Fix It Yourself

Despite advancements over the past 100 years or so, refrigerators still know how suck the pennies from your piggy bank.   Appliances decked out with an Energy Star have passed a series of government-approved tests, signifying  they are more energy-efficient (and therefore cheaper to run)  than ones without the little sticker.  But  apparently, not all Energy Stars are created equal.  

Appliance maker LG just announced that they will be peeling the Energy Star label off some of the company’s refrigerators. The move will effect the following French Door models:  

• LFX25975SB
• LFX25975ST
• LFX25975SW
• LFX28977SB 
• LFX28977ST
• LFX28977SW
• LMX25985SB 
• LMX25985ST
• LMX25985SW 

If you have one of those, it seems that your fridge is working overtime to keep your favorite quart of ice cream nice and cool. And your other favorite quart, too. 

LG took the Department of Energy’s (DOE) decision to court, fighting to keep the labels in place.  But the courts said no dice.   While the LG refrigerators are compliant with an Energy Star agreement of November 2008, the DOE revoked the agreement in November 2009.  Of course, the company wants the Stars in place while they bring their manufacturing up to date.   The DOE argues that for every layer of  frost on your Popsicles, there is one less layer of ozone in the air. 

LG isn’t happy, but they have complied as of late January.  However, expect that the Stars will be out again on LG’s new French Door models when they hit the stores this spring.

By Rachel Cericola