Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM FEBRUARY 2015 54 S aving the planet by using less energy and water is a laudable goal. But when it comes to buying major appliances, nothing trumps self-interest. Fortunately, today's newest appliances, especially those bearing the ENERGY STAR label, let consumers hit the sweet spot: they can feel virtuous about protecting the environment and trim their utility bills. Thanks to EnergyGuide labeling that compares an appliance's annual operating cost with similar models, we know that older appliances, and many conventional models, are not energy efficient and should be replaced. Canada's equivalent EnerGuide label makes its comparison in kilowatt hours per year. Some dishwashers are less efficient than hand dishwashing. Washing machines can use huge amounts of water, and dryer technology has not changed significantly in over 30 years until recently. We know that major appliances account for a significant portion of a household's energy consumption. Dryers and range hoods pump hundreds of cubic feet of heated air out of the house every minute, and refrigerators and freezers run day in and day out. We also know that ENERGY STAR-certified appliances use advanced technology to boost performance while saving consumers money over an appliance's lifetime. So, you'd think that these new, high-tech appliances would sell themselves. If only it were that easy! A LIFESTYLE BOOST! Many appliance retailers rely solely on the EnergyGuide/EnerGuide or ENERGY STAR labels to push products, but that should be just the point of departure. Retailers need to tell consumers that these new appliances can improve their lives, save them money, and save them time on chores like cooking, cleaning, laundry and shopping. This can go a long way to overcoming procrastination and even sticker shock. Some examples: • New fridges and freezers have better insulation and compressor technology to keep food fresher longer. That means less food waste, money saved on groceries – and fewer trips to the grocery store. For 2015, Electrolux is coming out with a chest freezer with improved insulation that, the company claims, will keep food frozen for up to three days without power. Now what's that worth in peace of mind in a world of ever-more-frequent power outages? • Ranges with induction elements transfer energy directly to cooking vessels, not to the air in the kitchen, thus using energy more efficiently and reducing cooling costs. • Double oven ranges, because of their smaller size, heat faster and maintain a more consistent temperature, thus using less energy – and cutting cooking time. Think dinner, faster. Priceless! • Ditto for convection ovens, which cook foods 25 percent faster than traditional radiant-heat ovens. This means they turn off sooner, using less energy and pumping less heat into the house for cooling in the summer. • ENERGY STAR-certified dishwashers have soil sensors to intelligently adjust cycles, improved water filtration for more efficient detergent and water use, more efficient jets to spray detergent and water over dishes, and innovative rack designs. It all adds up to optimal cleaning with minimum water and energy use. Translation: sparkling dishes and more money in your customer's wallet! • Most ENERGY STAR-certified top-load and front-load washers use about 20 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than regular washers, but the real appeal is that they do a better cleaning job without tearing your clothes to shreds. Sophisticated top-loader wash systems flip or spin clothes through a stream of water; sensors monitor incoming water levels and temperature; and repeated high-pressure sprays rinse clothes instead of soaking them in full tubs of water. Plus, their larger tub capacity means fewer loads to clean the same amount of laundry— a big time saver. • Dryers with true, low-heat cycles and faster airflow use less energy and are also less damaging to clothes. Longer fabric life means a smaller clothing budget. And those favorite jeans will stay newer- looking, longer! • For the first time, ENERGY STAR certification has been given to clothes dryers—to the 2015 line of Whirlpool and Maytag models, which use 20 percent less energy than Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. In 2015, Whirlpool is also launching a condensing dryer that pumps out the moisture in the drum, then reheats and recirculates the dehumidified air. Despite its premium price, this dryer uses a whopping 42 percent less energy than traditional dryers, thus saving owners hundreds of dollars in annual operating costs. Self-interest is a beautiful thing. Make it work for you! RO Corey McMullan Appliance Trends Corey McMullan Director, Appliances — Cantrex Nationwide NEW APPLIANCES DO SO M UCH MORE THAN SAVE ENERGY Be sure to let your customers know!

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