Energy Star Status Stripped From Several Appliances

Oooh, fancy yellow sticker!

Agents, how many times have you been in a home and been asked the energy star ratings of appliances or had a client impressed that the home was filled to the brim with Energy Star rated, and they feel all warm and fuzzy and green about their home purchase with dreams of reducing their carbon footprint and doing everything short of composting to save the planet.

WRONG. The Department of Energy is shoring up their current energy efficiency regulations and this week announced that it would be stripping several refrigerators of their Energy Star status as of January 2, 2010.

Multiple independent studies have verified that the french-door LG refrigerators do not meet the criteria for the label, but LG has filed suit against the Department of Energy for its actions. In the meantime, as Realtors, you should be aware that not all LG refrigerators may not be in compliance with Energy Star, so be sure that if a home you are selling has an LG fridge with a sexy yellow “Energy Star” badge on it that you know it may not actually be compliant.