DOE Imposes Efficiency Regulations on Wine Chillers

Published August 12, 2016

The Department of Energy (DOE) has now developed an energy efficiency regulation specific to wine coolers.

On July 15, DOE released a final rule requiring manufacturers to test the energy efficiency of refrigerators used for wine. It estimated the rule would cost the average small business $12,500 to test whether their equipment meets specifications. While DOE said the $12,500 testing cost is “unlikely to represent a significant economic impact for small businesses,” it did not address the costs to or impact on individual consumers who have or might purchase wine chillers for their homes.

The regulation set standards for temperature settings and energy use for ‘coolers’ with one or more doors, capable of maintaining compartment temperatures either no lower than 39 °F, or in a range that extends no lower than 37 °F but at least as high as 60 °F,” according to the final rule. The temperature for wine chillers should be 55 degrees under the new rules, the DOE said.

The wine chiller efficiency standards go into effect on Aug. 17.

H. Sterling Burnett, Ph.D., ([email protected]) is the managing editor of Environment & Climate News.