I have just read an article writen in this months Consumer Report (Oct 2008) that confirms, you just never know what is really anymore. Everytime I think we have something we can “trust” I find that it isn’t as we thought it should be, or how they say it is. Bottom line on the article of the Energy Star Labeled appliances.
1. Qualitying Standards are lax. Approx. 25% in a category should qualify, it now about 50% pass the standard
2. Companies test themselves, and not always using a product the way it will be used. No independent verification is done.
3.Test are out of date the DOE, (Dept of Energy) does not have enough staff to do test on new procedures. Plus it takes up to three years to get to publish new rules.
4. Suggestions have been made to use the European Unions Energy label system of grading from A to G that way you could find the best and know which are barley making the cut. Usually the more efficient cost more, but the consumer does not know which is the more efficient.
A settlement in 2006 was reached after the NRDC (natural resource defence council) and several states sued the DOE to create new energy standards.
Why is it that we are paying of these agencies to find out that nothing is as it seems? At this time, it is not just a governement thing, the same thing is happening on Wall Street, and with many private companies. Who cares? The bottom line is the only thing that is important. oh, and the easy way..
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