IER-JAN2010-PG05.2 04/01/2010 11:55 Page 5
News
Indesit Company, RLtec and npower roll out world’s first residential test of smart fridges
Big tax rises will harm
Dynamic demand technology tests begin
customers and damage
recovery, warned the
INDESIT Company, energy British Retail Consortium
supplier npower and RLtec, (BRC). Reacting to the Pre-
the smart grid technology Budget Report BRC chief
company, are about to begin executive Stephen
a UK trial of fridges fitted Robertson said that
with grid-balancing substantial cuts in public
technology. spending must be the main
The dynamic demand route to bringing public
technology, developed by finances under control, not
RLtec and Indesit research tax rises which would
teams, helps to maintain the damage demand, stifle
balance between supply and recovery and undermine
demand across the national consumer confidence.
electricity grid. Through Minister for Energy and help us gain a better
2010, up to 3,000 UK Climate Change, said: understanding of how Sales of digital radios have
npower customers will be “Dynamic demand is an dynamic demand can work reached a milestone,
supplied with Indesit exciting technology with the to reduce our use of fossil smashing the ten million
Company dynamic demand potential to reduce fuels. If successful it could barrier reports the DRDB
fridges and fridge freezers, greenhouse gas emissions help pave the way for the (Digital Radio Development
free of charge, in what will be and increase the grid’s uptake of this technology Bureau). It took eight years
world’s first residential test of capacity to absorb wind nation-wide, which could to reach the first five million
the technology. energy – key elements of the result in significant carbon sales (2007), but the
Commenting on the government’s energy strategy savings of around 2 million second five million has
technology, Lord Hunt, for renewables. The trial will tonnes CO2 a year or higher.” been achieved in just 30
months.
Defra’s tests reveal below standard energy performance of appliances
PURE has announced that
Appliances fail to meet energy standards
it has reached the three
million unit milestone in its
sales of digital radios
RECENT research published could not be declarations on their worldwide. It took six years
by Defra shows that some of compared with the label (correct energy to get to the one million
the top selling household performance class, brightness and mark which was announced
appliances may not be declared on the wattage used). in December 2006, and
performing in accordance label. This means 8% of CFL bulbs only three years to triple
with claimed standards that even where labelled A tested as that figure.
printed on the labels. Defra consumers have B.
tested 24 of the best selling bought an Environment PURE has launched
washing machines, 24 ovens apparently energy Minister Dan Norris PUREnet
and 265 different light bulbs. efficient appliance, commented: “Defra is (www.pure.com/purenet/tra
These tests were not full the need to dry pushing Europe to de), a dedicated online
legal compliance testing, but clothes for longer may result revise and extend the A-G resource for PURE’s
simply a snapshot, testing in higher energy use than energy efficiency labelling independent dealer
individual appliances against suggested on the label. system for more products to network. It contains free
their energy labelling. They 23 of the 24 ovens tested greater promote high and easy access to the
revealed that: performed in accordance efficiency products and help latest PURE product
16 of the 24 washer dryers with their energy efficiency consumers choose the best information, price lists,
tested did not perform in label. products on the market. This custom price tickets,
accordance with all the Some light bulbs tested research highlights the need campaign information,
declarations on their labels; had no labels at all despite for these standards to be images and other useful
Four of the washer dryers this being mandatory. fully enforced. Defra has resources to keep dealers
tested were unable to dry to Three-quarters of recently appointed a new right up to date and enable
the required level – so energy Compact Fluorescent Lamps market surveillance authority them to maximise their
and water measurements (CFLs) performed to all the to ensure this happens.” digital radio sales.
January 2010 The Independent Electrical Retailer 5
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44