Appliance Design - March 2009 - (Page 8)

NEwS watch a kitchen package that offers an assortment of kitchen appliances, including a microwave oven and a refrigerator. ware revenues are expected to grow 18 percent to nearly $15 billion. The updated sales and forecast report also shows consumers are turning to smartphones as their mobile phone of choice. Smartphone revenues are projected to grow almost 20 percent to $13.6 billion, which represents more than 60 percent of total handset revenues. ergy Star label. Using one of five specified water heating technologies, Energy Star qualified water heaters can reduce water heating bills from 7.5 percent to as much as 55 percent. In five years, the new water heater criteria are expected to save Americans consumers $823 million in utility costs, avoid 4.2 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, and achieve cumulative energy savings of more than 3.9 billion kwH-hours and 270 million therms of natural gas. The five water heating technologies are high-efficiency gas storage water heaters; gas condensing water heaters; whole-home gas tankless water heaters; heat pump water heaters; and solar water heaters. By adding these appliances, the DOE now has an Energy Star program that addresses every major residential appliance found in most American homes. hOME cODE EMBRacED. The International Code Council (ICC) voted to support the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) despite the code falling short of a 30 percent efficiency goal set by government agencies and the Energy Efficient Codes Council (EECC). The code is expected to be significantly more efficient than its 2006 counterpart, according to an analysis conducted by ICF International, a research firm. The analysis estimates that homes built to the 2009 IECC standards can save between 12.2 and 14.7 percent. Among the codes provisions are calls for the use of more efficient heating and cooling equipment and high-efficiency lighting. The EECC plans to continue working on the code and in May 2010 hopes to propose revisions that would improve energy savings and achieve the group’s 30 percent goal. For more information, visit www.thirtypercentsolution.org. ahR attendees learn about advances in indoor-air quality. hVac/R ShOw hOt. UL REStRUctURED. cE SaLES FLat. Despite the turbulent economy, the 61st AHR Expo, held in Chicago from Jan. 26-28, was among its biggest events of all-time. More than 54,000 registered HVAC/R professionals, including nearly 35,000 attendees and more than 19,000 exhibitor personnel. More than 1,900 companies exhibited at the show. Consumer electronics sales are projected to reach $171 billion in 2009, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. This represents a 0.6 percent decrease as compared to 2008 when shipments increased 5.4 percent to $172 billion. The industry’s primary revenue driver continues to be digital TV displays, representing 15 percent of the total. Unit shipments of DTVs will approach 35 million in 2009, an increase of about 6 percent over 2008 shipments. LCD displays remain the top choice among consumers, representing 77 percent of total DTV units. With the format war now settled, Blu-ray players are expected to see major growth in 2009 and surpass $1.2 billion. Gaming is also a growing industry segment that is anticipated to grow 11 percent to nearly $22 billion. Software continues to drive the gaming market, helped by a growing installed base of next-generation consoles. Gaming soft- LG SYNERGY. LG Electronics USA, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., has consolidated its home appliance and consumer electronics businesses and brings together both businesses under a common umbrella. The company created a new sales division and a new marketing division. Leading the consolidated sales team is John Herrington, in his new role as president, sales, while the combined marketing organization is led by Peter Reiner, senior vice president, marketing and strategy. Logistics and supply chain functions for consumer electronics and appliances have been consolidated under Kevin Holian, vice president, supply chain. Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Northbrook, Ill., has reorganized into five operating units. The units are: Product Safety; UL University; Environmental Services; Life and Health Sciences; and Verification Services. The Product Safety unit encompasses UL’s traditional testing and certification business. UL University offers education, training, and technical expertise about product safety. The UL Environment unit, which will be based in Europe, provides environmental claims validation and certification. Life and Health Sciences comprises UL’s existing medical, water, and food business units. The Verification Services unit, based in Asia, provides performance testing, inspection, and auditing on a global basis. SEt tOP StaR. watER hEatER’S StaR. Residential water heaters can now carry the U.S. Department of Energy’s En- New cable, satellite, and telecommunications set-top boxes that are at least 30 percent more energy efficient than conventional models can earn the Energy Star label. The new specification became effective Jan.1. EPA worked with cable, satellite, and telecommunications companies that deliver television and video content to homes via set-top boxes to develop the standard. 8 applianceDESIGN March 2009 www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.thirtypercentsolution.org http://www.thirtypercentsolution.org http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - March 2009 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Transmitting Power Wirelessly Promises to Reduce the Ever-Growing Tangle of Cords and Cables Found in the Modern Home. There Are Different Technological Approaches for Achieving this Goal, and Some Are Already on the Market. Electrochemical Capacitors Can Provide an Extra Peak-Power Boost in Battery-Operated Appliances, Allowing Product Designs to Have Smaller Battery Packs. Metallic Foams Put the Properties of Metals into Lightweight Packages. Applications for this Emerging Technology Include Gas Burners, Heat Exchangers, and Electronics Housings. Hall-Effect Switches Are Compact and Provide a High Degree of Reliability and Durability as They Virtually Eliminate Mechanical Wear, Shock, and Contact Oxidation. Blowing Agents for Polyurethane Foam Insulation Face Increased Scrutiny Due to Global Warming Concerns, but Alternatives with Lower GWP Values May Provide Solutions to Meet These Challenges. Design Marts Association Report: AHAM Advertisers' Index

Appliance Design - March 2009

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