Donald Trump has long been vocal about his disdain for regulations governing water and energy usage in home appliances. He frequently expresses his discontent at campaign rallies, often recounting tales about the perceived negative impact of these regulations. His opposition to these rules is so strong that, amidst global market turmoil sparked by his tariff plans, Trump took the time to issue an executive order aimed at “Maintaining Acceptable Water Pressure in Showerheads.”

Trump’s grievances extend beyond showerheads, as he has also criticized dishwashers, toilets, and LED lightbulbs. He claims that dishwashers take too long to clean and consume excessive energy, resulting in higher bills. He also asserts that toilets require multiple flushes and that LED lightbulbs make him appear orange. These complaints have become a staple of his campaign rhetoric, despite the fact that the regulations governing these appliances have been widely embraced and have led to significant reductions in energy and water consumption.

During his first term, Trump attempted to undermine these regulations through various means, but his efforts were met with opposition from industry and environmental groups. The Biden administration subsequently reversed the steps Trump had taken. Trump’s recent executive order on showerheads has garnered attention, but its impact is likely to be minimal. More significant actions have been taken outside of the Oval Office, potentially threatening the enforcement of energy efficiency standards.

The Department of Energy relies on a consulting contract with Guidehouse LLP to develop and enforce these standards. However, with the assistance of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency team, Trump appears to be attempting to terminate this contract, which could cripple the government’s efficiency standards program. This move has created uncertainty among appliance manufacturers, government officials, and contractors responsible for enforcing the rules.

Experts warn that canceling the Guidehouse contract would have far-reaching consequences, including the inability of the Department of Energy to update standards, ensure compliance, and punish violators. Appliance manufacturers, such as A.O. Smith, have expressed concern that this move would create an unfair market environment, allowing “upstart manufacturers” to import substandard products without fear of repercussions.

The Department of Energy has not publicly addressed the issue, and the status of the Guidehouse contract remains unclear. The government’s efficiency requirements were established by the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975, which mandates the Department of Energy to set rules for energy and water usage in over 70 appliances and commercial products sold in the United States.

Despite the benefits of these regulations, including reduced energy consumption, lower emissions, and cost savings for consumers, Trump has continued to attack them. His administration has pursued various tactics to undermine the rules, including the postponement of efficiency updates and the creation of new “product classes” that would exempt certain devices from existing limits.

The Energy Department’s actions have been met with criticism from industry and consumer groups, who argue that the regulations have been successful in promoting energy efficiency and reducing costs. A survey found that 76% of Americans support the government setting efficiency standards for appliances. Nevertheless, Trump’s administration has continued to push for the rollback of these standards, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright announcing the postponement of “restrictive mandates” on home appliances.

One notable example of the administration’s efforts is the campaign to roll back standards for tankless gas water heaters, which are manufactured by companies like Rinnai. The new standards, set to take effect in 2029, would make Rinnai’s non-condensing tankless heaters obsolete, but the company has argued that this would put its U.S. factory at risk. However, Rinnai already sells condensing tankless heaters that meet the new standard, and it has plans to manufacture them in the United States.

Despite this, the administration has pursued a multitrack campaign to roll back the standards, including a resolution that has passed the House and won Senate approval. Rinnai has spent significant amounts on lobbying efforts and has joined with Republican attorneys general in a court challenge to the energy rule. The company’s competitors, such as A.O. Smith, have opposed the rollback, arguing that it would disadvantage U.S. companies and reward foreign manufacturers.

The administration’s campaign has expanded to multiple fronts, including a review of the Department of Energy’s procedures for energy standards and an executive order on showerheads that seeks to circumvent limits on water flow. However, experts argue that these efforts are unlikely to have a significant impact, and that the termination of the Guidehouse contract poses a more substantial threat to the enforcement of energy efficiency standards.