drive up their utility costs.

Minimum efficiency standards ensure that all consumers receive the benefits of more efficient products and appliances, while also helping New York State meet its emission-reduction goals. Once effective, the first set of New York State standards are expected to save $264 million annually on consumer utility bills by 2035, $85 million of that will benefit low- to moderate-income households. Additionally, these standards are expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 807,000 metric tons and save more than 25 billion gallons in annual water savings by 2035. 

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Are you aware of a manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or leasing agency that needs compliance support? If so, email us at [email protected] or call 1-(866)-NYSERDA so that we can provide assistance.