Contact: Ben Somberg, 202-658-8129, bsomberg@aceee.org
Washington, DC—Revisions today to stove efficiency standards under consideration by the Department of Energy (DOE) would ensure the availability of an even wider range of gas models than indicated under an earlier proposal. The Notice of Data Availability from DOE today—a common rulemaking step—provides new technical analysis based on data submitted to the department from product manufacturers. It revises and raises the allowable energy use levels that DOE is considering for a final standard.
“The department is going above and beyond here to ensure that consumers will have access to a very wide range of highly featured gas stoves, including models with six high-output burners,” said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project. “They’ve taken new data from the manufacturers and effectively adjusted the proposal. This is how the process works.”
The DOE standards proposed in February would require new gas and electric stoves to be more efficient. Many entry-level gas stoves would already meet that proposal, and DOE had ensured that even higher-end models—including those with cast-iron grates and a high-output burner—could meet the standard.
Now, in response to stakeholder feedback, DOE is only considering standard levels that could still be met by stoves with as many as six high-output burners. The new data show that these standard levels now under consideration could reduce energy use by 15%–30% relative to today’s least efficient models to do the same amount of cooking.
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ASAP advocates for appliance, equipment, and lighting standards that cut planet-warming emissions and other air pollution, save water, and reduce economic and environmental burdens for low- and moderate-income households. ASAP’s steering committee includes representatives from environmental and efficiency nonprofits, consumer groups, the utility sector, and state government.