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Republicans, Democrats Clash Over Energy Efficiency Rules for Appliances
Salem/Townhall ^ | 12 September 2025 | Amy Curtis

Posted on 09/13/2025 8:54:28 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701

Shortly after being sworn in, EPA head Lee Zeldin said the Biden Administration "weaponized" energy efficiency rules in a post announcing an overhaul of the WaterSense Program.

Do energy-efficient appliances save consumers money?

They do not.

Back in 1987, the Reagan administration signed the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act, and control of all household appliances, from dishwashers to shower heads, was put under federal control. In 1992, Congress passed the Energy Policy Act, which gave big companies like Whirlpool major tax breaks for following the rules. This led to smaller appliance companies going out of business, driving up prices, and reducing quality. In fact, the lifespan of appliances cratered, dropping from 30 years to just ten, thanks to 'energy efficiency' standards.

Coupled with appliances that perform poorly, consumers are forced to rewash dishes, run a second laundry cycle, and send that broken fridge to the local dump 20 years sooner than a non-energy-efficient one.

These regulations stack up like bad sequels—each more expensive, less effective, and harder to defend than the last. The low-flow toilet that takes two flushes, the washer that needs a second cycle, the showerhead that sputters like a garden hose with arthritis. Trump's latest cuts nick the beast. But it's still alive.

"Last week's rollback swings the pendulum toward sanity—I hope. My $800 dishwasher still mocks me, but my fans, heater, and A.C. might dodge that fate. It's a small dent in decades of regulatory lunacy that's burdened makers, killed innovation, and trashed our kitchens."

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: appliances; federalcontrol; lronhoover
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The rules were established by Robert Byrd and Tom Foley.

Every major Democrat leader since Foley has passed rules demanding MORE Inefficiency of Appliances.

And we're seeing the result of going from 50 years of work to less than 10 years for an appliance today. And now the CCP controls many.

1 posted on 09/13/2025 8:54:28 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701
Back in 1987, the Reagan administration signed the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act, and control of all household appliances, from dishwashers to shower heads, was put under federal control.

A blatant misuse of the Commerce Clause.

2 posted on 09/13/2025 8:56:31 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (The tree of liberty needs a rope.)
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701

Make r22 affordable again


3 posted on 09/13/2025 9:00:24 AM PDT by George from New England (escaped CT back in 2006)
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701

Our new clothes dryer is so energy efficient it doesn’t dry the clothes in one cycle so you have to add about another 20 minutes of drying time. 😣


4 posted on 09/13/2025 9:02:05 AM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: Carry_Okie

Absolutely, and we saw the power of Foley, Byrd, and Pelosi to write those rules.


5 posted on 09/13/2025 9:05:35 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
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To: Georgia Girl 2

It takes 2-3 cycles, and that’s deliberate.


6 posted on 09/13/2025 9:05:49 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
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To: Georgia Girl 2

Toilets you flush three times to prevent clogged drain lines.


7 posted on 09/13/2025 9:06:13 AM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) "Diggin the scene with a gangster lean" (Mayfield, Curtis) )
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701

Every repair guy tells me the same thing. Appliances simply do not last as they once did...and in our lifetimes.

When you ask for recommendations or search reviews on line, you get results that represent the best of the worst.

Any attempt to restore sanity is met with pearl clutching and anguished cries about killing da erf.


8 posted on 09/13/2025 9:06:35 AM PDT by Adder (End fascism...defeat all Democrats.)
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701

Congresscritters do not have to examine their next appliance, like 73 year old me does.


9 posted on 09/13/2025 9:07:13 AM PDT by Terry L Smith
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To: George from New England

11, 12, 13, and 22 are banned.

134 is close to a ban.

They want more inefficiency. The late George Gordon Battle Liddy taught me the facts about these rules. Patent expiration and revenue was the reason for HVAC rules and they use “climate change” as an excuse.

How smart was the G Man?


10 posted on 09/13/2025 9:08:05 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701

“””And we’re seeing the result of going from 50 years of work to less than 10 years for an appliance today. “”

I bought a Sears refrigerator 29 years ago. It finally died. I never had to fix anything on it.

So I bought a new GE with the fancy icemaker in the door.
It didn’t work. So I had to call the guy who determined the circuit board on the BRAND NEW refrigerator is faulty and can get a new one in a few weeks.

I had a Maytag washer for many years. Very simple controls. Worked fine for decades. Finally wore out. Bought a new Maytag about 7 years ago. I know every square inch of the pile of garbage. The gears wear out because they are plastic. The springs that hold the drum broke. The electronic sensor for the lid lock failed. The control board failed. Chucked it out and bought a different brand. Should be good for another 2- years.


11 posted on 09/13/2025 9:12:52 AM PDT by shelterguy
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To: shelterguy

A new Haier, now you have to wait for the CCP to approve. And Haier may not approve you because the state-owned appliance manufacturer may look at your social credit score.


12 posted on 09/13/2025 9:15:27 AM PDT by WhiteHatBobby0701
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701

Lovely Reagan. Wonderful.


13 posted on 09/13/2025 9:17:08 AM PDT by napscoordinator (DeSantis is a beast! Florida is the freest state in the country! )
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701
I found a barely used commercial stove-oven-griddle for sale. I bought it. I am prohibited by county code from installing it. I can't get a plumber to run the gas line (requires larger line and larger meter). It's against code for a residence. I'm having a relative who's a master plumber come in November on a visit, to get it done. He insisted though I have a commercial hood and fire suppression bottle in place. The blower vent has to be like 2,000 CFM exhaust. The problem is it sucks the heating and cooling right out of the house.

So far the wife hasn't lost her patience, but I do all the cooking.

14 posted on 09/13/2025 9:18:11 AM PDT by blackdog ((Z28.310) "Diggin the scene with a gangster lean" (Mayfield, Curtis) )
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To: blackdog

When they first came out I called the quick plug double flush.


15 posted on 09/13/2025 9:18:35 AM PDT by Cold Heart (Democrats protect criminals and prosecute innocents)
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To: Adder

“ Every repair guy tells me the same thing. Appliances simply do not last as they once did...and in our lifetimes.”

They do sell some, but they are super premium ones that cost 5 times the price


16 posted on 09/13/2025 9:19:47 AM PDT by HereInTheHeartland (“I don't really care, Margaret.””)
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To: WhiteHatBobby0701

Ask or compel Congress to report what appliances that they have in their homes.


17 posted on 09/13/2025 9:20:47 AM PDT by Dacula
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To: shelterguy

The same story here.
We had fridge for over 40 years. Now they last just few years.
We got dishwasher, it lasted just few months after the warrantee expired.
Our Maytag washer is probably still working, I sold it after 35 years with the house.
Had to fix our new one twice since.


18 posted on 09/13/2025 9:23:40 AM PDT by AZJeep (sane )
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To: Adder

Our fridge died yesterday so I’m trying to psych myself for shopping if the repair guy can’t fix it today.

It came with the house we bought, and I’ve hated it since Day One. All I want is a unit with a dial inside that says “cooler” and “warmer”. Is that too much to effing ASK?

I don’t need to do digital contortions
(press two buttons simultaneously, and within 2 seconds press another button if you can find it) just to make it cooler.


19 posted on 09/13/2025 9:30:10 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (It's hard not to celebrate the fall of bad people. - Bongino)
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To: shelterguy

I’ve read on FR over the years that Speed Queen is the best. I’ll remember that if/when the time comes.


20 posted on 09/13/2025 9:44:41 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam (It's hard not to celebrate the fall of bad people. - Bongino)
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