This bill cancels energy efficiency rules that the Department of Energy created for manufactured homes (like mobile homes and factory-built houses). Right now, the DOE has strict requirements about how energy-efficient these homes need to be, which was finalized in May 2022. This bill would get rid of those requirements and prevent the DOE from making similar rules in the future.

Instead of the DOE setting the rules, the bill allows the DOE to only make suggestions to the Department of Housing and Urban Development about what energy standards might work for manufactured housing. Any suggestions have to be based on whether the improvements would actually save money for homeowners in the long run.

The practical effect is that manufactured home builders would no longer be required to meet federal energy efficiency standards, which could mean lower upfront costs for buyers but potentially higher utility bills over time. The bill essentially shifts responsibility away from federal energy regulations toward a voluntary recommendation system.

Affordable HOMES Act

Houchin, Erin

Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards Act or the Affordable HOMES ActThis 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.