New York’s Appliance and Building Efficiency Standards

In May 2022, New York passed S9405, creating new appliance efficiency standards for products that are not federally regulated. It calls for the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to update energy and water efficiency standards for 7 products already regulated by the state and to set new standards for another 30, including air purifiers, electric vehicle chargers, and restaurant equipment. In addition to directing NYSERDA to consider standards for a long list of specific products, the bill empowers the agency to establish new efficiency standards and promulgate regulations, including for products not listed, making it one of the few states in the country to ensure standards can keep pace with technological advancements.

The legislation will also allow regulators to set energy codes for new houses and commercial buildings that exceed the IECC and ASHRAE model codes. When assessing whether a building code is cost-effective, regulators would consider lifetime building energy savings, rather than looking only at a 10-year window, and include secondary and societal effects, such as carbon emissions.

At the time of this writing, the bill is awaiting the governor’s signature.