Energy Conservation Efforts Drive Appliance Innovation

Author:
Elizabeth Cruz, Market Analyst, Power & Energy-Appliances, IMS Research

Date
05/07/2011

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As the price of energy continues to rise, regulatory bodies around the world are continuously looking for new ways to reduce electricity consumption. New and tougher energy efficiency regulations are being introduced and these offer interesting opportunities for new technologies in home appliances. The EU's Energy Label has added three classes on top of the previous highest efficiency band; China continues to push minimum energy requirements for room air-conditioners and cold appliances, and the US's Energy Star program is driving major reductions in energy use for most appliance types. These more stringent standards are helping to stimulate design changes in a traditionally conservative market. In Europe, over 90% of appliances sold are in the "A" class of the EU Energy Label scheme, which tells consumers how efficient an appliance is and therefore how much can be saved on their electric bills. In 2010, the EU approved three new energy classes beyond "A" that will go into effect for washing machines and dishwashers, which must also include noise declarations for these appliances. Additional regulations from the EU, under the Ecodesign Directive, are aimed at limiting stand-by and off-mode power losses. By 2013, certain appliances will be required to use less than 0.5 watts of energy in off-mode, affecting the design of user interfaces, auxiliary power supplies and input filters. The growth of a middle-class in China has been accompanied by a major increase in ownership of home appliances and in residential electricity use. In 2010 the National Development and Reform Commission of China (NDRC) increased the minimum energy efficiency requirements for room air conditioners by 23% from the previous standard. Room air conditioners, which account for roughly one-fifth of energy demand in China, are becoming more efficient by using inverter-based variable speed drives to control the compressor and sometimes also the motor running the fans in the unit. The regulation is aimed at saving around 636 billion kilowatt hours of electricity annually. The US is also raising energy efficiency standards as the potential for energy savings through technology increases. Proposed changes to the Energy Star program (slated to take effect in 2014/2015) will call for a reduction of energy use in refrigerators and freezers by 30%, clothes washer efficiency increases of 26% to 43% for top and front loading respectively, and room air conditioner efficiency increases of up to a 15%. By 2013 dishwasher manufacturers will be called to increase efficiency by 14% and reduce water consumption by 23%. The introduction of more accurate pressure sensor technology, capable of measuring water levels in the drum to an accuracy of less than 1 millimeter, is an effective tool in reducing unnecessary water use. The above examples of tightening regional energy standards underline the potential for innovations in electronics design in white goods. The appliance industry has traditionally been slow to adopt new technology, but with growing demands on appliance makers to reduce energy consumption, this is changing. New technologies and uses for motor control, power supplies, sensors and more will increasingly have a place in major home appliances. Advanced motor control is now advancing aggressively in some appliance types such as room air conditioners and dishwashers. Further increases in adoption are foreseen in the next five years, particularly in washing machines and refrigeration. Together with greater innovation in the design of user interfaces, these trends will maintain the interest of semiconductor and component companies in the home appliance market over the next five years. www.imsresearch.com

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