A high-stakes policy reversal at the Department of Energy is being hailed as a lifeline for Georgia manufacturing jobs and consumer appliance choice as Secretary Chris Wright visits Rinnai America.
At a Glance
- The DOE, led by Chris Wright, has postponed Biden-era rules affecting consumer appliances
- A Rinnai tankless water heater model, facing rule challenges, is notably more efficient than standard gas tanks
- Congressman Brian Jack significantly aided Rinnai, preserving over 200 jobs
- Rinnai America Corporation is the only U.S. manufacturer of non-condensing tankless water heaters
Energy Policy Revision at Rinnai America
Secretary of Energy Chris Wright is set to visit Rinnai America’s manufacturing facility in Griffin, Georgia, on May 2 to mark the Trump administration’s 100-day milestone in office. The visit emphasizes a sweeping rollback of Biden-era appliance efficiency regulations that threatened Rinnai’s domestic operations. The Department of Energy recently paused implementation of rules that would have effectively banned non-condensing tankless water heaters—a flagship product for Rinnai America.
Rinnai executives argued the proposed regulations would have shuttered their production line and led to widespread layoffs. The rule reversal aligns with the Trump administration’s push to protect consumer choice and domestic industry. Wright’s visit is part of a broader initiative branded as “Unleashing American Energy Victories,” aimed at spotlighting regulatory reversals that bolster U.S. manufacturing. Read more at the U.S. Department of Energy.
Watch local news coverage of Wright’s visit to Rinnai.
Impact on Manufacturing and Jobs
Frank Windsor, President of Rinnai America, praised the administration’s decision, crediting Congressman Brian Jack for bringing the issue to the DOE’s attention. “He helped preserve over 200 jobs and substantial investment in our two-year-old factory in Griffin, Georgia. He made it happen,” Windsor said in a statement.
DOE officials also confirmed plans to introduce a new product category for tankless water heaters, allowing for continued innovation without forcing manufacturers to abandon proven, efficient technologies. Rinnai’s non-condensing heaters are notably more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional gas tanks, challenging the need for the now-suspended regulation.
National Significance
The Biden-era rule was part of a broader federal strategy to phase out older appliance models in favor of ultra-efficient alternatives. Critics, however, said the rule failed to account for performance realities and market costs. Wright’s decision to suspend the rule signals a sharp pivot toward deregulatory governance and economic nationalism.
For Rinnai and similar manufacturers, the policy shift not only preserves jobs but also reaffirms confidence in the domestic appliance market. As the Trump administration continues to rollback environmental and energy restrictions, officials say the goal is to balance innovation with market freedom—especially for legacy manufacturers facing foreign competition.
The implications stretch beyond one product line or one factory: the visit and the rule reversal set a precedent for how energy policy may be shaped for years to come.
