Comments on: Critics Say Energy Star Standards Too Lax http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/10/06/critics-say-energy-star-standards-too-lax/ Environmental Leader Mon, 13 Feb 2012 13:58:47 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Jack Pouchet http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/10/06/critics-say-energy-star-standards-too-lax/comment-page-1/#comment-78891 Jack Pouchet Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:53:19 +0000 http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/10/06/critics-say-energy-star-standards-too-lax/#comment-78891 One has to wonder exactly what the Samsung and LG Electronics Ethics in Business policy looks like because regardless of the change to the EPA test procedure the common assumption within the appliance industry is that an ice-maker equipped refrigerator/freezer unit would indeed be used by the end consumer. To merely pass it off as “complying with the test procedure” is highly suspect. Did Samsung and LG Electronics boldly label their appliances with a disclaimer or warning that the energy consumption “yellow tag” that came with their appliance was not indicative of the configuration shipped? Their practice of deception is no different than if Ford or GM performed an EPA test on a vehicle with a 4-cylinder engine and after achieving 30 MPG highway sold all such vehicles with a V-8 but kept the 30 MPG rating. Would the public and government scream FOUL? Yes they would. The EPA needs to tighten up their test procedure so appliances are tested as configured, options and all. In the mean time Samsung and LG Electronics should recall all of their defective (not meeting published specifications on the EPA Yellow Tag) appliances and replace them with ones that do meet the published specifications. No wonder States like California are not seeing the full benefit of their refrigerator incentive programs. People are willingly upgrading appliances in the hopes of saving energy only to line the deep pockets of global giants, raid the coffers of the utility rate-payer efficiency incentive funds, and choke-up our landfills with old appliances that may well have been a better energy play left plugged-in. Samsung and LG Electronics – its time to act ethically and responsibly. Clean up the energy nightmare that you foisted on an unsuspecting public. One has to wonder exactly what the Samsung and LG Electronics Ethics in Business policy looks like because regardless of the change to the EPA test procedure the common assumption within the appliance industry is that an ice-maker equipped refrigerator/freezer unit would indeed be used by the end consumer. To merely pass it off as “complying with the test procedure” is highly suspect. Did Samsung and LG Electronics boldly label their appliances with a disclaimer or warning that the energy consumption “yellow tag” that came with their appliance was not indicative of the configuration shipped?

Their practice of deception is no different than if Ford or GM performed an EPA test on a vehicle with a 4-cylinder engine and after achieving 30 MPG highway sold all such vehicles with a V-8 but kept the 30 MPG rating. Would the public and government scream FOUL? Yes they would.

The EPA needs to tighten up their test procedure so appliances are tested as configured, options and all. In the mean time Samsung and LG Electronics should recall all of their defective (not meeting published specifications on the EPA Yellow Tag) appliances and replace them with ones that do meet the published specifications.

No wonder States like California are not seeing the full benefit of their refrigerator incentive programs. People are willingly upgrading appliances in the hopes of saving energy only to line the deep pockets of global giants, raid the coffers of the utility rate-payer efficiency incentive funds, and choke-up our landfills with old appliances that may well have been a better energy play left plugged-in.

Samsung and LG Electronics – its time to act ethically and responsibly. Clean up the energy nightmare that you foisted on an unsuspecting public.

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