Attention Arizona: Is the Biden Administration About to Ban Your Refrigerator?!

• New EPA Regulations could raise the cost of new appliances
• Tighter restrictions may prohibit the use of popular appliances
• This is the latest in over 110 new regulations rolled out by the Biden-Harris administration targeted at emissions reduction

Will Your Appliances Be Banned in Arizona

With inflation chipping away at Arizona budgets over the last year, most of us are looking at ways to save money, rather than shell out more. Energy-efficient appliances not only save electricity and resources, but they strive to save money overall.

That said, the cost of purchasing a new appliance can be daunting, and few of us can upgrade all our appliances at once. We usually don't even consider buying, say, a new refrigerator, until the one we're currently using completely conks out.

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When President Joe Biden announced an end to gas stoves a few years ago, many people reacted with outrage. First, cooking on an electric stove is not the same experience as a fast stove, especially for someone passionate about cooking. Second, the replacement price can get expensive.

Announcement: The Federal Government is Coming for Arizona's Refrigerators Next

Now the Biden Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are suggesting new energy-efficiency standards for refrigerators and freezers. The intention is to lower energy costs which they claim will significantly reduce pollution. The measures, some have touted, are meant to combat climate change.

When Does Arizona Have to Make the Switch to New Appliances?

There is a little good news. You don't have to max out your credit cards to upgrade your household appliances just yet.

According to DOE, the new standards for refrigerators and freezers will be rolled out beginning in 2029. This change is the first major update in over a decade.

[The new appliances] will eliminate the equivalent of 12.7 million homes’ worth of emissions over 30 years and save households $5 billion annually. The typical new refrigerator will use 25% less energy than the current standard, while the typical new freezer will use 28% less energy.

What Will the Biden Administration Ban Next?

According to Energy.gov, rolling out the new regulations for refrigerators and freezers is part of over 110 actions the Biden-Harris Administration has taken on household appliances in 2022 alone.

Beyond refrigerators and stoves, other equipment targeted by the proposed standards include washers, dryers, water heaters, furnaces, and air conditioners. In some cases, the new standards will be rolled out over the next 30 years.

While the aim is to reduce costs, it remains to be seen how much the cost of the new appliances will rise over time, given the new standards.