by Timothy Hurst

A United States District Court has ruled against LG Electronics in a case the company brought against the Department of Energy for the revocation of Energy Star labeling on 20 refrigerator models. DOE said that these 20 models–all with “French Doors”–were not in compliance with Energy Star requirements because LG had used a testing procedure that did not account for the energy used to power the in-door icemaker.

In the District Court opinion (pdf), Judge John D. Bates reminded LG that for most refrigerators and freezers to qualify for the Energy Star program, they must be at least 20% more energy efficient than the minimum efficiency standards set by law.

The Energy Department says it directs manufacturers to run the energy tests while the ice-maker and its components are on, but “inoperative,” or not in active operation. According to Green Inc. LG allegedly understood “inoperative” to mean turning the ice-maker and its components off altogether. Previously, LG’s measured energy usage was based on a common approach in interpreting DOE’s test procedure. This test procedure requires, among other things, that the ice maker be disabled but that all temperature controllable compartments, including ice storage bins, be set at their coldest temperature — the last part of which, LG was not doing.

To effectively measure the savings associated with the Energy Star program, DOE says that all partners must report energy consumption data based on the same standardized test procedures.

For its part, LG has agreed to take several steps to remedy the situation including: Offering to modify consumers’ refrigerators to make them more energy efficient; Making a one-time cash payment for past energy usage to cover the difference between the new measured energy rating and the amount listed on the original; And making cash payments for future energy usage each year over the expected useful life of the product to cover the difference between the new measured energy rating and the old one.

Energy Department welcomes the decision, remediation from LG

“DOE believes that the actions LG plans to take will benefit consumers and help ensure that the Nation’s energy conservation goals are met,” Acting Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy John Mizroch said.

In a company press release, LG said it was “disappointed in the ruling and continues to believe that it properly followed the correct DOE test procedures,” but that it will “work with its retail partners to remove the Energy Star label on the affected models.”

The energy rating has been changed for LG “French Door” models with ice and water dispensers in the door: LFX21975ST, LFX25975SB, LFX25975ST, LFX25975SW, LFX28977SB, LFX28977ST, LFX28977SW, LMX25985SB, LMX25985ST and LMX25985SW.

Reprinted with permission from Earth & Industry