Expansion Management

We Have Standards You Know

Aug. 14, 2010

Standards for determining if your home appliance is truly green, that is.

Earlier this week, The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers joined with CSA Standards and UL Environment to develop voluntary sustainability standards for home appliances.

They hope that this will provide consumers with an "objective and practical measurement tool" in order to evaluate just how environmentally-friendly our appliances truly are.

While energy consumption is key, the groups will also employ a life cycle approach to identify and measure other significant environmental aspects.

Earlier this month the Association joined with other groups to improved efficiency standards and tax policies for refrigerators, freezers, clothes washers, clothes dryers, dishwashers and room air conditioners.

The proposed plans could save enough energy to meet the total energy needs of 40% of American homes for one year and the amount of water necessary to meet the current water needs of every customer in the City of Los Angeles for 25 years, according to the association.

Furthermore global warming CO2 will be reduced by 550 million metric tons over the same time period, without considering the emissions reductions from smart appliances.

The groups have called for new national minimum efficiency standards, production tax credits for super-efficient appliances and inclusion of "smart grid" readiness as a feature of future ENERGY STAR qualified appliances.

To learn more about this proposal click here

About the Author

Adrienne Selko Blog | Senior Editor

Focus: Expansion Management & the Biotech & Life Sciences Industries

Email: [email protected]

Follow Adrienne on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Call: 216-931-9235

Senior Editor Adrienne Selko manages IndustryWeek’s Expansion Management, delivering ideas and information about how successful manufacturers leverage location to gain competitive advantage. She explores the strategies behind why companies located their headquarters, research institutes, factories, warehouse and distribution centers and other facilities where they did, and how they benefit from the decision.

Adrienne is also the editorial coordinator of the IndustryWeek Expansion Management Roundtable events, which unites economic development professionals to network and discuss the latest trends in site location.

As well, Adrienne tells the stories of successful companies in the biotechnology and life sciences industries.

In the past, Adrienne has managed IndustryWeek’s award-winning website, overseeing eNewletters, webinars, and contributed content. Before joining the staff, Adrienne was managing editor of corporate publications at a large regional financial institution. She also ran a public relations and marketing company that published a best-selling healthcare book.

Adrienne received a bachelor’s of business administration from the University of Michigan and is especially interested in wellness and natural health.