So long Energy Star

[begreen]

It looks like it's the end for the EPA’s highly successful Energy Star program for home appliances, which saved Americans more than $500 billion in energy costs while avoiding the emission of four billion metric tons of greenhouse gases. The program was cheap at a cost of $32 million a year while saving an estimated $40 billion annually in energy costs.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Are they putting any emphasis on appliances lasting longer? Energy efficiency is awesome as long as your refrigerator lasts a decade or 2. I know LG was using a compressor in some of their more efficient refrigerators that only lasted a few years. Replacement isn’t energy efficient! Washers and dryers were having similar issues with longevity.

 

[begreen]

I read multiple reports for that info. It's why I won't buy an LG or Samsung refer. The emphasis now appears on buy American and greater consumption.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Well, as those compressors give out they’re going to have to buy a new one!


I’m currently running into this with one of our fleet. I’ve got a good truck that’s up in miles, but has been reliable. It’s currently our spare truck. It throws check engine light every once in a while.l for low oil pressure. Oil pressure is fine. There are 2 sending units. One that is accessible and already changed, 1 under the intake manifold. I don’t really want to have it swapped under the manifold. Why would they put a sensor under the intake? Here’s a good truck that’s still has a solid body, strong engine and trans, it’s starting to get electrical and emissions equipment gremlins. How many others are eventually going to be junked due to similar stuff?

I had a conversation with my business partner about buying much older trucks and then fixing them. Less complexity might trump a couple miles per gallon.

 

[bogieb]

It saddens me that the Energy Star program is going away. I like to at least see the ratings and comparisons between products of the same type.

This also means that at least some tax incentives will probably go away - because those incentives depend upon energy star ratings to be eligible, and then may have different tiers. Like my combi-boiler I had installed a couple of years ago was eligible for a fed tax deduction because it was in the upper tier, where if I had bought a slightly less efficient model, it would not have been eligible. I rarely have tax deductions or credits, so that was an exciting time for me

I do buy for longevity, which is why I loved the Kenmore brand for most appliances - back when that was a thing. I still have my Kenmore vacuum bought somewhere around 2010 (maybe earlier). I have been impressed with my Samsung washer and drier as they have been going strong since December 2013. I've never had a washer last that long (this is the first drier I've owned). Hopefully I didn't just jinx anything

 

[EbS-P]

Well, as those compressors give out they’re going to have to buy a new one!


I’m currently running into this with one of our fleet. I’ve got a good truck that’s up in miles, but has been reliable. It’s currently our spare truck. It throws check engine light every once in a while.l for low oil pressure. Oil pressure is fine. There are 2 sending units. One that is accessible and already changed, 1 under the intake manifold. I don’t really want to have it swapped under the manifold. Why would they put a sensor under the intake? Here’s a good truck that’s still has a solid body, strong engine and trans, it’s starting to get electrical and emissions equipment gremlins. How many others are eventually going to be junked due to similar stuff?

I had a conversation with my business partner about buying much older trucks and then fixing them. Less complexity might trump a couple miles per gallon.

On the sprinter forum a guy has a new sprinter, late 23 early 2024. 250k miles. Just had to replace the diesel cat and DPF. SRC maybe too I think. $7500. He does oil changes twice a month at about 12k miles. According to him is the most reliable lowest cost vehicle he’s ever owned. 20 MPGs on mine if I keep it under 75 mph. New tech isn’t all bad.

How many appliances use more than 200kwh a month? The difference between most efficient and least is probably $10 at best. The average consumer doesn’t care about that I guess.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I’d never suggest that it is all bad. I think the engineers are able to design amazing things capable of great power and efficiency.

I also believe that they are forced to design around certain guidelines (whether corporate or legal) that make planned obsolescence a real thing. Things like transmissions do wear out, the ones on my Rams don’t have a dipstick to check fluid amount or condition. Maintenance? Nah. What is that going to cost to repair? They’ve been great so far, lol.

In the next 10 years there’s going to be a ton of vehicles scrapped that will still have pristine bodies on them.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I’d personally be worried if any of my appliances used 200 kWh in any month. That’s pretty close to my average usage.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

It saddens me that the Energy Star program is going away. I like to at least see the ratings and comparisons between products of the same type.

