The consumer-friendly Energy Star program survived Trump. What about
other efficiency efforts?
[February 07, 2026] By
ALEXA ST. JOHN
Energy Star, the program that helps guide consumers to more
energy-efficient appliances and electronics, has survived the Trump
administration's plans to cut it.
The program received sufficient support in Congress that it was included
in budget legislation signed this week by President Donald Trump.
Environmentalists and advocates called it good news for consumers and
the planet, but raised concerns over how the program will be
administered under a shrunken Environmental Protection Agency.
But Energy Star is not the only energy efficiency program targeted by
Trump.
Here's what to know about the outlook for that program and others.
What's Trump got against energy efficiency?
Trump has regularly said efficiency standards for household items and
appliances — many strengthened under predecessor Joe Biden's
administration — rob consumers of choice and add unnecessary costs.
His first executive order upon returning to office last year outlined a
vision to “unleash American energy.” In it, he emphasized safeguarding
“the American people’s freedom to choose” everything from light bulbs to
gas stoves to water heaters and shower heads.
At the same time Trump has targeted efficiency, he's also sought to
block renewable energy development such as wind and solar and boosted
fossil fuels that contribute to warming, including gas, oil and coal.
What happened with Energy Star?
Energy Star is a voluntary, decades-old EPA-run program that informs
consumers about how efficient home appliances and electronics are,
including dishwashers, washing machines and more. The idea is to
simultaneously reduce emissions and save consumers money on their energy
bills.
The Department of Energy develops product testing procedures for Energy
Star, while the EPA sets performance levels and ensures the
certification label is reliable for consumers. It also applies to new
homes, commercial buildings and plants.
EPA says the program has saved 4 billion metric tonnes (4.41 billion
tons) of planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions since launching in
1992, and can save households an average of $450 annually.
Last May, EPA drafted plans to eliminate Energy Star as part of a
broader agency reorganization that targeted air pollution regulation
efforts and other critical environmental functions. The agency said the
reorganization would deliver “organizational improvements to the
personnel structure” to benefit the American people.
Many groups advocated against the potential closure of the program,
citing its benefits to consumers.
The legislation Trump signed this week allocated $33 million for the
program, slightly more than 2024's $32.1 million, according to the
Congressional Research Service, but it continues the general trend of
declining funding for the program over the past decade. The Association
of Home Appliance Manufacturers, among many industry groups to advocate
for keeping the program in letters sent to Congress, said it was “very
pleased” to see the funding continue.
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An Energy Star logo is displayed on a box for a freezer Jan. 21,
2025, in Evendale, Ohio. (AP Photo/Joshua A. Bickel, File)
 Some concerns remain
Experts say uncertainty around the program likely didn't impact
consumers much over the past year. They note that manufacturers
can't change their product lines overnight.
Amanda Smith, a senior scientist at climate research organization
Project Drawdown, said the uncertainty may have had a bigger effect
on EPA's ability to administer the program. She was among experts
wondering how staffing cuts may affect EPA's work.
EPA spokesperson Brigit Hirsch didn't address a question about that,
saying in a statement only that EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin “will
follow the law as enacted by Congress.”
What other energy efficiency rules are still in limbo?
The Department of Energy has proposed rolling back, weakening or
revoking 17 other minimum efficiency standards for energy and water
conservation as part of 47 broader deregulatory actions. Those are
standards that must be met for the products to be sold legally.
That includes air cleaners, ovens, dehumidifiers, portable air
conditioners, washers, dishwashers, faucets and many more items that
have been in place and updated over the years.
“These are standards that are quietly saving people money on their
utility bills year after year in a way that most consumers never
notice,” said Andrew deLaski, executive director of the Appliance
Standards Awareness Project. “The striking thing is that consumers
have a huge array of choices in appliances in the market today.
Repealing these standards would simply increase cost. It just
doesn’t make sense.”
Changing efficiency measures also drives up energy demand at a time
when utilities are already challenged to meet the growing needs of
data centers, electrification and more.
While Congress has supported Energy Star and these separate
appliance standards, it also has advanced legislation that would
give the president new powers to roll back rules.
Manufacturers are likely to continue making efficient consumer
appliances, but weakened rules could negatively impact the U.S.
marketplace.
“The problem for U.S. manufacturers is that overseas competitors
making inefficient products elsewhere could now flood the U.S.
market,” deLaski said, noting that would undercut American
manufacturers.
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