Biden administration finalizes efficiency rules for water heaters [Video]

The Biden administration on Tuesday finalized new energy efficiency standards for residential hot water heaters, the most significant of several actions it has taken meant to reduce emissions from everyday products.

The Department of Energy estimated the new standards, which will take effect for newly manufactured electric water storage heaters beginning in 2029, will save households an average of between $100 to $200 on their utility bills per year and $1,800 over the lifetime of the appliances.

The rules will also avert an estimated 332 million metric tons of carbon dioxide pollution from the atmosphere over the next 30 years, DOE officials said. 

Speaking to reporters Tuesday, officials touted the new efficiency standards as a cost-saving measure to reduce pollution for millions of people and result in energy savings of 17.6 quadrillion British thermal units over the next 30 years, what officials said will be the largest-ever emissions reduction achieved by a single DOE efficiency rule in department …