Biden rarely looks out for the interests of the American people. He’s proving that to be true once again.
And Joe Biden is raising prices for this group of Americans by banning a crucial resource.
The Biden administration’s new policy to ban certain natural gas water heaters is raising concerns about its impact on the elderly and low-income families.
The policy, part of President Biden’s broader climate agenda, targets non-condensing, natural gas-fired water heaters and is set to take effect in 2029. Critics argue that this move could lead to soaring costs for some of the most vulnerable populations.
The Department of Energy (DOE) quietly announced the new standards without issuing a press release, publishing the rules just after Christmas. Under the policy, new tankless gas water heaters will be required to use 13% less energy than the least efficient models available today.
While the rules don’t explicitly ban non-condensing models, only condensing versions meet the stricter efficiency requirements, effectively phasing out non-condensing options, according to reports from the Washington Free Beacon.
“When the rule goes into effect, all that manufacturing will basically be irrelevant,” Frank Windsor, president of Rinnai America, told the Washington Free Beacon.
Rinnai, a water heater manufacturer, had recently invested approximately $70 million in a new Georgia facility to produce non-condensing gas water heaters. Windsor lamented that much of the equipment will likely become obsolete.
The change could push consumers toward costlier options, such as condensing tankless water heaters or storage tank models, which are generally cheaper upfront but less efficient over time. For instance, a Rinnai non-condensing tankless water heater retails for around $1,000 at Home Depot, while a comparable condensing model costs approximately $1,800.
Tankless water heaters are especially popular in smaller homes and apartments, often serving low-income and elderly households. Critics argue that requiring these populations to pay more upfront for replacements is unfair.
“Forcing low-income and senior customers to pay far more upfront is particularly concerning. DOE’s decision to go ahead with a flawed final rule is deeply disappointing,” said Matthew Agen, the American Gas Association’s chief counsel for energy, to the Washington Free Beacon.
Agen further noted that the long-term savings from the new standards are modest. According to DOE estimates, the average consumer would save only $112 over 20 years.
He also claimed the rule violates the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), which prohibits standards that eliminate products with distinct performance characteristics.
Proponents of the new standards, however, see them as a step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Appliance Standards Awareness Project, which supported the rule, estimates it will cut 32 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions from water heaters over the next 30 years.
“This is a commonsense step that will lower total household costs while reducing planet-warming emissions,” Andrew deLaski, the executive of the organization, said in a statement.
“These long-awaited standards will ensure more families save with proven energy-efficient technology already used in a majority of tankless units.”
As the policy’s March 11 implementation date approaches, it remains a polarizing issue. While environmental groups champion the long-term benefits, industry representatives and consumer advocates worry about the short-term costs and accessibility challenges.
Meanwhile, incoming President-elect Donald Trump, who is set to become president on January 20, has signaled interest in reversing some of Biden’s climate policies.
Trump has tapped Chris Wright, CEO of Liberty Energy, as his nominee for Secretary of Energy. Many are hoping that Wright will help accomplish Trump’s goal of doing away with many of President Biden’s awful climate change policies.
Stay tuned to the Conservative Column.
