Revised specifications for CEE’s Commercial,
Family-Sized Clothes Washer Initiative were
approved by the Board of Directors on Jan. 19.
These new specifications are now identical to
those applying to residential clothes washers in
CEE’s Super-Efficient Appliances Initiative.
The
change also coincides with a revision to the
ENERGY STAR® specification for commercial
clothes washers.
In many cases, the same manufacturers make commercial, family-sized washers and residential washers, which are often based on the same technology platforms and are similar products (with the exception of an added coin box or card reader).
Thus it is now easier for manufacturers to work with a single set of consistent clothes washer specifications.
The updated specifications, along with a revised qualifying products list, are posted on the CEE Web site. Some models and brands on the 2006 qualifying products list no longer qualify for the revised list.
In addition, no current commercial models meet CEE’s Tier 3 specifications. Many residential clothes washers qualify at the Tier 3 level, however, so the levels were deemed technically feasible.
CEE is encouraging manufacturers to produce commercial washers that meet these performance levels and will be monitoring the market throughout 2007.
CEE’s efforts in 2007 also include development of a savings calculator to help programs determine energy and water savings associated with the new specifications and exploration of potential cooperative efforts with water-efficiency stakeholders.
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