Both Sears and LG sold $2600 refrigerators with the Energy Star Logo on them for several years, when they were not. When a product has the energy star logo it is suppose to utilize 20% less electricity.
I bought mine in and started using it in December upon the completion of the house we built. I found it interesting right away, when my monthly electric bills were over $100 and stayed there all the time. I check to see if the electric rates were higher than they were at my old home, but they were about the same. The only difference in anything operating in the house was the new refrigerator. I just figured we get this big fancy frig, and I guess it just uses alot of juice.
In December, something caught my eye on the internet, and when I went and explored it, I had found that the Department of Energy had determined that LG had not done the energy star test correctly. They cut a deal with LG, in which they would put a new circuit board in the ice maker to lower electric usage, but it still would not get to Energy Star level. They also agreed that LG would have to pay the difference in electric use for 14 years.
The first thing I did was call LG, because that was the only place you could call even though I bought a Kenmore Elite Trio, from Sears, since it was made for Sears by LG. My goal was no the money or the upgraded circuit board, but was to get a frig that meet Energy Star standards, since that is what I though I bought, and as a good citizen of the U.S. We are suppose to try to use less energy not more, so giving me money did not matter, and our government cut this deal with them. LG would do nothing, give me no body to talk to. I scheduled for them to come out an put the new board in back on Jananury 7th and here it is February 12th, and have not even heard from them.
The next thing I did was call Sears, and I started with the number on the manual. I spent over four hours getting transfered around, or hung up on. Not one employee of Sears, knew anything about this issue which is easy found on the internet. After four hours I decided I would call Sears Corporate. I call the number and get the receptionist, tell her what I need, and see transfers me to someones voice mail. I call back three more times, and on the last try, I get to the assistant to the head of Customer Service. She listens to my story, and I tell her bottom line is that Sears, should put me into a Energy Star refrigerator, because that is what I bought. She was very nice and understood, but said there was nothing she could do.
I ask her for the phone number of the head of Corporate Customer Service and she said she could not give that to me, but gave me his email address. The head is Mr. Bruce Hohnson and she said if you email nationalcustomer [email protected] he would get it. Well I wrote him two emails and have not had a reply or anything.
This is what you get for being a loyal customer of Sears and it Kenmore appliances my entire life. I spend $2600 on a frig that is suppose to be Energy Star Rated, you find out it is not, and can not be made to be, and you get no response, or cannot even get anyone on the phone at Sears that knows about this issue, and LG the people are so rude on the phone, you get no where. I think is a great class action suite. Our government talks about everyone saving energy, and then they let LG get off with just paying the difference in energy usage, instead of doing what is right and making them supply a refrigerator that is Energy Star Rated. I hope a lawyer sees thing and agrees to file a class action law suit.
You can read about the deal at this website: www.energystar. Gov/ia/partners/manuf_res/DOE_LG_SettlementAgreement. Pdf
In the meantime, I have this refrigerator that is going thru electricity like there is no tomorrow.
Brian
Eagle, Wisconsin
U.S.A.
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