Mills: ‘Hands off our water heaters’ as Biden admin releases new energy efficiency standards
ORLANDO, Fla. (FLV) – U.S. Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., said the federal government is continuing an “overreach into American lives” after the U.S. Department of Energy released new “energy efficiency standards” for water heaters on Friday.
The proposal would require the most common-sized electric water heaters to “achieve efficiency gains with heat pump technology and gas-fired instantaneous water heaters to achieve efficiency gains through condensing technology,” according to a press release.
In an interview on Fox & Friends First, Mills said this is “just more of the federal government continuing to overreach into American lives.”
“You know, first it was your gas stove, then it’s your air conditioner, then it’s the idea of your water heater,” he said. “I mean, it just continues on and on and on – and seems the only thing that’s safe from Biden’s administration, you have to put it upstairs.”
Mills said the “upfront cost alone in comparison to what your long term savings isn’t a decision that should be made by the federal government’s, it’s a decision that should made by the private citizen.”
“These actual water heaters, which essentially draw from the heat from outside, which not only take longer to heat up the actual water, but in northern climates would actually be a little bit less efficient,” he continued. “And so an at call – or on call water heater actually would be more efficient from a water perspective.”
The U.S. Department of Energy said the proposed new energy efficiency standards will “save consumers $11.4 billion on their energy and water bills every year.” The plan is set to go into effect in 2029.
When it comes to cost, Mills said the plan “just may not be a viable option to come out with a high upfront cost to think about a long term savings.”
“Could it make a savings in the end? Sure, it possibly could,” he said. “There’s a lot of efficiencies that we could put in our homes, but it’s all about whether or not you have that accessible and available cash to be able to do that upfront – as opposed to utilizing what you have right now.”
If adopted within the department’s proposed timeframe, the new rule would apply to new water heater models starting in 2029.
“Hands off our water heaters!” Mills tweeted.
“First Biden came for our gas stoves, then he wanted to eliminate air conditioners, and washing machines, and now he’s coming for our water heaters. Heat-pump water heaters are already available for those who want them, but cost vs. savings differs…” Mills said.
Hands off our water heaters!
— Rep. Cory Mills 🇺🇸 (@RepMillsPress) July 24, 2023
First Biden came for our gas stoves, then he wanted to eliminate air conditioners, and washing machines, and now he’s coming for our water heaters.
Heat-pump water heaters are already available for those who want them, but cost vs. savings differs… pic.twitter.com/YmEkY3XOGk
“Today’s actions—together with our industry partners and stakeholders—improve outdated efficiency standards for common household appliances, which is essential to slashing utility bills for American families and cutting harmful carbon emissions,” U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm said in a press release from the department.
Granholm said the proposal “reinforces the trajectory of consumer savings that forms the key pillar of ‘Bidenomics’ and builds on the unprecedented actions already taken by this Administration to lower energy costs for working families across the nation.”
In June, President Joe Biden said the word “Bidenomics” is an “economic vision where we make smart investments in America, educate and empower American workers, and promote competition to lower costs and help small businesses.”
This is Bidenomics, folks. pic.twitter.com/nmATaelkw4
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 28, 2023
The department said water heating is responsible for “roughly 13% of both annual residential energy use and consumer utility costs.” The department last updated residential water heater efficiency standards, which are required by Congress, in 2010.
With this proposal, the department said they have now issued proposed or final efficiency standards for 18 product categories so far this year.
The department said the actions are “critical to carrying out Congressional direction for energy savings while improving reliability and performance across household appliances and commercial and industrial equipment.”
In June, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that prohibits local governments from restricting or banning the use of any major appliance such as gas stoves or grills.
The initiative was brought in response to a Biden administration official who said in an interview that gas stoves are a “hidden hazard.” Federal regulators were reportedly mulling a nationwide ban on gas stoves; however, Biden later said the gas stove regulations were not going to be adopted.
