DOE Proposes Energy Conservation Standards for Dehumidifiers

On November 6, 2023, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking that would increase energy conservation standards for consumer dehumidifiers. This rulemaking falls under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), which prescribes energy conservation standards for various consumer products and certain commercial and industrial equipment. EPCA requires DOE to periodically determine whether more stringent standards would be technologically feasible and economically justified, and would result in significant energy savings.

As part of this proposed rulemaking, DOE analyzed the benefits and burdens of four trial standard levels (“TSLs”) for dehumidifiers. TSL 1 represents a small increase in efficiency requirements, TSL 2 represents the current ENERGY STAR® standard, TSL 3 represents an intermediate step that increases efficiency across most product classes, and TSL 4 represents the maximum efficiency under existing market technologies for all product classes. Based on analysis contained in the NOPR, DOE proposes to adopt the energy conservation standards for dehumidifiers at TSL 3.

If adopted at TSL 3, between 2028 and 2057 the proposed rule is expected to result in a emission reduction of 6.94 million metric tons (“Mt”) of carbon dioxide (“CO₂ ”), 1.76 thousand tons of sulfur dioxide (“SO₂ ”), 11.81 thousand tons of nitrogen oxides (“NO_X ”), 51.94 thousand tons of methane (“CH₄ ”), 0.06 thousand tons of nitrous oxide (“N₂ O”), and 0.01 tons of mercury (“Hg”).

DOE will hold a public meeting via webinar on Thursday, December 14, 2023, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. DOE is accepting written comments, data, and information regarding this NOPR until January 5, 2024.