“The process rule governs how DOE interacts with the public and other stakeholders in creating such rules. The proposed rule is a more inclusive and thorough process that ensures we have more input early to prevent any unnecessary increases in up-front costs for consumers,” a spokesperson for DOE’s Office of Critical Minerals and Energy Innovation told ACHR NEWS. 

The DOE claims that the proposed rule would “Permanently End Green New Scam Appliance Mandates” that raise costs and disrupt consumer choice.  

“For too long, the American people paid the price for mandates that restricted consumer choice and drove up costs. President Trump promised to end this nonsense, and that is exactly what we are doing,” said Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. 

Alex Ayers, vice president of government affairs for the Heating, Air-conditioning, & Refrigeration Distributors International, said the notion of permanently ending mandates is an overstatement. As proposed, the rule would not repeal existing efficiency standards, nor would it prevent future standards from being established or provide relief from regulations set by the Biden administration. 

“Instead, it revises the procedures DOE must follow when developing future efficiency standards under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA),” Ayers said. “In many respects, it restores the 2020 Process Rule that HARDI supported through AHRI-led coalition comments before the Biden administration repealed it.” 

The rule does not impact existing state energy laws or federal preemption under the EPCA. States would still be subject to federal preemption that prevents interference in the national marketplace, the DOE spokesperson said. 

HVAC Industry Responds 

Industry organizations generally welcomed the proposed rule while noting that it doesn’t change existing standards and remains vulnerable to future administrations. 

Francis Dietz, vice president of public affairs with AHRI, said the institute hadn’t fully reviewed the proposed rulemaking as of July 2 but strongly supports the DOE’s review of the rule. 

“As we noted in our comments on the Process Rule Request for Information, we largely support returning to the 2020 Process Rule,” Dietz said. “We look forward to reviewing the proposed rule with our member companies and submitting additional comments within the time frame provided.” 

The Air-Conditioning Contractors of America is also reviewing and consulting with partners on the details of the proposed rule. DOE cited comments from ACCA submitted in 2025 on the process rule, and the organization noted the proposal generally aligns with many themes it raised. 

“While it’s true that this proposed rule mostly pertains to future standards, we deeply appreciate DOE’s renewed commitment to weigh affordability, product availability, performance characteristics, and consumer choice alongside energy savings,” said Sean Robertson, ACCA’s vice president of government relations. 

Robertson said the rule sets the stage for a balanced process in a case where the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals could allow the DOE to revisit the residential furnace efficiency rule in the wake of last month’s decision by the Supreme Court. Mandates from the case, HVACR industry groups argue, would essentially ban gas-fired non-condensing consumer furnaces and commercial water heaters. 

Ayers said HARDI welcomes a return to a “more transparent and predictable rulemaking process,” but the proposal is procedural and could be reversed by a future administration. More permanent solutions would require Congress to modernize the EPCA. 

“Codifying stronger procedural safeguards and clearer statutory limits would provide manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and consumers with lasting certainty that cannot be undone each time the White House changes hands,” he said. 

Kelly Mariotti, president and CEO of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, said while they applaud the DOE’s efforts, the Process Rule is subject to change from one administration to another, which creates “the kind of uncertainty and instability that makes it difficult for manufacturers to plan, invest, and innovate with confidence.” 

“A strong Process Rule today is a significant achievement, but the goal must be to make these reforms permanent,” said Mariotti in a written statement. 

The DOE spokesperson said HVAC manufacturers should continue planning around existing standards until the new rules are finalized. 

The DOE will collect comments on the proposed rule for 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.