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DOE releases energy efficiency rules for
refrigerated beverage vending machines
T he U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released new
mandatory energy efficiency standards for refrigerated
beverage machines that will reduce energy consumption.
The standards, which are accessible on the DOE’s Website,
claim that on average, medium capacity vending machines — the
most common type currently being sold — have installed prices of
$2,625 and annual energy costs of $188. To meet the new stan-
dards, DOE estimates the installed prices of such equipment to be
$2,864, an increase of $239, to be offset by energy savings of $69
and an increase in maintenance and repair costs of $13.
The new standards are mandatory, unlike the Environmental Protec-
tion Agency (EPA) Energy Star program, which is voluntary. Consumer and
environmental groups have criticized the Energy Star program for being a
voluntary program without independent testing.
The new standards can be accessed at: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/
buildings/appliance_standards/commercial/pdfs/bvm_final_rule_notice.pdf/.
Environmentalists welcomed the new standards. The National Resources
Defense Council and the Appliance Standards Awareness Project both said the new standards fulfill President
Obama’s pledge to complete five new efficiency standards by August, and that according to the DOE, these stan-
dards will save enough electricity to meet the needs of about 1.4 million typical U.S. homes for one year and will
save vending machine property owners nearly $500 million over 30 years.
▶ Beverage industry adverse health conditions and short- risk factor for obesity or other nega-
falls in essential nutrients. tive health outcomes — including
battles American Heart
The heart association state- heart disease.
Association over sugar
ment says that most