AHAM's Blog

New Standards to Save $350 Over the Life of an Appliance

In a move that will save consumers over $20 billion on their electricity and water bills, the US Department of Energy announced today new standards for dishwashers and clothes washers.

Developed in conjunction with AHAM, appliance manufacturers and consumer and environmental groups, beginning in 2013 new dishwashers will use 15 percent less energy and 20 percent less water. Beginning in 2015, new clothes washers will offer consumers more efficient choices and save households approximately $350 over the lifetime of the appliance.

AHAM President Joe McGuire said, “DOE’s implementation of these new standards reflects the consensus agreement reached by stakeholders. It will result in tremendous energy savings for the consumer while preserving product choice and minimizing manufacturer impact. The home appliance industry is proud of its long history of energy efficiency advancements benefiting consumers and applauds DOE for working with stakeholders to increase energy efficiency,”

For more than 20 years, there has been a steady increase in the efficiency of home appliances as manufacturers have developed ways for dishwashers and clothes washers to use less electricity and water. For example, in 1991 the average dishwasher consumed 2.67 kilowatts (kWh) per cycle and by 2010 it was only 1.37 kWh/ cycle – that’s nearly a 49% decrease! Also, clothes washers consumed 2.68 kWh/cycle in 1991 and in 2010 it had dropped by 75% to .66 kWh/cycle!

If you’re in the market now for a new appliance, you can search AHAM’s directory of certified clothes washers and dishwashers.  All of the models listed in the directory have been verified for water and energy use.

For more information on DOE’s announcement, click here.

AHAM PARTICIPATES IN U.S.-CHINA CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY SUMMIT

WASHINGTON, DC (October 13, 2011) — Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) President Joseph M. McGuire will participate in the 4th biennial United States-China Consumer Product Safety Summit being held in Washington, DC, October 13-14, 2011.  The Summit is being held in partnership with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China (AQSIQ).

McGuire will participate in a panel discussion titled “Global Best Practices in Product Design” on Thursday, October 13 along with Mr. Mark Kumagai, Director of Electrical Engineering, CPSC; and Ms. Kitty Pilarz, Senior Director, Mattel Product Safety, Fisher-Price.     

McGuire’s presentation will stress that, “AHAM members are continually working to improve their products and processes.  Their focus on product safety is ongoing, ingrained and evolving.  Through AHAM, the manufacturers work together to improve safety standards to ensure they keep pace with technology, consumer trends and innovation.”

The Summit focuses on Building a Culture of Consumer Product Safety in China, and will include keynote addresses from the U.S. CPSC’s Chairman Inez Tenenbaum and China’s AQSIQ’s, Vice Minister Sun Dawei.

More information about the Summit can be found here.  It is also being streamed live and may be viewed here.  The “Global Best Practices in Product Design” panel will begin at 2:00 pm, Eastern.   For more information, contact Jill Notini at (202) 872-5955 ext. 318.

AHAM President Elected to Chair-Elect of ASAE Board

Congratulations to AHAM president Joe McGuire who was elected Chairman-Elect of ASAE- the Center for Association Leadership and Chairman of the ASAE Foundation for 2011-2012. Joe moves from Board Treasurer into this new Board role upon the conclusion of the ASAE annal meeting on Auguat 9, 2011. ASAE is a membership organization of more than 22,000 association executives and industry partners representing more than 11,000 organizations. Anyone who works for an Association, or in Washington, DC, knows that ASAE is the premier organization for expertise and training for association professionals. All senior AHAM staff members are members of ASAE, and benefit from the training and networking opportunities. Joe is a great strategic leader for AHAM, and we know that ASAE will benefit from his leadership while working to accomplish its goals for the next year.

Stakes Raised in Debt Ceiling Debate

While no headway has been made on a debt ceiling extension, congressional leaders are meeting at the White House daily to attempt to resolve differences on a long term deal with the sticking points remaining to be taxes and entitlement spending.  But, it appears both branches of government and both political parties are getting the message on the importance to the country and economy on increasing the debt limit.  It is also clear that an agreement can only be enacted with support from both political parties.  AHAM joined with several other manufacturing associations including the National Association of Manufacturers in writing a letter to all members of congress and the president to urge them to reach an agreement on the debt ceiling before the August 2 deadline.  We stressed that increased borrowing costs for the federal government influence the cost of manufacturing and home ownership.  Importantly, we also urged our political leaders to agree to a plan to substantially reduce the country’s long-term budget deficits with a goal of at least stabilizing our nation’s debt as a percentage of GDP.