Efficiency Standard Delays Pose Challenges for Appliance Makers (Corrected)

The Energy Department’s delay in deciding whether to issue new efficiency standards for refrigerators and other home appliances has led to uncertainty for some manufacturers, industry representatives told Bloomberg Environment.

Since March 2016, the department missed eight statutory deadlines for assessing whether new home appliance energy efficiency standards are needed. The agency has moved 20 efficiency standards to a long-term status, meaning it probably won’t act on them this year either.

Appliance manufacturers say they are frustrated because they don’t know how to design products to meet standards that have not yet been completed. Energy efficiency advocates say consumers and ...