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H.R. 4626 would change how the Department of Energy (DOE) sets and updates energy efficiency standards for household appliances like refrigerators, washers, dryers, and air conditioners. Currently, the DOE is required to review these standards every six years and cannot weaken existing ones. This bill would give the Energy Secretary the ability to amend or revoke existing appliance efficiency standards and would establish new procedures for setting standards. The bill would also prevent states and local governments from enforcing their own energy and water conservation standards on appliances that DOE has regulated.
Proponents of the bill argue it would make appliances more affordable and preserve consumer choice regarding appliance features and fuel types. They contend that strict efficiency standards increase the upfront cost of appliances. Opponents counter that efficiency standards lower utility bills for consumers over time and help reduce strain on the electrical grid. According to the Department of Energy, existing efficiency standards helped the typical U.S. household save $576 on utility bills in 2024.
The bill passed the House and is now in the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that implementing the bill would cost less than $500,000 over the 2026-2030 period. The central debate centers on whether the priority should be lower initial appliance prices or lower long-term energy costs for consumers.
AI-generated summary
Congress
119th Congress
Introduced
Jul 23, 2025
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 25, 2026
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Feb 25, 2026
