Manufacturers agree to trim appliance energy use in return for tax credits

Major appliance manufacturers and energy-efficiency advocates reached an agreement last August to improve efficiency standards for refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, dishwashers, and room air-conditioners.

The pact, negotiated without federal government involvement, adheres to recommendations made in studies conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy. And the accord calls for tax credits to enable manufacturers to meet the set goals by 2014.

As agreed, the standards will save more than nine quads of energy over 30 years, or roughly enough to meet the total energy needs of 40%o of American homes for one year, a spokesperson for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers claims.

The agreed upon water efficiency standards for washers and dishwashers also will save about five trillion gallons over 30 years, or approx. the amount of water necessary to meet the current water needs of every customer in the City of Los Angeles for 25 years.

And carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions blamed for global warming will be reduced by 550 million metric tons over the same time period, without considering the emissions reductions from smart appliances; equivalent to taking 100 million of today’s typical cars off the road for a year.