The House Committee on Energy and Commerce approved three bills that could significantly reshape home energy policy, appliance standards, and equipment choices. Here’s a breakdown of each bill, what they mean for contractors, and what to expect next.
1. H.R. 3699: Energy Choice Act
The committee approved H.R. 3699, the Energy Choice Act — a key part of one of ACCA’s top legislative priorities to protect fuel and technology choice. This bill reinforces a simple principle: homeowners and businesses should have access to whatever fuel source works best for them. The legislation would prevent state and local governments from enacting bans on specific types of fuel, including natural gas.
Regulators in at least 11 states have already moved to restrict access to or eliminate incentives for natural gas equipment. The Energy Choice Act would preserve access to affordable and reliable energy options and prevent further erosion of consumer choice.
Take action to protect fuel and technology choice by signing our Action Alert.
2. R. 4758: Homeowner Energy Freedom Act
The committee also advanced legislation that would repeal the Home Electrification and Appliances Rebate (HEAR) and Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) programs, as well as assistance for zero building energy code adoption. It should be noted that funding for TREC was already rescinded in recent budget legislation, and HEAR funds have been fully obligated to the states, so the practical impact of this bill remains unclear. Interestingly, the legislation leaves the other home energy rebate program — the whole-home, fuel-neutral Home Efficiency Rebates (HOMES) Program — untouched.
3. R. 4626: Don’t Mess With My Home Appliances Act
H.R. 4626 would significantly reform the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) by making it more difficult for DOE to issue and enforce new efficiency standards for appliances, including air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, and water heaters. The bill establishes a process to revoke existing standards if they increase consumer costs, reduce product availability, or prove not technically feasible. This proposal could potentially slow and reverse burdensome regulations like the December 2028 ban on non-condensing furnaces, but the devil is in the details.
ACCA aims to ensure that these reforms do not open the floodgates to inefficient imported products that could compete with contractor-installed systems, ultimately costing consumers more in the long run.
WHAT’S NEXT
ACCA welcomes the committee’s action as an opportunity to improve transparency, reliability, and cost-effectiveness in federal energy policy. As these bills move forward, we will continue engaging directly with lawmakers to share contractor perspectives and promote policies that protect consumer choice and support the businesses that serve them. Stay tuned as we monitor their progress and provide updates as they become available.
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