DOE Testing–Adequate Predictor?
Whether the DOE lab test adequately predicts refrigerator consumption depends on the local climate. The laboratory test for complying with federal standards is conducted at a single temperature–90deg.F. It produces an estimate of annual energy without accounting for changes in temperature, food loading, door openings, and other variables that exist in the field. Nevertheless for some climates the lab test estimate may be quite close. (For more on ambient temperatures and refrigerator energy use, see box, “Keep That Kitchen Cool.”) This study used linear regression models to estimate the annual refrigerator consumption in Fresno. The average annual temperature for Fresno is 65deg.F. Substituting this value into the models, we found that the laboratory test closely matched the estimate for Groups A and C, but not for Group B (see Table 2). Two Lemons Group B, however, consumed substantially more energy than predicted. On average, these refrigerators used even more than their “less effic
