National Standards
Leading the way at the national level.
National efficiency standards for appliances and equipment have been lowering utility bills for consumers and businesses and cutting emissions since the late 1980s.
National Standards
National efficiency standards for appliances and equipment have been lowering utility bills for consumers and businesses and cutting emissions since the late 1980s. Efficiency standards specify the minimum energy and/or water efficiency levels of specific products. Since 1987, Congress has established or directed the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to set efficiency standards for about 60 products. DOE is also charged with reviewing and updating all standards to keep pace with technological change. National standards apply to products manufactured or imported for sale into the United States.
A 2017 ASAP/ACEEE report titled, “Energy-Savings States of America: How Every State Benefits from National Appliance Standards” estimates that existing standards saved consumers and businesses $80 billion on utility bills in 2015. Annual savings will grow to nearly $150 billion by 2030.
An August 2024 ASAP/PIRG report estimates that standards finalized by the Biden administration through that month would cut the average household’s annual utility bills by $107 (based on an average over the following two decades). The report also provides average savings for households in each U.S. state.
National Standards Resources
| Item | Resource |
|---|---|
| If you’d like information about… | Go to… |
| Residential, Commercial and Lighting Standards | See the National Product Table |
| DOE’s Appliance and Equipment Standards Program | DOE’s Appliance and Equipment Standards Homepage |
| DOE’s Rulemaking Process | Rulemaking 101 |
| Missed Deadlines | Missed deadlines |
| Benefits of Standards | The Best Energy and Climate Policy You've Never Heard Of |
| Report on Potential New Standards | A Powerful Priority |
| History of Standards in the U.S. | History |
| Appliance Standards Laws and Regs | Laws and Regs |
| Related Topics | Frequently Asked Questions |
Commercial/Industrial
Residential
Lighting
| Product Covered | Initial Legislation | Most Recent Standard Finalized | Compliance Date | Next Review Due or Issued |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candelabra & Intermediate Base Incandescent Lamps | 2007 |
2012
|
||
| Ceiling Fan Light Kits | EPACT 2005 | 2016 |
2019
|
|
| Compact Fluorescent Lamps | EPACT 2005 | 2005 |
2006
|
|
| Deep-Dimming Fluorescent Ballasts | ||||
| Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts | NAECA 1988 1988 | 2011 |
2014
|
|
| General Service Fluorescent Lamps | EPACT 1992 | 2015 |
2018
|
|
| HID Lamps | EPACT 1992 | 2015 |
||
| High Light Output Double-Ended Quartz Halogen Lamps | ||||
| HIgh-CRI Linear Fluorescent Lamps | ||||
| Illuminated Exit Signs | EPACT 2005 | 2005 |
2006
|
|
| Incandescent Reflector Lamps | EPACT 1992 | 2009 |
2012
|
|
| Incandescent Reflector Lamps (includes certain BR and Other Exempted IRLs) | EPACT 1992 | |||
| Luminaires | EPACT 1992 | |||
| Small-Diameter Directional Lamps | ||||
| Torchiere Lighting Fixtures | EPACT 2005 | 2005 |
2006
|
|
| Traffic Signals | EPACT 2005 | 2005 |
2006
|
