LITTLE ROCK — Those yellow labels on appliances that declare how much power they’ll use and show you how much you’ll save because of their energy efficiency?
They may not be as truthful as you think.
Because of that doubt, the U.S. Department of Energy recently told appliance makers that by Jan. 8 they must provide more accurate information on their products’ energy use. And it promised to take a tougher stance in the future to enforce energy efficiency standards.
The energy-use information on such products as refrigerators, dishwashers and air conditioners is primarily used to certify that the products meet minimum energy efficiency standards.
Appliance makers have used the efficiency labels for years in the marketing and advertising of their products. But the energy department said a review of previous filings for the labels found instances of missing or incorrect information.
After an information-gathering period, the department said, expedited testing will be started to help determine whether appliances deliver the energy efficiency they’re supposed to.
Manufacturers that fall short could be fined.
“We will move forward aggressively in the weeks and months ahead,” said Jen Stutsman, a department spokesman.
The Department of Energy’s move comes as the Obama administration pushes energy efficiency and home weatherization, both for the energy savings and as a boost to the economy. A proposed “cash for caulkers” program was announced Dec. 15 and there are already incentives for consumers who buy efficient appliances.
Electric utilities planning for the future are increasingly testing energy-saving air conditioners, heat pumps and other appliances that would reduce demand and limit the number of power plants they’ll have to build.
But the interest in energy efficiency has also broughtcalls for better information about the products. The National Academy of Sciences on Dec. 16 issued a report saying that energy efficiency could reduce energy use by 20 percent by 2020.
But it also said there were obstacles to overcome for that to happen, including a shortage of “trustworthy” information for consumers about energy savings for energy-efficient products.
Energy efficiency has actually improved dramatically over the years. A new refrigerator supposedly uses about one-third of the energy of one built in 1974.
Reaction to the Energy Department’s moves has received support from those who hopethey will eliminate confusion and ensure that all products are judged in a similar way.
Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports, has been particularly skeptical of the manufacturers’ energy use figures.
Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor of the magazine, said the manufacturers have done the testing and basically certified their own products.
Until recently, manufacturers were not even required to use dirty dishes in their dishwasher tests.
HomeStyle, Pages 32 on 12/26/2009