In a joint agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy, LG Electronics has voluntarily suspended 10 of its refrigerator models from the Energy Star program. The suspension involves the company’s French door refrigerators with through-the-door ice and water service as well as comparable Kenmore-brand Trio models designed and manufactured by LG with model numbers starting with 795.
In addition, the DOE is in discussion with other manufacturers of similar refrigerators to ensure that their products meet Energy Star standards, according to DOE deputy press secretary Jennifer Scoggins, who said she could not speculate on the outcome of the discussions.
The suspension stems from LG's approach to measuring energy usage of the French-door units. During refrigerator-freezer testing, the DOE requires that the ice maker be disabled but that all temperature-controllable compartments, including ice storage bins, be set at their coldest temperature. LG's testing did not account for this latter condition, according to the DOE. The company will make changes to its testing to account for this aspect of the procedure.
As a result of the agreement, LG will:
offer customers a free in-home modification of the affected models to make them more energy efficient.
dole out payments covering the energy cost difference between the new measured energy usage of the product and the amount stated on the original Energy Guide label.
issue payments to consumers for future incremental energy usage for the expected useful life of the refrigerator, up to 14 years
LG will attempt to contact consumers who purchased the affected models by mail. For more information consumers can call 888-848-1266 or visit www.lgrefrigeratoroffer.com.
