This paper presents estimates of the key impacts of Federal energy and water conservation
standards adopted from 1987 through 2015. The standards for consumer products and
commercial and industrial equipment include those set by legislation as well as standards
adopted by DOE through rulemaking.

In 2015, the standards saved an estimated 4.49 quads of primary energy, which is equivalent to
5% of total U.S. energy consumption. The savings in operating costs for households and
businesses totaled $63.4 billion. The average household saved $320 in operating costs as a
result of residential appliance standards. The estimated reduction in CO2 emissions associated
with the standards in 2015 was 238 million metric tons, which is equivalent to 4.3% of total
U.S. CO2 emissions.

The estimated cumulative energy savings over the period 1990-2090 amount to 216.9 quads.
Accounting for the increased upfront costs of more-efficient products and the operating cost
(energy and water) savings over the products’ lifetime, the standards have a cumulative net
present value (NPV) of consumer benefit of between $1,627 billion and $1,887 billion, using 7
percent and 3 percent discount rates, respectively.

The water conservation standards, together with energy conservation standards that also save
water, reduced water use by 1.9 trillion gallons in 2015 and estimated cumulative water
savings by 2090 amount to 55 trillion gallons. The estimated consumer savings in 2015 from
reduced water use amounted to $12 billion.