Energy Manager

News Residential
New energy efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dishwashers

May 16, 2012 - The U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) today announced what it calls “common-sense energy efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dishwashers that will save consumers $20 billion in energy and water costs”.

May 17, 2012  By  Anthony Capkun


The new standards for both clothes washers and dishwashers were informed by feedback from manufacturers, consumer groups and environmental advocates. The washers standard announced is expected to save households about $350 over the life of the appliance while offering consumers a variety of machine choices. The standards for home dishwashers are expected to translate into about 15% less energy use and over 20% less water use.

“DoE’s implementation of these new standards reflects the consensus agreement reached by stakeholders. It will result in tremendous energy savings for the consumer while preserving product choice and minimizing manufacturer impact,” said Joseph McGuire, president of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers.

“Clothes washer and dishwasher energy efficiency has improved dramatically over the past two decades while also improving clothes washing performance and maintaining dish washing performance,” said Steve Nadel, executive director of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). “These improvements have been driven by a combination of manufacturer and utility efforts, Energy Star, federal tax incentives and minimum efficiency standards. We support the new DOE minimum efficiency standards which will raise the floor, helping to spur further efficiency improvements.”

The new standards—developed in partnership with companies like Whirlpool, General Electric and LG Electronics, industry advocates, national environmental organizations, consumer groups and other stakeholders—build on previous minimum energy efficiency requirements for clothes washers and dishwashers, and go into effect starting in 2015 and 2013, respectively.

Advertisement

Print this page

Advertisement

Stories continue below