From ceiling fans to refrigerators, the Department of Energy is updating appliance efficiency standards that would affect millions of consumers.

The Biden administration’s goal is to reduce climate-warming greenhouse gasses and save Americans billions of dollars a year in utility costs. But the administration is facing pushback from the natural gas industry, because some new standards would affect gas appliances. Conservative politicians and media have taken notice of the measures, too, and they’ve now made unsexy, technical appliance standards a flashpoint in the country’s culture war.

  • PrunesMakeYouPoop@kbin.social
    1·
    11 months ago

    I’m not a fan of induction cooktops that turn off when you lift up the pan. I was cooking soft scrambled eggs at my aunt’s house and kept having to turn the stove back on every time I lifted up the skillet for more than about 3 seconds. It was super frustrating.

    • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
      1·
      11 months ago

      Yeah, it’s that sort of stuff that worries me. I know that induction can be as good or even better than gas, but too much of that relies on the engineering and design of the induction system and electronics. And that’s the sort of stuff appliance makers will cheap out on to make a buck.

      • Maëlys@slrpnk.net
        1·
        11 months ago

        well, this for instance could be a selling point for premium brands, and with enough competition, even average brands will be compelled to adress this too. just give the free market some time to catch up 😭

        i didn’t downvote you btw …

        • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
          1·
          11 months ago

          I hope you’re right, and it would happen a lot faster if we were able to test drive the stoves first. Then I wouldn’t end up giving my money to people who can’t make a decent stove.

          The neat thing about Kbin is I don’t see the downvotes. I’m at +2 and that’s enough for me.

          • Maëlys@slrpnk.net
            1·
            11 months ago

            lol

            i hope i am too. i am not sure why would an induction plate would cost you 2k (€ ?) where i live a 4 cooker induction plate is about 233€, and single cooker ones are 70€, and they are always out of stock…i dont know maybe its due to the gas stove lobby! nonetheless, voicing one’s cocncern to manufacturers would help improve said product.

    • Maëlys@slrpnk.net
      1·
      11 months ago

      maybe its a design shortcoming: maybe the capacitors or the circuit inside need to stay half energized for exemple to allow you quick resume of your cooking… i think its better to give makers some leeway and let them know of your feedback in order to improve such devices.