Better Appliances: An Analysis of Performance, Features, and Price as Efficiency Has Improved

Efficiency standards have played a major role in saving energy and water and reducing utility bills. This report analyzes how the choices available to consumers have changed over time as efficiency standards have taken effect for ten residential, commercial, and lighting products. The report compares the performance, features, and price of products available before and after each standard was implemented. As products have become more efficient, product performance generally stayed the same or improved, and manufacturers offered new features to consumers. Prices declined or stayed the same for five of the nine products for which price data were available, and for the other four products, observed price increases are outweighed by electricity bill savings.