Appliances today are smarter and more energy efficient than ever before -- thanks to California's appliance efficiency standards that went into effect in 1977. We depend on our appliances day in and day out. They cool and heat our homes, keep our food from spoiling, clean our dishes and laundry, and cook our food.

It's important to remember that there can be significant differences in the energy consumption of appliances. It depends on an appliance's age, whether it was designed before or after the standards went into effect, or the efficiency level of the model. For instance, the amount of energy used to run one 1977 model refrigerator can power three 1998 models! Check here for some appliance tips for consumers.

Appliance Efficiency Regulations

California's appliance standards have done far more than improve the operation and efficiency of refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, and other appliances. They're also protecting our environment by helping to reduce the need for new power plants (and their associated emissions) as well as from direct combustion home appliances such as gas furnaces and water heaters. In addition, they help consumers and businesses save money.

Download the CURRENT APPLIANCE REGULATIONS,
Energy Commission Publication # CEC-400-2007-016-REV1.
Effective 12/29/2007.
(PDF, 195 pgs, 1.7 MB)

Database of Energy Efficient Appliances

The Energy Commission maintains a database of efficient appliances which can be used by the federal government, contractors, building officials, utilities and others, mostly for verifying compliance with efficiency standards. Information included in the database is obtained from more than 500 different appliance manufacturers (and their trade associations) who must use standard test methods to prove the energy use and efficiency of their products.

Databases source files containing all appliances certified to the California Energy Commission as meeting the current efficiency standards are available for downloading as Microsoft Excel files.

The appliances covered include:

• Refrigerators, Refrigerator-Freezers, Freezers, Wine Chillers
  
• Plumbing Fittings and Fixtures
  
• Central Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps
  
• Room A/C, Package Terminal A/C, Package Terminal Heat Pumps
  
• Spot Air Conditioners and Computer Room Air Conditioners
  
• Cooking and Washing Appliances
  
• Central Fan-Type Furnaces
  
• Gas Space Heaters
  
• Boilers
  
• Pool Heaters, Portable Electric Spas, and Pool Pumps
  
• Lighting Control Devices
  
• Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts
  
• Water Heaters (Gas)
  
• Water Heaters (Electric)
  
• Beverage Vending Machines
  
• Distribution Transformers
  
• Exit Signs
  
• Traffic Signals
  
• Ceiling Fans, Residential Exhaust Fans, and Whole House Fans
  
• Consumer Audio & Video Products
  
• Water Dispensers
  
• Commercial Cooking
  

Please note that the Web Development Team does not maintain these database files.

Certification Forms and Applications

Data Certification Forms and Instructions for Manufacturers and Labs and Instructions and Applications for Third-Party Certifiers, Designation of Approved Industry Certification Programs, and Approval of Trade Association Directories are available here.

For questions about the appliance regulations and the database please contact: