PRINTER'S NO. 397
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 424
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY L. WILLIAMS, FONTANA, SAVAL, COMITTA, COLLETT,
TARTAGLIONE, HAYWOOD, HUGHES, KANE, KEARNEY, STREET, SCHWANK,
COSTA, SANTARSIERO, PISCIOTTANO AND MUTH, MARCH 17, 2025
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION AND PROFESSIONAL LICENSURE,
MARCH 17, 2025
AN ACT
1 Providing for minimum energy and water efficiency standards for
2 certain products sold in this Commonwealth; imposing
3 penalties; and making repeals.
4 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
5 hereby enacts as follows:
6 Section 1. Short title.
7 This act shall be known and may be cited as the Pennsylvania
8 Energy and Water Efficiency Standards Act.
9 Section 2. General purpose, legislative findings and scope.
10 (a) General purpose.--This act establishes minimum energy
11 and water efficiency standards for certain products sold or
12 installed in this Commonwealth.
13 (b) Legislative findings.--The General Assembly finds that:
14 (1) Efficiency standards for certain products sold or
15 installed in this Commonwealth assure consumers and
16 businesses that the products meet minimum efficiency
17 performance levels, resulting in reduced energy and water
 1 waste and saving consumers and businesses money on utility
2 bills.
3 (2) Efficiency standards contribute to the economy of
4 this Commonwealth by helping to better balance supply and
5 demand for both energy and water, resulting in reduced
6 pressure that creates higher natural gas, electricity and
7 water prices. By saving consumers and businesses money on
8 utility bills, efficiency standards help the Commonwealth and
9 local economy save on utility bills that can be spent on
10 local goods and services.
11 (3) The efficiency standards save energy and thus reduce
12 pollution and other environmental impacts associated with the
13 production, distribution and use of electricity, natural gas
14 and other fuels.
15 (4) The water efficiency standards save water and thus
16 reduce the strain on the water supply. Improved water
17 efficiency can reduce or delay the need for water and sewer
18 infrastructure improvements.
19 (5) The efficiency standards can make electricity and
20 natural gas systems more reliable by reducing the strain on
21 systems during peak demand periods. Improved efficiency can
22 reduce or delay the need for new power plants, power
23 transmission lines and power distribution system upgrades as
24 well as new and expanded gas pipelines.
25 (c) Scope.--The provisions of this act apply to:
26 (1) Commercial dishwashers.
27 (2) Commercial fryers.
28 (3) Commercial hot-food holding cabinets.
29 (4) Commercial ovens.
30 (5) Commercial steam cookers.
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 1 (6) Faucets.
2 (7) Gas fireplaces.
3 (8) High CRI fluorescent lamps, cold-temperature
4 fluorescent lamps and impact-resistant fluorescent lamps.
5 (9) Portable electric spas.
6 (10) Residential ventilating fans.
7 (11) Showerheads.
8 (12) Spray sprinkler bodies.
9 (13) Urinals.
10 (14) Water closets.
11 (15) Water coolers.
12 (d) Limitation.--Nothing in this act may be construed to:
13 (1) Apply to new products manufactured in this
14 Commonwealth and sold outside of this Commonwealth.
15 (2) Apply to new products manufactured outside of this
16 Commonwealth and sold at wholesale inside this Commonwealth
17 for final retail sale and installation outside of this
18 Commonwealth.
19 (3) Apply to products installed in mobile manufactured
20 homes at the time of construction.
21 (4) Apply to products designed expressly for
22 installation and use in recreational vehicles.
23 (5) Constitute a ban on products covered under this act.
24 (6) Prohibit the use, sale or installation of used
25 products or parts.
26 Section 3. Definitions.
27 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall
28 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
29 context clearly indicates otherwise:
30 "Accessory." A component that can, at the discretion of the
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 1 user, be readily added, removed or replaced and that, when
2 removed, will not prevent the fitting from fulfilling its
3 primary function. The term includes aerators, handheld shower
4 assemblies, showerheads and in-line flow controls.
5 "Board." The Environmental Quality Board.
6 "Cold-only unit." A water cooler that emits cold water only.
7 "Cold-temperature fluorescent lamp." A fluorescent lamp that
8 is not a compact fluorescent lamp that:
9 (1) is specifically designed to start at -20°F when used
10 with a ballast conforming to the requirements of ANSI C78.81
11 and ANSI C78.901; and
12 (2) is expressly designated as a cold-temperature lamp
13 both in markings on the lamp and in marketing materials,
14 including catalogs, sales literature and promotional
15 material.
16 "Commercial dishwasher." A machine designed to clean and
17 sanitize plates, pots, pans, glasses, cups, bowls, utensils and
18 trays by applying sprays of detergent solution, with or without
19 blasting media granules, and a sanitizing rinse.
