Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2024 - 43

the guidelines abreast of the latest technological
capabilities. The law requires that six years after
a product's standard is established or updated,
DOE must evaluate whether an improved
standard would be technologically feasible and
economically justified, and if so, to propose one.
If not, DOE can propose to keep the standard
as it is.
In the next few months, if DOE gives the
go-ahead, six categories of appliances will see
updated minimum energy efficiency standards,
along with updated water efficiency standards
for certain products. Here's a summary of what
quantitative changes to expect:
* The recommended standards would reduce
new refrigerator and freezer energy use by approximately
10-15%, effective in January 2029
or January 2030, depending on product type.
* For beverage and wine chillers, the recommended
standards, taking effect in 2029, would
reduce energy use by 30% for the major product
categories.
* For clothes washers, approximately 11% energy
savings and 28% water savings for top-load
models and 9% energy savings and 17% water
savings for front-load models would kick in
beginning in 2028.
* Clothes dryers meeting the recommended
standards would use up to 40% less energy
starting in 2028.
* The recommended standards for dishwashers
would reduce energy use by 15% and water use
by 34% relative to the current standards, likely
beginning in late 2027.
* New efficiency standards for electric and gas
cooking products, which would preserve the
features and functionality consumers expect
from their cooking products and have access to
today, would take effect in 2028.
It's worth noting that while implementing
these improvements can sometimes be a challenge
to the brands, there is a solid market for
eco-friendly appliances. A 2023 poll conducted
by Beko indicated 83% of Americans are willing
to invest in new appliances that reduce food
waste, increase electricity and water efficiency or
help them live healthier.
Sustainability isn't just about conserving natural
resources; by a very short extension, it's about
the well-being and survival of humanity. As seen
at KBIS 2024, new technologies and designs
were noticeably focused on health and safety
instead of novelty. If last year was all about craft
ice and air fry, this year focused on clean water
and air quality.
KBBONLINE.COM
43
ABOVE For his own kitchen,
New York-based architect
Wayne Turret specified a
recyclable modular cabinet
system by Valcucine that
can be easily reconfigured
to suit evolving needs.
Components use physical
connectors (clips) instead of
glue, reducing off-gassing of
carcinogenic formaldehyde
and improving air quality in the
kitchen. turettarch.com
Photo credit: Liz Glasgow
RIGHT Kitchen designer
éminence grise Johnny
Grey has initiated Full Circle,
a program focused on
repurposing his handcrafted
kitchen furniture. His studio
offers a design and planning
service for whole spaces or to
add new pieces to a kitchen.
johnnygrey.com
Photo credit: Johnny Grey
Studio
http://www.turettarch.com http://www.johnnygrey.com http://www.KBBONLINE.COM
Kitchen & Bath Business March/April 2024

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