Appliance Design - November 2008 - (Page 10)

NEWS WATCH SOLAR ASSISTED HVAC. Dallas-based SHOOTING AT THE STAR The October 2008 issue of Consumer Reports magazine contains a report that blasts the federal government’s Energy Star program, saying that the program’s standards are lax and out of date. The report said that the percent of products that qualify for Energy Star is increasing because standards are too easy to reach and federal test procedures haven’t kept pace with new technology. In addition, the magazine said its tests found that the energy consumption claims reported on some products’ EnergyGuide label significantly understate what consumers are likely to experience. The magazine’s report also cites the lack of independent verification as another flaw in the 16-year-old voluntary program that is administered by the DOE and EPA and covers more than 50 product categories. The report says that many companies self-certify that their products comply with the standards, but that the DOE does not actually test the products for compliance. Consumers Union, which publishes Consumer Reports, made some recommendations for improving the Energy Star program, including: Testing procedures should be brought in line with the technology available in consumer products. The DOE and EPA should more frequently review procedures and standards as new technology and products hit the market. The DOE should require some independent verification of test results. The program should consider a graded qualifying system that uses letters. Federal officials need to better police companies and enforce standards, including increasing spot checks of Energy Starqualified products. < Lennox Industries unveiled SunSource, an integrated solar-assisted residential heating and cooling system that will be available to the public in 2009. The system integrates solar power by using a single 190 W solar panel that provides power to assist the fan motor move air across the outdoor coil. Even on days with limited sun exposure, the SunSource takes advantage of the available solar resources and reduces energy usage, the company says. The company is evaluating how to integrate solar power into other components of a typical home comfort system, including indoor motors, compressors, indoor air quality products, and thermostats. Louisville Gas and Electric Company to help consumers manage their utility bills by enabling them to avoid peak hour energy usage. In the first quarter of 2009, GE will introduce a suite of Energy Management Enabled Appliances able to accept a signal from the local utility. The appliances will receive the control message and react based on the appliance internal programming. It requires no consumer interaction. EURO TECH CENTER. Deere & Co., Moline, Ill., plans to establish a European Technology & Innovation Center in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The facility is scheduled to open in the spring of 2010. It will accommodate up to 200 engineers who will focus on developing and applying new technology. In addition, the center will provide engineering support for Deere’s work in intelligent mobile equipment technologies and agricultural management solutions. KITCHEN BRANDS RATED. Bosch, Kenmore Elite, LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool Gold rank highest in satisfying customers with major kitchen appliances, according to J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Kitchen Appliances Study. For the third consecutive year, Bosch ranks highest in customer satisfaction with dishwashers. Samsung, for the fourth year in a row, ranks highest in side-by-side and French door style refrigerators. For freezer-on-top style refrigerators, Kenmore Elite ranked highest in customer satisfaction. Whirlpool Gold ranked highest among freestanding range brands, which contain both a range and oven and are not built into the countertop. Finally, LG ranked highest in satisfying consumers with built-in cooktops and wall ovens. PHONE STARTS CAR. A mobile phone now has the capability to start a car. The carmaker Nissan Motor, mobile network operator NTT DOCOMO, and electronics giant Sharp, have developed a phone that functions as a key for automobiles. The device incorporates Nissan’s Intelligent Key system, which is a standard feature installed in more than 950,000 cars since 2002. It employs two-way wireless communications technology that can automatically unlock/lock the car door and start/stop the engine. Nissan and Sharp has now integrated the technologies into the new handset. The three firms will continue to develop the product with an aim for commercial distribution in early fiscal year 2009. Sound damping disposer mount. QUIET GRINDING. Grind More, Hear SMART APPLIANCES. GE Consumer & Industrial will collaborate with Less, is the theme for the InSinkErator Evolution Series waste disposers, which were designed to be 60 percent quieter than in the past. Part of the noise reduction comes from the use of an anti-vibration mount assembly that provides both sealing and sound damping. InSinkErator worked with Minnesota Rubber and Plastics, Minneapolis, to develop the elastomeric and stainless steel component. The supplier custom-formulated the elastomer to meet the OEM’s specifications. 10 applianceDESIGN November 2008 www.applianceDESIGN.com http://www.appliancedesign.com

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Appliance Design - November 2008 Contents Editorial Shipments/Forecasts News Watch Metals & Metal Parts Gas Technology Displays Quality & Standards New Products Design Marts Association Report: AHAM Advertiser's Index

Appliance Design - November 2008

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