Tillis's Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act Signed into Law | Eastern NC Now

Press Release:

    WASHINGTON, D.C.     Yesterday, the Ceiling Fan Energy Conservation Harmonization Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation introduced by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Martin Heinrich (D-NM) in the Senate and Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC-08) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC-01) in the House, was signed into law. The legislation modifies the implementation of two upcoming regulations that would have passed on new costs to millions of American consumers if left unchanged.

    Previously, there were two efficiency requirement regulations on ceiling fans that would begin enforcement one year apart from each other: light bulbs in January 2019 and motors in January 2020. These misaligned dates would have created a significant problem for the industry when multiplied over thousands of stores, supply chain lead times, redundant employee work hours, and the transition of inventory.

    The staggered timing of the regulations would have wasted time and tens of millions of dollars in total compliance costs, including duplicative labor, labeling, and testing for product models that would then be reversed and replaced one year later. This would ultimately limit affordability and availability for American consumers. The legislation makes a simple change to synchronize the implementation of both regulations on the single enforcement date in 2020, avoiding wasteful costs that could have been passed onto Americans families.

    The residential ceiling fan market is roughly $1.8 billion, with 15 million units moved annually.

    "I am glad this bipartisan legislation to streamline the efficiency standards for ceiling fans has been signed into law by President Trump," said Senator Tillis. "This commonsense, bipartisan law provides regulatory relief that will protect American families from being penalized with higher costs."

    "I'm pleased our bipartisan legislation to streamline efficiency requirement regulations has been signed into law," said Senator Heinrich. "Energy efficiency standards for ceiling fans and other appliances are a proven way to help consumers save money on their utility bills, while also lowering emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. By modifying compliance with the standards, we can avoid passing along unnecessary costs associated with implementation to American families."

    "I am glad to see this bipartisan bill to streamline regulations on ceiling fans and save consumers money signed into law," said Rep. Hudson. "Although this issue probably won't get too many headlines, it is one more example of how I'm working to bring common sense to Washington and get government out of the way."

    "Ceiling fans are important to my constituents in Eastern North Carolina who use them as low-cost ways to keep their homes cool during the hot and humid summers," said Congressman G. K. Butterfield. "This bill helps keep costs low by streamlining the compliance process for manufacturers- which in turn, could make things easier and more cost efficient for retailers and consumers. I am proud to have worked with my colleagues to send this legislation to the president's desk before the upcoming compliance deadlines."

• Contact: Daniel Keylin
•     daniel_keylin@tillis.senate.gov