Money Isnt All You're Saving vV Energy Star Announcement Energy Star Launches Label for Ceiling Fans The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will join with the ceiling fan industry's leading manufacturers and retailers to unveil a new Energy Star label for ceiling fans on August 13, 2001 at the National Hardware Show and Building Products Exposition in Chicago, IL. The Energy Star label identifies the most energy efficient products, homes, and buildings in the market. Charter partners in the ceiling fan labeling program represent more than 80% of US ceiling fan sales and include: Manufacturers Retailers Air Cool Hunter Fan The Home Company Depot Angelo Lighting Company King of Fans Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Casablanca Fans The Modern Fan Company Concord Fans Minka Aire CraftMade Regency Ceiling Fans Litex Industries, Inc. SMC Marketing Corp. Emerson Electric Ceiling fans help consumers cut their air conditioning bills, but some fans do that job more efficiently than others. EPA research has shown that the best ceiling fans are 3 to 9 times more efficient at moving air than the least efficient models. "We developed the Energy Star label to recognize that superior performance. It will help consumers find the fans that provide maximum comfort and energy savings," said Andrew Fanara, product development manager for Energy Star. As a result of Energy Star, consumers will, for the first time, be able to compare the amount of air a fan moves with the power it uses. Energy Star labeled models will move air at least 15 to 20% more efficiently than a typical new ceiling fan. Many new models will offer the built-in convenience and efficiency of compact fluorescent lighting as well. This reduces the heat output and energy consumption for fan lighting by 60 to 80%, saving money and improving comfort. ------- Money Isnt All You're Saving \V Hunter Fan Company developed the new automated testing procedure for the program, which can objectively assess the performance and efficiency of a fan in a matter of minutes. "We were glad to help EPA and the nation's fan buyers make easy comparisons among different fan models," said Marshall Brown, Hunter's Vice President of Engineering. This new "solid state" test method has been endorsed by all of the charter partners, and test facilities are already in development at a number of independent laboratories around the world. Energy savings from Energy Star labeled ceiling fans will vary by region, depending on electricity rates and fan usage. Average savings will be $10 to $15 per fan per year, but consumers in the hottest climates will save significantly more. With 16 million new fans being sold annually and many new houses containing four to five fans, the savings opportunity is huge," said Ed Wisniewski of the national Consortium for Energy Efficiency. ^1§ The first Energy Star labeled models will reach stores in January of 2002. "Fans have always been measurable by price and decor," commented Ron Jarvis merchandising vice president of Home Depot. "With Energy Star, now we can also talk efficiency and performance - things that matter a great deal to our customers." "As a national partner with Energy Star and a charter partner in this ceiling fan labeling initiative, Lowe's is proud to offer consumers even more products that can save consumers money and energy," said Scott Plemmons, Lowe's vice president of merchandising. "These Energy Star labeled ceiling fans will help consumers improve the comfort of their homes, while offering the latest in fan design, fashion finishes, and lighting options to beautify the home." For additional information about Energy Star labeled ceiling fans, visit Energy Star representatives at the National Hardware Show and Building Products Exposition at booth #14958. Several manufacturers will also be exhibiting Energy Star labeled ceiling fans at the show. Additional information is available at the Energy Star Web site at www.enerqystar.gov, by email (lewis.katef@epa.gov), or by calling the Energy Star Hotline at 1 -888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937). ------- |