DOE Gets (Really) Tough on Appliance Energy Efficiency Enforcement

Consumers may pay absolutely no attention to it, but they probably would be grateful to know there's someone out there policing appliance manufacturers — ensuring that those refrigerators, stoves and dishwashers advertised as energy-efficient actually are. DOE is beefing up its enforcement efforts to ensure that appliances meet the agency's conservation standards. It's a pretty tough stance, and it seems to be working.

The makers of a variety of household appliances are required to certify with the Energy Department that their products meet the agency's minimum appliance conservation standards. DOE is putting pressure on those manufacturers to comply or face civil penalties or fines.

DOE has received certifications for 600,000 home appliances in 15 product categories as a result of enhanced enforcement efforts. The agency gave manufacturers a deadline of Jan, 8, 2010 to provide accurate energy usage data, or else.

The information provided by 160 appliance makers will be reviewed to determine if their products meet minimum energy efficiency standards.

DOE General Counsel Scott Blake Harris said the stepped up enforcement effort is working. "Moving forward, we will aggressively pursue all manufacturers who have failed to comply with these certification requirements or whose products violate the country's energy efficiency standards.

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