This bill, known as the Affordable HOMES Act, seeks to amend energy conservation standards for manufactured housing. The proposed changes include recommendations for revisions to the preemptive energy conservation standards, taking into account factors such as cost-effectiveness, impact on purchase prices, construction techniques, climate zones, and energy performance. Additionally, the bill aims to nullify a specific final rule related to energy conservation standards for manufactured housing published in the Federal Register in 2022. If enacted, this bill would impact energy efficiency standards for manufactured housing.
Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards Act or the Affordable HOMES Act
This bill rescinds Department of Energy (DOE) energy efficiency regulations applicable to manufactured housing and eliminates DOE’s authority to issue similar regulations. Specifically, the bill rescinds the DOE final rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Manufactured Housing and published on May 31, 2022.
Under the bill, DOE may provide recommendations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for revisions to energy conservation standards applicable to manufactured housing. These recommendations must comply with criteria established by the bill, including by being based on the determination of the cost-effectiveness of such revision.