October 2008
A standard intended to be gold
Energy Star grew out of efforts by the federal government to forge a set of nationwide guidelines and create a logo that clearly
indicates energy-efficient products. "Prior to Energy Star," Amann says, "different states and utilities had their own symbols.
It was confusing for anyone trying to promote energy efficiency."
Today, more than 70 percent of U.S. consumers are aware of the logo affixed to Energy Star appliances, the EPA says. "You know you're getting some level of energy efficiency beyond the average when you see the logo," Amann says.
Energy Star often raises standards, as it did in 2007 for washers. Recent revisions include the Modified Energy Factor, which accounts for how much water a washer leaves in a washed load and is the best measure of the energy it takes to wash and dry a load.
Even as Energy Star has modernized, it is not nimble enough, critics say. The Consumer Federation of America, the NRDC, and many states say federal officials must do a better job creating and enforcing tougher standards to prevent appliances and electronic devices from getting the Energy Star when they shouldn't.
"If a manufacturer wants to claim it has a refrigerator that meets Energy Star, should it be allowed to use a test procedure that lets it say things it ought to know aren't going to be true for how consumers will use the product?" Goldstein asks. "Companies shouldn't get to hide behind test procedures."
In our own tests, we've seen large differences between the energy use we found for three LG and two Samsung Energy Star French-door models with through-the-door ice and water dispensers and the use claimed on their EnergyGuide labels.
A reason for such discrepancies in Energy Star appliances is that DOE testing procedures didn't anticipate French-door models with ice-making compartments in the refrigerated section. Manufacturers of that type of French-door refrigerator needed a waiver to be able to sell their models in this country.
We've also found through our tests that although the EnergyGuide labels on French-door models from three manufacturers state comparable energy-use figures, there are greater differences among the products.
In a June 2008 meeting with Consumers Union representatives, David E. Rodgers, the DOE's deputy assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency in the Office of Technology Development, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, acknowledged that federal test procedures are outdated.
Our tests have revealed problems with other DOE protocols. The DOE test for dishwasher energy used to involve washing clean dishes. In our tests, we've always used a full load of heavily soiled dishes. That demanding workout provides a better gauge of how much energy dishwashers consume when you don't prerinse dishes. Today manufacturers must test a mix of moderately, lightly, and barely soiled dishes.
Self-testing and self-reporting by manufacturers can create other problems. The Energy Star Haier ESAD4066 air conditioner lists a 12.0 Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). When we had a recognized outside lab test an ESAD4066 model according to DOE tests, the lab measured a significantly lower 10.9 EER, borderline for Energy Star.
And when our tests showed that Haier's HD656E dehumidifier removed less water per day than the claimed 65 pints, we had the same lab test it under DOE protocols. The analysis showed that it produced 51.9 pints a day, squeaking by for Energy Star appliance status.
Today, more than 70 percent of U.S. consumers are aware of the logo affixed to Energy Star appliances, the EPA says. "You know you're getting some level of energy efficiency beyond the average when you see the logo," Amann says.
Energy Star often raises standards, as it did in 2007 for washers. Recent revisions include the Modified Energy Factor, which accounts for how much water a washer leaves in a washed load and is the best measure of the energy it takes to wash and dry a load.
Even as Energy Star has modernized, it is not nimble enough, critics say. The Consumer Federation of America, the NRDC, and many states say federal officials must do a better job creating and enforcing tougher standards to prevent appliances and electronic devices from getting the Energy Star when they shouldn't.
"If a manufacturer wants to claim it has a refrigerator that meets Energy Star, should it be allowed to use a test procedure that lets it say things it ought to know aren't going to be true for how consumers will use the product?" Goldstein asks. "Companies shouldn't get to hide behind test procedures."
In our own tests, we've seen large differences between the energy use we found for three LG and two Samsung Energy Star French-door models with through-the-door ice and water dispensers and the use claimed on their EnergyGuide labels.
A reason for such discrepancies in Energy Star appliances is that DOE testing procedures didn't anticipate French-door models with ice-making compartments in the refrigerated section. Manufacturers of that type of French-door refrigerator needed a waiver to be able to sell their models in this country.
We've also found through our tests that although the EnergyGuide labels on French-door models from three manufacturers state comparable energy-use figures, there are greater differences among the products.
In a June 2008 meeting with Consumers Union representatives, David E. Rodgers, the DOE's deputy assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency in the Office of Technology Development, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, acknowledged that federal test procedures are outdated.
Our tests have revealed problems with other DOE protocols. The DOE test for dishwasher energy used to involve washing clean dishes. In our tests, we've always used a full load of heavily soiled dishes. That demanding workout provides a better gauge of how much energy dishwashers consume when you don't prerinse dishes. Today manufacturers must test a mix of moderately, lightly, and barely soiled dishes.
Self-testing and self-reporting by manufacturers can create other problems. The Energy Star Haier ESAD4066 air conditioner lists a 12.0 Energy Efficiency Rating (EER). When we had a recognized outside lab test an ESAD4066 model according to DOE tests, the lab measured a significantly lower 10.9 EER, borderline for Energy Star.
And when our tests showed that Haier's HD656E dehumidifier removed less water per day than the claimed 65 pints, we had the same lab test it under DOE protocols. The analysis showed that it produced 51.9 pints a day, squeaking by for Energy Star appliance status.
Posted: September 2008 — Consumer Reports Magazine issue: October 2008
