Manufacturers, efficiency groups urge support for smart appliances

US home appliance makers are urging federal officials to take action to recognize the benefits of smart appliances and speed up development of the smart electricity grid.

The announcement from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) followed the release of an action plan from the US Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The agencies’ National Action Plan calls for a national forum to jump-start the development of demand‐response programs that could significantly reduce electricity usage during periods of high demand.

In response, the AHAM is urging the DOE and the EPA to adopt a petition submitted to the ENERGY STAR program in December 2010 by AHAM, the Natural Resources Defense Council and several efficiency and consumer organizations. The petition in favor of smart appliances was coordinated by the American Council for an Energy‐Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

The petition urges the ENERGY STAR program to incorporate a 5-percent allowance to the energy performance level required to meet ENERGY STAR eligibility criteria for smart‐grid-enabled appliances as soon as possible. The incorporation of this incentive for smart grid enabled appliances will increase the deployment of these energy saving products across the US, according to the AHAM.

“This petition recognizes the opportunity for smart appliances to contribute to energy efficiency and the smart grid,” said Joseph M. McGuire, president of the AHAM. “An allowance of 5 percent is an important incentive for manufacturers to produce smart appliances and the data show that smart grid enabled appliances can deliver a greater benefit to the American consumer than the 5-percent request.”