Whirlpool is now the first appliance manufacturer to offer an ENERGY STAR® certified clothes dryer, after receiving certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ENERGY STAR program.
The Whirlpool Duet dryer uses new technologies that combine to create a highly energy-efficient drying cycle. Advanced moisture sensors are used to assure the cycle ends precisely when the load is dry, which helps prevent over drying that leads to wasted energy and can cause damage to fabrics. The dryer also uses dual element modulation technology through the Ecoboost setting to adjust the heat output based on the exact moisture content in the clothes. This reduces the heat for the overall cycle, reducing energy consumption, while only slightly extending the drying time.
The EPA announced its new Energy Star label for clothes dryers on May 27. The new specifications will recognize a selection of highly efficient electric, gas, and compact dryers that will use approximately 20 percent less energy than what is required by the minimum efficiency standards effective in 2015.
According to the EPA, over 80 percent of US homes have a clothes dryer, and these appliances account for approximately six percent of residential electricity consumption. If all residential clothes dryers sold in the U.S. meet these new requirements, the utility cost savings will grow to more than $1.5 billion each year and more than 22 billion pounds of annual greenhouse gas emissions would be prevented.
Energy-efficient appliances such as the Whirlpool Duet will be necessary to achieve the net zero homes of the future — a concept explored in My Energi Lifestyle, a strategic collaboration between Ford, Whirlpool, Eaton, SunPower and Nest that aims to demonstrate how a typical American family can significantly reduce its electricity bills and carbon footprint by integrating home appliance technology with a plug-in vehicle and solar power to achieve an energy-efficient lifestyle. In April, Honda unveiled its version of a net zero energy "Smart Home" on the University of California, Davis campus, which includes a charging facility for a Honda Fit EV and is intended to demonstrate the automaker’s vision for zero-carbon living and personal mobility.
Get the latest insights, trends, and innovations to help position yourself at the forefront of sustainable business leadership—delivered straight to your inbox.
Founder & Principal Consultant, Hower Impact
Mike Hower is the founder of Hower Impact — a boutique consultancy delivering best-in-class strategic communication advisory and support for corporate sustainability, ESG and climate tech.
Published Jun 17, 2014 2am EDT / 11pm PDT / 7am BST / 8am CEST