This also means that at least some tax incentives will probably go away - because those incentives depend upon energy star ratings to be eligible, and then may have different tiers. Like my combi-boiler I had installed a couple of years ago was eligible for a fed tax deduction because it was in the upper tier, where if I had bought a slightly less efficient model, it would not have been eligible. I rarely have tax deductions or credits, so that was an exciting time for me

I do buy for longevity, which is why I loved the Kenmore brand for most appliances - back when that was a thing. I still have my Kenmore vacuum bought somewhere around 2010 (maybe earlier). I have been impressed with my Samsung washer and drier as they have been going strong since December 2013. I've never had a washer last that long (this is the first drier I've owned). Hopefully I didn't just jinx anything

On my woodworking board there was a post where people were buying new vacuums every few years.

The energy put into making them isn’t insignificant!

A vacuum since 2010 has lasted a long time!

I have an old vacuum too. I got it before I met my wife! I started dating her in 2001, so probably 2000? I’ve replaced bags and drive belts in it. When I finished off my attic and had carpet put down, the installers brought up their vacuum, the same model I have, to clean up. I’m guessing that was 2012 or something. Commercial use is hard on things. I hope my vacuum will outlast me.

 

[EbS-P]

I’d personally be worried if any of my appliances used 200 kWh in any month. That’s pretty close to my average usage.

the difference between efficient and inefficient appliance is not saving the consumer much money (unless it’s a heat pump water heater).

I would argue you are in the bottom quartile of electricity consumption. What appliances use more than 100kwh a month?
Your heat pump hot water and maybe an oven if you cook and bake a lot. My point is a consumer focused campaign/policy I don’t think has motivated consumers that much.

We need minimum efficiency standards. Which they have for ACs and we should have for water heaters.

 

[mr meener]

It looks like it's the end for the EPA’s highly successful Energy Star program for home appliances, which saved Americans more than $500 billion in energy costs while avoiding the emission of four billion metric tons of greenhouse gases. The program was cheap at a cost of $32 million a year while saving an estimated $40 billion annually in energy costs.

you actually believe those numbers from the eternally lying US govt?

 

[begreen]

Yes, I believe in the data. It is verified by multiple sources and trustworthy. And I like saving on the electrical bill.

 

[Dieselhead]

I must say I never bought a piece of electronics or appliance based on that yellow hanging label.

 

[bholler]

I must say I never bought a piece of electronics or appliance based on that yellow hanging label.

I havnt either but if it was down to 2 options one with one without it can put it over the edge

 

[Max W]

I’d never suggest that it is all bad. I think the engineers are able to design amazing things capable of great power and efficiency.

I also believe that they are forced to design around certain guidelines (whether corporate or legal) that make planned obsolescence a real thing. Things like transmissions do wear out, the ones on my Rams don’t have a dipstick to check fluid amount or condition.

In the next 10 years there’s going to be a ton of vehicles scrapped that will still have pristine bodies on them.

I guess that depends on where you live and how the winter roads are treated. Around here a calcium chloride brine is spayed on the main roads ahead of the snow or ice. The local mechanic says that even the newer vehicles are showing the damage. I’ve been fighting frame and body rust on my 2004 f150 for many years including minor and major frame reinforcements. Sadly with 130,000 miles it’s been reduced to a yard truck for the last couple. Can’t blame it all on the the calcium chloride but I’m sure it’s introduction speeded things up. Last year my son had $2500 of frame work done on his 2015 GMC.

 

[begreen]

I havnt either but if it was down to 2 options one with one without it can put it over the edge

Exactly. It's not the first thing I look up, but it's on the list. Same with stove specs. Efficiency may not be the determining factor, but it is something I check. And if I was paying New England electricity rates I'd be paying even closer attention.

 

[bogieb]

Exactly. It's not the first thing I look up, but it's on the list. Same with stove specs. Efficiency may not be the determining factor, but it is something I check. And if I was paying New England electricity rates I'd be paying even closer attention.

You are right, those of us in at least upper New England probably pay more attention than, say, my family in KS. My sister and Mom have no idea what they pay per kwh, nor how much electricity they use because it is so cheap.

 

[Eman85]

Many people base their purchases on how much an item will cost them when put into use, something similar to fuel mileage. Not a bad thing to have energy usage rating on a long-term item like a refrigerator. Then again if it's looked at as a way to save the planet and reducing consumption for that purpose it becomes a political/hate issue for some reason.
I think Elon summed it up the other day when he said he was looking at Mars because the sun would consume the earth. The prevailing attitude seems to be we're going to burn this to the ground and the weak and the poor will be the first to perish.