Enacts new Part 32A, North Carolina Appliance Efficiency Standards Act, in Article 7 of GS Chapter 143B, providing as follows. Designates the Department of Environmental Quality, State Energy Office (Office), as the lead State agency in matters pertaining to appliance standards and gives the Office the following powers and duties: (1) to periodically inspect distributors or retailers of new appliances in order to determine compliance, allows working with the the Department of Insurance to coordinate inspections for new products that are also covered by the State Building Code and (2) to investigate complaints received concerning violations of this Part and to report the results to the Attorney General, who may institute proceedings to enforce this Part. Sets out four categories of exemptions, but otherwise makes the new Part applicable to the testing, certification, and enforcement of efficiency standards for lamps and for the following types of new lamps or appliances (many of which are defined in Part) that are sold, offered for sale, or installed in the State: (1) commercial hot food holding cabinets, (2) computers and computer monitors,  (3) state-regulated general service lamps, (4) state-regulated incandescent reflector lamps, (5) high CRI (color rendering index) fluorescent lamps, (6) portable electric spas, (7) water coolers, (8) residential ventilating fans, (9) commercial ovens, (10) commercial dishwashers, (11) commercial fryers, (12) commercial steam cookers, and (13) electric vehicle supply equipment. Prohibits the sale or installation of new appliances that are in this list on or after January 1, 2023, unless the energy efficiency of the appliance meets or exceeds the standards in this Part. Prohibits installing a new lamp in the listed items in a building other than a residence on or after January 1, 2024, unless the energy efficiency of the lamp meets or exceeds the standards established by the Office, which is allowed to adopt rules to establish exemptions for certain lamps used for specified purposes.

Prohibits any new commercial dishwasher, commercial fryer, commercial hot food holding cabinet, commercial oven, commercial steam cooker, computer or computer monitor, electric vehicle supply equipment, faucet, high CRI fluorescent lamp, portable electric spa, residential ventilating fan, showerhead, spray sprinkler body, urinal, water closet, or water cooler from being sold or offered for sale, lease, or rent in the state unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards set forth in the regulations adopted under this act. Prohibits selling a State-regulated general service or incandescent reflector lamp unless the efficiency of the new product meets or exceeds the efficiency standards provided under this act. Sets out the minimum efficiency standards for each of these items. 

Requires the Office to adopt procedures for testing the energy efficiency of the appliances and lamps covered by this Part if such procedures are not provided for in any other applicable code. Specifies the methods that are to be used by the Office. Requires manufacturers to test samples according to the testing procedures. If products are found to be out of compliance with the efficiency standards, the Office must charge the manufacturer for the cost of product purchase and testing and give the public information on products found not to be in compliance with the standards. 

Requires manufacturers of covered appliances and lamps to certify to the Commissioner that such appliances and lamps are in compliance. Requires the Commissioner to develop regulation for certification and publish a list annually of certified appliances and lamps. Sets out requirements for certification and exempts single voltage external AC to DC power supplies. Requires manufacturers to identify products for sale or for installation in the State as in compliance with a mark, label, or tag. Requires the Office to develop rules governing the from of identification and sets out additional parameters governing the identification. Requires the Office, in consultation with other states, product manufacturers, and other interested parties, to study and evaluate the usefulness and effectiveness of markings for incandescent reflector lamps and general service lamps.

Deems failure to comply with this Part to be an unfair or deceptive act, with violations punishable by a civil penalty. Specifies that each violation constitutes a separate offense, and each day such violation continues constitutes a separate offense.

Makes the above provisions effective January 1, 2023, except that the portions regulating lamps become effective January 1, 2024.

Allows the Office to adopt temporary rules and requires the adoption of permanent rules to implement this act.