House · HJRES 20 · 119th Congress
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Energy relating to "Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Gas-fired Instantaneous Water Heaters".
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Summary
This bill cancels a rule from the Department of Energy that set stricter energy standards for gas-powered tankless water heaters. The rule would have required these heaters to use less gas. Homeowners and businesses that buy or make these water heaters are most affected.
In Favor
The old DOE rule would have raised the cost of gas tankless water heaters for consumers. Canceling it lets manufacturers keep making affordable models without added design costs. Families replacing a water heater can choose from a wider range of products at lower prices.
Against
The canceled rule was designed to cut energy use and lower gas bills over time for homeowners. Without it, less efficient heaters stay on the market and consumers may pay more in fuel costs over the life of the heater. The long-term savings from higher efficiency are now off the table.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This resolution cancels a Department of Energy rule that set new energy efficiency standards for gas-fired tankless water heaters. The rule, issued in December 2024, aimed to raise the minimum efficiency level for those appliances.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The resolution focuses only on canceling the one named water heater efficiency rule. The provisions stay on topic.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
Makers and sellers of gas-fired tankless water heaters would no longer face the new efficiency requirements. Buyers of those appliances would also be affected, as the standards that DOE said were justified would not take effect.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not authorize or appropriate any federal dollars. Canceling the rule removes compliance costs that the DOE rule would have placed on manufacturers, but the sources provide no specific dollar figures for those costs or savings.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
Because the rule is canceled through a disapproval process, the Department of Energy cannot issue a new rule in substantially the same form. This limits DOE's ability to set similar standards for this product in the future.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 6/5/2026