Whirlpool Gets Highest Energy Star Rating
Benton Harbor-based Whirlpool Corp. (NYSE: WHR) Monday was awarded the 2011 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
The award recognizes the company's leadership in offering consumers energy and water efficiency through its leading home appliance brands.
Whirlpool was the only appliance manufacturer to receive the Sustained Excellence award, the highest possible Energy Star award. This is the company's 12th top Energy Star award and sixth consecutive Sustained Excellence win.
Whirlpool has been honored with 23 Energy Star awards overall, more than any other appliance manufacturer.
According to a Whirlpool Corporation survey conducted in conjunction with Harris Interactive, energy efficiency is more important than ever in the purchase decision of consumers shopping for major appliances. The majority of U.S. consumers -- 72 percent -- said they actively look for the Energy Star label when making purchasing decisions. When asked what would be a part of their dream kitchen, eco-efficient appliances beat out other items as the top choice.
Whirlpool offers some of the most water and energy efficient products on the market, in the kitchen and the laundry room and across all price points.
Replacing a washer made before 2000 with a new Energy Star model can save up to $135 annually according to the United States Department of Energy. Whirlpool offers both front- and top-load high-efficiency washers. For example, The Whirlpool Vantage washer uses an impeller with a low water wash system and uses 76 percent less water and 75 percent less energy when compared to pre-2004 conventional washers. The new premium front-load Whirlpool brand Duet washer and dryer with exclusive 6th Sense technology uses as little as 11.5 gallons of water per load and exceeds the minimum federal standard for energy selling requirements by more than 160 percent, on average.
Replacing a refrigerator made before 2000 with a new Energy Star model can save approximately $40 annually, according to the DOE. The Whirlpool brand offers the industry's most energy efficient side-by-side refrigerator and the Maytag brand offers the industry's most efficient four-door refrigerator. By exceeding efficiency standards by 30 percent, these refrigerators exceeds the EPA's Energy Star guidelines, helping consumers reduce their family's carbon footprint. These models also use less energy than a 60-watt light bulb and are the most energy efficient side-by-side and four-door refrigerators ever. The Maytag and Whirlpool brands also offer the most energy efficient French-door bottom mount refrigerators available among leading brands.
Replacing a dishwasher made before 2000 with a new Energy Star model can save approximately $50 annually, according to the DOE. At 56 percent greater efficiency than the minimum federal energy standards, Superba EQ models from KitchenAid are the best dishwashers ever from the brand that pioneered home dishwashers 60 years ago. Tests show they perform better and dry better than competitive models and are the quietest dishwashers in the industry. Whirlpool brand offers the most efficient dishwashers with an manufacturer's suggested retail price of $399 and below.
"We believe in and support the Energy Star program because of the value it offers consumers," said Tom Catania, vice president of government relations at Whirlpool. "We have and will continue to do our part in upholding the integrity of the Energy Star program."
More at www.whirlpoolcorp.com. Whirlpool will observe its 100th birthday as a business this Nov. 11.