20 "Commercial fryer." An appliance, including a cooking
21 vessel, in which oil is placed to such a depth that the cooking
22 food is essentially supported by displacement of the cooking
23 fluid rather than by the bottom of the vessel. Heat is delivered
24 to the cooking fluid by means of an immersed electric element or
25 band-wrapped vessel electric fryers or by heat transfer from gas
26 burners through either the walls of the fryer or through tubes
27 passing through the cooking fluid.
28 "Commercial hot-food holding cabinet." A heated, fully
29 enclosed compartment with one or more solid or transparent
30 doors, designed to maintain the temperature of hot food that has
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 1 been cooked using a separate appliance. The term does not
2 include heated glass merchandizing cabinets, drawer warmers or
3 cook-and-hold appliances.
4 "Commercial oven." A chamber designed for heating, roasting
5 or baking food by conduction, convection, radiation or
6 electromagnetic energy.
7 "Commercial steam cooker." A device with one or more food-
8 steaming compartments in which the energy in the steam is
9 transferred to the food by direct contact. The term may include
10 countertop models, wall-mounted models and floor models mounted
11 on a stand, pedestal or cabinet-style base.
12 "Compensation." Money or any other source of value,
13 regardless of form, received or to be received by a person for
14 services rendered.
15 "Cook and cold unit." A water cooler that emits both cold
16 and room-temperature water.
17 "Decorative gas fireplace." A vented fireplace, including an
18 appliance that is freestanding, recessed, zero clearance, log
19 set or a gas fireplace insert, that is fueled by natural gas or
20 propane, is marked for decorative use only and is not equipped
21 with a thermostat or intended for use as a heater.
22 "Department." The Department of Environmental Protection of
23 the Commonwealth.
24 "Dual-flush water closet." A water closet incorporating a
25 feature that allows the user to flush the water closet with
26 either a reduced or full volume of water.
27 "EPA." The United States Environmental Protection Agency.
28 "Faucet." A private lavatory faucet, residential kitchen
29 faucet, metering faucet, public lavatory faucet or replacement
30 accessories for a public lavatory faucet or a metering faucet.
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 1 "Gas fireplace." A decorative gas fireplace or heating gas
2 fireplace.
3 "Handheld showerhead." A showerhead that can be held or
4 fixed in place for the purpose of spraying water onto a bather
5 and that is connected to a flexible hose.
6 "Heating gas fireplace." A vented fireplace, including an
7 appliance that is freestanding, recessed, zero clearance or a
8 gas fireplace insert, that is fueled by natural gas or propane
9 and which is not a decorative fireplace.
10 "High color rendering index fluorescent lamp" or "high CRI
11 fluorescent lamp." A fluorescent lamp with a color rendering
12 index of 87 or greater that is not a compact fluorescent lamp.
13 "Hot and cold unit." A water cooler that emits both hot and
14 cold water. The term includes a cooler that emits room-
15 temperature water.
16 "Impact-resistant fluorescent lamp." A fluorescent lamp that
17 is not a compact fluorescent lamp that:
18 (1) has a coating or equivalent technology that is
19 compliant with NSF/ANSI 51 and is designed to contain the
20 glass if the glass envelope of the lamp is broken; and
21 (2) is designated and marketed for the intended
22 application with:
23 (i) the designation on the lamp packaging; and
24 (ii) marketing materials that identify the lamp as
25 being impact resistant, shatter resistant, shatter proof
26 or shatter protected.
27 "Metering faucet." A self-closing faucet that dispenses a
28 specific volume of water for each actuation cycle. For the
29 purpose of this definition, the volume or cycle duration can be
30 fixed or adjustable.
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 1 "On-demand." A method of heating water in a water cooler as
2 water is requested.
3 "Plumbing fixture." An exchangeable device that connects to
4 a plumbing system to deliver and drain away water and waste.
5 "Portable electric spa." A factory-built electric spa or hot
6 tub that is supplied with equipment for heating and circulating
7 water at the time of sale or sold separately for subsequent
8 attachment.
9 "Pressure regulator." A device that maintains constant
10 operating pressure immediately downstream from the device, given
11 higher pressure upstream.
12 "Public lavatory faucet." A fitting intended to be installed
13 in nonresidential bathrooms that are exposed to walk-in traffic.
14 "Replacement accessory." A component sold as a replacement,
15 separate from a faucet to which the component is meant to be
16 attached.
17 "Replacement aerator." An aerator sold as a replacement,
18 separate from the faucet to which the aerator is intended to be
19 attached.
20 "Residential ventilating fan." A ceiling-mounted or wall-
21 mounted fan or remotely mounted in-line fan designed to be used
22 in a bathroom or utility room, whose purpose is to move air from
23 inside the building to the outdoors.
24 "Showerhead." A component or set of components distributed
25 in commerce for attachment to a single supply fitting for
26 spraying water onto a bather, typically from an overhead
27 position. The term does not include a safety showerhead. The
28 term includes a handheld showerhead that can be held or fixed in
29 place for the purpose of spraying water onto a bather from a
30 flexible hose.
