Connecticut Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Standards
Connecticut requires manufacturers to meet efficiency standards for certain appliances and equipment, including televisions, DVD players, compact audio equipment, water coolers, hot food holding cabinets, and portable electric spas. When you purchase these products in Connecticut, you can be assured they meet state efficiency requirements, though this program does not provide direct rebates or incentives to consumers.
This program sets mandatory minimum efficiency standards for specific appliance and equipment categories sold in Connecticut, meaning products you sell must comply with state regulations. Manufacturers are responsible for certifying compliance with the Office of Policy Management; distributors and retailers should verify that products meet Connecticut's standards for televisions, DVD players, compact audio equipment, water coolers, hot food holding cabinets, and portable electric spas.
Connecticut's appliance standards program, administered by the Office of Policy Management, establishes efficiency requirements for six product categories not preempted by federal standards (effective 2007–2011). Manufacturers must self-certify compliance; standards are reviewed biennially and may be increased if cost-effective for consumers. The program targets all Connecticut consumers through point-of-sale product compliance and has no dedicated funding mechanism beyond standard regulatory administration.
Program details
- Program ID
- 1563
- Last updated
- 7/14/2026
Eligibility
- Technologies
- other ee commercial cooking equipment personal computing equipment
Program summary
NOTE: The federal government has imposed and updated appliance efficiency standards through several legislative acts,* and now has standards in place or under development for 30 classes of products. In general, states which had set standards prior to federal action may enforce their own standards until the federal standards take effect. States that had not set standards prior to federal action must use the federal standards. This summary addresses (1) state appliance standards that will be in place until the federal standards take effect and (2) products for which the federal government is not currently developing an efficiency standard. Much of the information in this summary comes from the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP). Visit the ASAP web site for comprehensive information about appliance standards.
Connecticut enacted efficiency standards through legislative actions in 2004 and 2007 and 2011. This law covers the following products that have not been pre-empted by federal standards:
(Dates listed in parenthesis signify the year the standard took effect.)
- Compact Audio Equipment (2011)
- DVD Players and Recorders (2011)
- Portable Electric Spas (2007)
- Televisions (2011)
The standards apply to products manufactured in Connecticut and sold inside the state. Manufacturers must certify to the Secretary of the Office of Policy Management that products comply with the regulations.
The standards must be reviewed biennially and increased if it is determined that increased efficiency standards would serve to promote energy conservation and would be cost-effective for consumers. Standards for additional products may be adopted if it is determined that they would serve to promote energy conservation in the state, would be cost-effective for consumers, and that multiple products are available which meet such standards.
* These acts include the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act of 1987, the Energy Policy Act of 1992, the Energy Policy Act of 2005, and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.
**Adopted per legislation enacted July 2011 (SB 1243).
Contact & resources
- Contact email
- Michele.L.Melley@ct.gov
- Additional resources
Please verify current program details with the administering agency before making any financial decisions.
