Experts warn new ban from Biden admin will be ‘particularly concerning’ for some households
SUMMARY
The Biden administration’s move to ban certain natural gas water heaters by 2029 as part of its climate agenda has drawn criticism for potentially increasing energy costs for low-income and senior households. The Department of Energy (DOE) rules target non-condensing gas-fired water heaters, requiring energy efficiency standards that only condensing models can meet. Critics, including Matthew Agen of the American Gas Association, argue the rules violate the Energy Policy and Conservation Act by rendering certain affordable products unavailable. The DOE estimates an average life-cycle savings of $112 over 20 years, a figure critics call insufficient to justify the upfront cost of condensing models, which can be nearly twice as expensive. Proponents, like the Appliance Standards Awareness Project, support the change, claiming it will reduce 32 million metric tons of CO₂ emissions over 30 years. Manufacturers, however, warn of wasted investments and potential job losses.
