US energy regulators drop 'short-cycle' appliance rules after court challenge

US energy regulators have withdrawn rules that created a special category for dishwashers, clothes washers, and clothes dryers with shorter wash cycles. This means appliance manufacturers no longer have to meet separate energy efficiency standards for these specific product types.

For years, appliance manufacturers have faced pressure to make products more energy efficient, often leading to longer wash cycles. The previous rule tried to create a carve-out for faster, less efficient cycles, but a court found the agency did not properly justify it. Now, all appliances in these categories will be judged by the same energy standards, regardless of cycle length.