Vermont Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Standards

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. See the Department of Energy Appliance Standards website for additional information on the federal standards. In February 2006, Vermont established appliance efficiency legislation through bill H.0253, An Act Relating to Establishing Energy Efficiency Standards For Certain Appliances. This Act created minimum efficiency standards for certain products sold or installed in Vermont. Note, standards for medium voltage dry-type distribution transformers and metal halide lamp fixtures have been pre-empted by federal standards. In May 2018, the Vermont Legislature passed H.410, an act relating to appliance efficiency, energy planning, and electric vehicle parking. Additionally, the state is phasing out the sale of fluorescent lighting. Screw-base CFL bulbs were phased out on February 17, 2023, and pin-base CFL and fluorescent tubes will be phased out on January 1, 2024. The following products with provisions included in the 2018 bill have an effective date of 01/01/2020 and are not preempted by federal law:Air Compressors Commercial dishwashers Commercial Fryers Hot-Food Holding Cabinets Commercial Steam Cookers ComputersComputer Monitors Faucets HIgh-CRI Linear Fluorescent Lamps Portable Air Conditioners Portable electric spas Residential Ventilating Fans Showerheads Spray Sprinkler Bodies Uninterruptible Power SuppliesUrinals Water Coolers *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.