Consumer Appliance Energy Guides

Article By: Patrick G. Warner

Tests have recently shown that certain models General Electric and Haier consumer appliances use hundreds of kilowatt hours (kWh) more than what is required for the coveted U.S. government's EnergyStar compliance rating EnergyStar designation. As a result, Haier's deception could cost consumers hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars of unexpected electricity costs over the life of the appliance.

Three Haier freezers and one GE freezer made by Haier have failed testing designed to determine the accuracy of the energy consumption claims Haier makes on the familiar big, bright yellow Energy Guide label, that consumers often use to compare appliance models.

Haier's five cubic foot chest freezer model HCM050EC, which retails for $270, was said by Consumer Reports to have claimed use of 240 kWh per year, but the magazine's tests show it actually used 444 kWh per year. The seven cubic foot Haier model HNCM070E chest freezer ($260 retail) and the similar GE model FCM7SU chest freezer made by Haier ($220 retail), both claimed use of approximately 276 kWh per year, but they used over 440 kWh per year. The deception with respect to the $750 Haier 20.5 cubic foot capacity upright freezer is possibly even worse. With respect to that large, expensive model, Haier's label claims use of an EnergyStar rating worthy 689 kWh, but one such appliance was measured in testing at an actual use of 943 KW h.

If you have purchased any of these appliances you may be entitled to recover damages. Please call Pat Warner toll-free at 1-800-621-1062 or send an email to: pgwarn@climacolaw.com for a free initial consultation.