EETD Assists in Analysis of Microwave Oven Energy Efficiency Standard

June 20, 2013

The Department of Energy recently announced new energy efficiency standards for microwave ovens. They will save consumers nearly $3 billion on their energy bills through 2030. Over the next 30 years, the standards will reduce an amount of carbon emissions that is equivalent to taking over 12 million new cars off the road for one year.

Researchers at the Energy Efficiency Standards Group in EETD, together with Navigant Co., conducted economic analysis of the standard used by DOE during the rulemaking process.

The standards for microwave ovens will reduce energy consumption in standby mode by 75 percent in countertop microwave ovens and over-the-range microwave ovens without convection features, and by 51 percent for over-the-range microwave ovens with convection, preventing 38 million metric tons of carbon pollution over the next three decades. These standards will go into effect starting in 2016. The present value of net financial savings to consumers are $3.4 billion over the next 30 years.