The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would remove the Department of Energy from overseeing energy standards for mobile homes, also known as manufactured homes. This move has sparked debate among advocates and critics about the potential impact on energy efficiency and costs for residents.
Advocates of the bill argue that transferring regulatory authority back to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will streamline the process and lower upfront costs for manufactured homes. However, critics are concerned that this change could set energy efficiency requirements back decades, ultimately costing residents more money in the long run.
Lawmakers like Melanie Stansbury (D-NM) have raised concerns about the bill benefiting corporations and builders at the expense of residents. The average income of manufactured home residents is around $40,000, and they already face higher energy costs compared to traditional homeowners. This is why stricter energy codes have been seen as crucial in reducing energy bills and usage for these households.
The Department of Energy took over setting energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes in 2007, but it wasn’t until 2022 that new rules were finalized under President Joe Biden’s administration. These rules were projected to save residents an average of $475 per year in utility bills for double-wide homes. However, the implementation of these rules has been delayed by both the Biden and Trump administrations.
The bill passed by the House would eliminate the Department of Energy’s rule and give sole regulatory authority back to HUD. Proponents of the bill, like Lesli Gooch of the Manufactured Housing Institute, argue that this will remove bureaucratic obstacles and create a more streamlined process for setting energy standards.
While some lawmakers view this as common-sense regulatory reform, critics are concerned that reverting to the 1994 HUD code could result in outdated energy standards for manufactured homes. It could take years to establish new standards, leaving many homes built to less efficient specifications.
With the bill now heading to the Senate, the future of energy efficiency standards for manufactured homes remains uncertain. Advocates like Mark Kresowik of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy are concerned that the current administration may not prioritize lowering energy bills for residents.
As the debate continues, the Senate will have the opportunity to weigh in on the potential impact of this legislation on energy efficiency and costs for manufactured home residents.
