Department of Energy eases off efficiency standards that would have banned half of gas stoves

The Department of Energy released its final rules regarding efficiency standards for home cooking appliances, including gas stoves.

The original standards would have, according to a DOE analysis, banned approximately half of the gas stoves on the market. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) disputed the DOE’s analysis, arguing it would have been a far higher portion of stoves impacted.

“Clearly, the Department of Energy’s intentions are to eliminate gas products from the market. And they should just say that instead of releasing a deceptive and flawed analysis to justify their proposal,” Jill Notini, spokesperson for AHAM, told The Epoch Times in February.

The DOE and home appliance manufacturers reached a joint agreement on proposed standards in September, which were less stringent. The final rules followed that agreement.

“This standard is a win for consumers and energy savings. Manufacturers will have the flexibility they need to continue offering the features and performance that consumers value in gas and electric cooking products,” Kelly Mariotti, AHAM president and CEO, said in a statement.

According to the final rules, only about 3% of gas stoves in the U.S. market will be impacted.