Appliance and Equipment Standards Result in Large Energy, Economic, and Environmental Benefits
The Building Technologies Program (BTP) implements minimum energy conservation standards for more than 50 categories of appliances and equipment. As a result of these standards, energy users saved about $40 billion on their utility bills in 2010. Since 2009, 16 new or updated standards have been issued, which will help increase annual savings by more than 50 percent over the coming years. By 2030, cumulative operating cost savings from all standards will reach $1.6 trillion, with a reduction of 6.5 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas emissions of 1.4 billion automobiles. Products covered by standards represent about 90% of home energy use, 60% of commercial building use, and 29% of industrial energy use.
The Appliance and Equipment Standards Program
- Provides information on its history and impacts, statutory authorities, regulatory processes, plans and schedules, and program reports and publications.
- Issues regulations for appliance and equipment standards and test procedures, and for implementation, certification, and enforcement.
- Provides further guidance to aid in the implementation of certain regulations.
- Seeks the participation of the public in current rulemakings and notices, announces all public meetings and comment deadlines, provides information on how to participate, and explains how to access rulemaking dockets and documents.
- Supports the voluntary ENERGY STAR® program by working with the Environmental Protection Agency to ensure products that display the label meet Energy Star specifications.