Appliance standards represent a cost-effective strategy to protect consumers and businesses and strengthen the state’s clean energy economy. Efficiency products save energy and water, reduce long-term operating costs, and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
House Bill 1619
On March 11, 2022, Governor Jay Inslee signed into law House Bill 1619. This legislation updated three existing appliance standards: commercial hot food holding cabinets, portable electric spas, and residential ventilating fans, and added three additional ones: air purifiers, commercial ovens and electric vehicle supply equipment.
These changes build on the state standards passed into law in 2019 in HB 1444. Computers and monitors were also updated by rule and went into effect May 12, 2022. The standards are estimated to save Washington consumers and businesses $2 billion in energy and water costs.
The effective dates of the standards vary by product, but all are based on date of manufacture, not date of sale. Products already in stores or warehouses may be installed after the new standards take effect. The standards apply to manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and installers, rather than to individual consumers. The Appliance Standards Guidebook (PDF) is a good resource that explains each product’s requirements in more detail.
Current rulemaking
On Sept. 17, Commerce filed a CR-101 (PDF) to update rules in WAC 194-24-180 regarding electric storage water heaters.
Under RCW 19.260.040, state law says Commerce “may adopt by rule a more recent version of any standard or test method established in this section, including any product definition associated with the standard or test method, in order to maintain or improve consistency with other comparable standards in other states.”
Commerce proposes the update to reflect more recent versions of ANSI/CTA-2045-A standards, in line with other states.
Next: Commerce will draft proposed rules, which are expected to be posted for public comment by November 2025. Questions or comments can be directed to Nick.Manning@Commerce.wa.gov.