In a surprise move, an appliance manufacturers group has teamed with energy efficiency and environmental groups to push for significantly beefed-up efficiency standards for refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, air conditioners and dishwashers. Here’s why: Efficiency upgrades are bundled with:
- The hope for a 3-year extension of the manufacturers’ tax credit
- A petition this month to the ENERGY STAR program that asks for a 5% credit to the required energy levels for smart-grid enabled appliances
- Recommendations that the Department of Energy improve test methods for dryers and refrigerators
The appliance group – the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers or AHAM – represents manufacturers that account for 95% of the major appliances shipped in the U.S., including:
- Electrolux
- General Electric
- LG Electronics
- Miele
- Samsung
- Sharp Electronics
- Sub-Zero/Wolf
- Viking Range
- Whirlpool