JouleBlog

Shopping for a refrigerator? The Energy Guide labels affixed to the floor models may not be a reliable guide to how much electricity a particular model uses, according to Consumer Reports.

In a report on ABC’s Eyewitness News tonight, a Consumer Reports spokeswoman questioned of the reliability of the ratings. “In our tests, refrigerators typically use about 20 percent more energy than it says on their yellow Energy Guide label,” said Celia Kuperszmid-Lehrman. “That’s because our tests are tougher, and we believe they better reflect how you’d actually use a refrigerator.”

For example, a GE model made by Samsung used almost 40% more electricity than the number on its Guide would suggest; an LG and Sears Kenmore made by LG used about 50% more, according to the broadcast. Consumer Reports says that the government’s test procedures need to be better defined, so that manufacturers can’t claim energy savings you are unlikely to see at home.

Consumer Reports said that the Energy Guide ratings often do not reflect real-world conditions in the home. The two refrigerators made by LG use significantly less energy only at the warmest settings required by the government tests. “But you’re not likely to use those settings, because your food’s going to spoil faster. So you’re not going to get the energy savings,” said Kuperszmid-Lehrman.

This isn’t the first time Consumer Reports has criticized the Department of Energy’s Energy Star program. In an October 2008 article it said the Consumers Union said the federal tests were out of date and its qualifying standards were too lax.