A report published last week estimates that new appliance efficiency standards from the Biden administration could save Maine businesses $9.5 million per year over the next two decades.
The Energy Department’s new standards could also save the average Maine household $147 per year on energy costs, according to the report.
The Biden administration has been updating energy standards over the past two years for new appliances for roughly two dozen products, like air conditioners, dryers, heat pumps, refrigerators, water heaters and others.
“These standards will mean that appliances waste less energy. That translates to lower energy bills for families in Maine," Joanna Mauer, deputy director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, told Maine Public.
People won’t be obligated to replace appliances, nor is there any sort of deadline to do so, she said.
“These standards apply to new products available for sale," said Mauer. "So, when you go into the store to buy a new appliance, you’re going to be ensured that every model available for sale at every price point incorporates reasonably up to date technology that will reduce your utility bills.”
The researchers calculated that the new standards will save the U.S. 50 billion gallons of water each year for the next two decades and prevent the emissions of thousands of tons of nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide, harmful air pollutants.