Advocacy
Congressional Hearing Highlights Growing Support for Reforming DOE Efficiency Standards
September 24, 2025 | 4 minute read
On September 9, 2025, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy Subcommittee held a hearing titled “Building the American Dream: Examining Affordability, Choice, and Security in Appliance and Buildings Policies.” As a follow-up to the hearing, the committee held a markup on a series of bills aimed at reforming appliance standards and restrictions on energy use by states and cities. The discussion at both events centered on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) appliance and building energy efficiency standards, with lawmakers sharply divided over the direction and impact of recent regulations.
DOE Rules Under Fire and Debate on Efficiency Standards
House Republicans voiced strong concerns about the Biden administration’s approach to energy efficiency, describing it as a shift away from fuel neutrality and toward forced electrification. Subcommittee Chair Bob Latta (R-OH) and Full Committee Chair Brett Guthrie (R-KY) criticized DOE’s recent rules as politically motivated, arguing they limit consumer choice, increase costs, and strain the electric grid—particularly by targeting natural gas appliances.
Democrats, meanwhile, defended the standards, citing cost savings, resilience, and job creation. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-FL) and Rep. Kevin Mullin (D-CA) pointed to data showing billions in household savings and reduced disaster losses due to updated building codes and appliance standards.
HARDI Support for the Energy Choice Act
One of the bills heard on the September 16th markup was the Energy Choice Act introduced by Congressman Langworthy (R-NY) and Senator Justice (R-WV). HARDI has supported this legislation because it prevents states and cities from banning natural gas and other fossil fuels used in homes for heating and cooking. HARDI supports this legislation because it ensures fuel neutrality as intended by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA)
Witness Testimony from Industry Voices
The four witnesses present at the hearing reflected the partisan divide:
Buddy Hughes
(National Association of Home Builders) warned that DOE rules and IRA tax credits are raising housing costs and eliminating gas options.
Ben Lieberman
(Competitive Enterprise Institute) criticized decades of increasingly stringent standards for reducing product quality and increasing costs. He endorsed the “Don’t Mess with My Home Appliances Act,” which includes a “look back” provision to fix flawed regulations and ensure future rules save consumers more than they cost.
Jim Steffes
(Washington Gas) emphasized the importance of energy security and urged repeal of Section 433 of the Energy Independence and Security Act, which mandates fossil fuel elimination in federal buildings by 2030.
Kara Saul Rinaldi
(Building Performance Association) defended efficiency standards, noting they save Americans $1 billion annually, support 2.4 million jobs, and help meet rising energy demand from data centers.
Key Takeaways for HVACR Distributors
DOE just ended a marathon series of energy efficiency regulations that will impact product availability and compliance timelines.
Natural gas appliances face increasing regulatory pressure, potentially impacting customer demand and regional energy strategies.
Affordability concerns are growing, especially for key end-consumers, including low-income and senior customers.
As Congress continues to debate DOE’s role in appliance standards, HARDI will advocate for common-sense reforms that protect consumer choice, support innovation, and ensure the HVACR industry can continue to deliver reliable, affordable comfort solutions.
HARDI’s Position
HARDI has long supported technologically sound energy efficiency standards and has worked closely with DOE to implement them. However, recent rulemakings have departed from traditional fuel-neutral principles, accelerating timelines and increasing regulatory burdens on the HVACR industry. These changes are driving up costs for distributors and consumers alike.
HARDI believes the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) must be reformed to restore balance. Future efficiency standards should prioritize technological advancement over political agendas, ensuring that any new rule delivers real energy savings without disproportionate costs.
As always, HARDI will keep members informed of any regulatory developments that may impact the industry.
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Alex Ayers
Alex Ayers is the Vice President of Government Affairs for Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International. As a recovering political nerd and current policy wonk, Alex is HARDI’s primary lobbyist and regulatory expert. Growing up in Iowa, Alex was exposed early to local politics through the first in the nation Iowa Caucuses, participating as a county caucus delegate to develop the grassroots planks that go into creating the party platform. Since moving to Washington, DC, Alex has spent over a decade lobbying, publishing papers, and testifying in various policy areas, including taxes, energy, environment, agriculture, and economics. His research has been cited by organizations such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and the Tax Foundation.
Expertise: HVACR Policy, Government Affairs, and Political Advocacy
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