ENERGY STAR® is the US Government-backed label for credible information on energy efficiency in appliances. ENERGY STAR-branded products and services have had tangible, broad-reaching impacts on energy consumption in the United States, resulting in billions saved in energy costs. As an ENERGY STAR partner, we value the program's track record, and we've seen firsthand where its induction specification hasn't kept pace with new product designs.
Rebates often require ENERGY STAR certification
Historically, some rebate programs for energy-efficient equipment have required that consumers install ENERGY STAR-certified equipment to be eligible for their rebates. For example, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) requires the certification for heat pump water heaters and windows to qualify for its Consumer Rebate Program rebates.
However, requiring ENERGY STAR certification for induction cooking rebates limits choices for consumers and slows adoption. The manufacturers of battery-equipped induction cooking appliances we work with face significant challenges obtaining the label for their devices.
We are unlikely to see updates to the ENERGY STAR certification that would accommodate the rapid changes in induction technology any time soon. As a result, induction cooking rebate programs that require ENERGY STAR certification risk falling behind developments in induction technology. Even worse, some customers will adopt induction cooking technology that costs them more money up-front and over time, because of these rebate program requirements.
ENERGY STAR standards fall short for battery-equipped induction cooking appliances
Our conversations with manufacturers of induction appliances with built-in batteries reveal tensions with existing standards for induction devices. In their telling, their devices are often unable to obtain ENERGY STAR certification even though the devices can offer comparable energy use profiles. In particular, the ENERGY STAR requirement that a device's annual energy consumption of 195 kWh/year or less has come up as a challenging standard to meet.
One manufacturer told us that because of the roundtrip efficiency of the integrated battery and standby losses, energy consumption exceeds the 195 kWh/year limit, meaning that it's effectively impossible to qualify. Further, according to the manufacturer, their device is at a disadvantage because ENERGY STAR treats all energy the same regardless of local time of use rates and electricity carbon intensity. Cooking devices with integrated batteries can take advantage of fluctuating energy rates and lower-carbon electricity, allowing consumers to spend less money and cause less pollution by optimizing battery charging.
Another manufacturer informed us that the company believes it can meet the ENERGY STAR overall energy efficiency threshold. However, ENERGY STAR has an ‘idle power use’ subcategory that is difficult for their device to meet. This is because the active electronics that manage their device's integrated battery are running on the stove at all times. Due to the complexity of their product, it's difficult to meet the power limitations that ENERGY STAR created for induction cooking devices.
Cities meet the moment
In light of these challenges, QuitCarbon has worked with municipal governments to update program requirements to reflect the realities of ENERGY STAR certification for induction manufacturers. In one case, after our conversations with city staff, the City of Healdsburg removed the ENERGY STAR requirement for its induction rebate program.
In another case, we helped our manufacturer partners identify and apply to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission's new technologies exemption, thereby allowing the manufacturer's products to qualify for rebates in San Francisco's Electrify Your Home program.
Modernize your induction rebate program
Does your rebate program require ENERGY STAR for induction appliances? It may be time to reconsider the requirement and help your residents access all the latest choices available for induction cooking.
An impactful starting point could be to carve out an alternative pathway for battery-equipped induction cooking appliances to allow them to show comparable energy use metrics that meet your city's energy goals.
Looking for support reaching residents? Contact us at QuitCarbon to learn more about how we work with cities, municipalities, and utilities.