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 1 "Spray sprinkler body." The exterior case or shell of a
2 sprinkler incorporating a means of connection to the piping
3 system designed to convey water to a nozzle or orifice.
4 "Storage type." The storage of thermally conditioned water
5 in a reservoir in the water cooler that is available
6 instantaneously. The term includes point-of-use, dry storage
7 compartment and bottled water coolers.
8 "Trough-type urinal." A urinal designed for simultaneous use
9 by two or more individuals.
10 "Urinal." A plumbing fixture that receives only liquid body
11 waste and conveys the waste through a trap into a drainage
12 system.
13 "Water closet." A plumbing fixture having a water-containing
14 receptor that receives liquid and solid body waste through an
15 exposed integral trap into a drainage system. The term includes
16 a dual-flush water closet.
17 "Water cooler." A freestanding device that consumes energy
18 to cool or heat potable water.
19 "WaterSense." A partnership program by the United States
20 Environmental Protection Agency and independent, third-party
21 licensed certifying bodies that certify products for EPA
22 criteria for water efficiency and performance by following
23 testing and certification protocols specific to each product
24 category and bear the WaterSense label under 42 U.S.C. § 6294
25 (relating to labeling).
26 Section 4. Standards.
27 (a) Regulations.--Not later than one year after the
28 effective date of this subsection, the board shall promulgate
29 regulations, in accordance with the provisions of section 502 of
30 the act of June 28, 1995 (P.L.89, No.18), known as the
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 1 Conservation and Natural Resources Act, establishing minimum
2 efficiency standards for the types of new products listed in
3 section 2.
4 (b) Minimum standards.--The regulations shall provide for
5 the following minimum efficiency standards:
6 (1) Commercial dishwashers included in the scope of
7 version 3.0 of the EPA's "Energy Star Program Requirements
8 Product Specification for Commercial Dishwashers" shall meet
9 the qualification criteria of that specification.
10 (2) Commercial fryers included in the scope of version
11 2.0 of the EPA's "Energy Star Program Requirements Product
12 Specification for Commercial Fryers" shall meet the
13 qualification criteria of that specification.
14 (3) Commercial hot-food holding cabinets shall meet the
15 qualification criteria of version 2.0 of the EPA's "Energy
16 Star Program Requirements Product Specification for
17 Commercial Hot Food Holding Cabinets."
18 (4) Commercial ovens included in the scope of version
19 3.0 of the EPA's "Energy Star Program Requirements Product
20 Specification for Commercial Ovens" shall meet the
21 qualification criteria of that specification.
22 (5) Commercial steam cookers shall meet the requirements
23 of version 1.2 of the EPA's "Energy Star Program Requirements
24 Product Specification for Commercial Steam Cookers."
25 (6) Faucets, except for metering faucets, shall meet the
26 following standards when tested in accordance with 10 CFR Pt.
27 430 Appendix S to Subpt. B (relating to uniform test method
28 for measuring the water consumption of faucets and
29 showerheads):
30 (i) Private lavatory faucets and lavatory faucet
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 1 replacement accessories included in the scope of the
2 WaterSense specification for lavatory faucets, version
3 1.0, shall meet a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gallons per
4 minute and meet the performance criteria and other
5 certification criteria of that specification.
6 (ii) Residential kitchen faucets and replacement
7 aerators shall not exceed a maximum flow rate of 1.8
8 gallons per minute at 60 pounds per square inch, with
9 optional temporary flow of 2.2 gallons per minute,
10 provided that the faucets and aerators default to a
11 maximum flow rate of 1.8 gallons per minute at 60 pounds
12 per square inch after each use.
13 (iii) Public lavatory faucets and replacement
14 aerators may not exceed a maximum flow rate of 0.5
15 gallons per minute at 60 pounds per square inch.
16 (iv) Metering faucets shall not exceed a volumetric
17 measure of water of 0.20 gallons per activation cycle and
18 shall have no maximum flow rate, specified in gallons per
19 minute, when tested in accordance with Clause 5.4.2.3.1 B
20 of American Society of Mechanical Engineers A112.18.1/CSA
21 B125.1.
22 (7) Gas fireplaces shall comply with the following
23 requirements:
24 (i) Gas fireplaces shall be capable of automatically
25 extinguishing a pilot flame when the main gas burner
26 flame is extinguished.
27 (ii) Gas fireplaces shall prevent an ignition source
28 for the main gas burner flame from operating continuously
29 for more than seven days from last use of the main gas
30 burner.
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 1 (iii) Heating gas fireplaces shall have a fireplace
2 efficiency equal to or greater than 50% when tested in
3 accordance with CSA P.4.1:15, "Testing Method For
4 Measuring Fireplace Efficiency," as amended or revised.
5 (8) High CRI fluorescent lamps, cold-temperature
6 fluorescent lamps and impact-resistant fluoresc