The new rules released by the Department of Energy last week state that manufacturers will have to increase the energy efficiency of most refrigerators by 25 percent starting in 2014.
The rules, which DOE is expected to finalize by year’s end, will reduce the energy use of a typical 20 cubic-foot top mount refrigerator to about 390 kilowatt hours (kwh) per year, down from about 900 kwh/year in 1990 and about 1,700 kwh/year in the early 1970s. (energy.gov)
The new rules are requiring manufacturers to also have ice-maker energy consumption information on the energy-use ratings to give consumers a more accurate gauge of energy consumption with each unit. Refrigerators are one of six categories including freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers and room air conditioners that were targeted for higher-efficiency standards.
For more information, visit the Department of Energy’s homepage.
-Nick E.
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