GE Unveils First HFC-Free Household Refrigerator; Awaiting Hydrocarbon Refrigerant Approval from EPA
LOUISVILLE, Ky.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GE has taken a leadership role so that U.S. families might enjoy cleaner refrigeration in their homes, empowering citizens to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while still enjoying all the benefits and features consumers demand of 21st century refrigerators.
The announcement comes as the Company awaits a final rule from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in connection with its request for approval to use isobutane as a refrigerant in household refrigerators. GE had originally filed a petition under the Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)* program, which evaluates alternatives to substances being phased out under the Clean Air Act for protection of the stratospheric ozone layer. In response, EPA has issued a proposed rule approving isobutane for use in household refrigerators, subject to certain use conditions.
Isobutane has been widely used in household refrigerators in Europe and parts of Asia for several years. EPA approval for the use of isobutane in U.S. household refrigerators would allow, for the first time, use of a hydrocarbon refrigerant as a substitute for hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-based refrigerants now widely used in the U.S. Using hydrocarbon refrigerants would result in a lower global-warming impact.
GE plans to include isobutane in a new GE Monogram®-brand 30-inch refrigerator currently in development for introduction in early 2011. The GE Monogram refrigerator will use cyclopentane, another hydrocarbon, as the insulation foam-blowing agent to replace commonly used HFC foam-blowing agents. Conversion of the household refrigerators to hydrocarbon refrigerants will be dependent on EPA's final rule approving the refrigerant for use and favorable public policy supporting the transition, but the climate change benefits could be significant.
"The approval of isobutane under SNAP will pave the way for the use of low global-warming potential refrigeration technology in the U.S. to help address global warming challenges," said Kevin Nolan, vice president of technology for GE Appliances. "Our goal is to deliver a new GE Monogram refrigerator that will be ENERGY STAR® qualified and that will conform to GE and third-party safety standards for the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants, including specifically the standards that address any flammability risks associated with the use of hydrocarbon refrigerants. We plan to seek ecomaginationSM qualification, a rigorous GE process to demonstrate both operational and environmental benefits of products in the ecomagination product portfolio."
Features and Benefits of the GE Monogram 30" Refrigerator
In addition to a lower greenhouse gas refrigerant, the new GE 30" Monogram refrigerator will feature:
- A fully integrated design that can be installed in inset cabinets and disappear behind the cabinetry.
- Three compartments, a fresh-food compartment, with a self-closing vegetable bin, an ice drawer, and a second drawer that converts its function to fit the needs of the consumer.
- LED lighting throughout with transition lighting that comes up gradually as the door opens.
- Two separate sealed refrigeration systems, which allow the fresh food section to better hold humidity and eliminate odor transfer as there is no sharing of air with the freezer and refrigerator compartments.
- A 30-inch width. It can be installed at 80 or 84 inches high. It will be available with a stainless steel panel kit with tubular handles, or pro-styled handles, or it can take a custom panel. The 80-inch door is also reversible.
* The SNAP Program is EPA's program to evaluate and regulate substitutes for the ozone-depleting chemicals that are being phased out under the stratospheric ozone protection provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
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About GE Appliances & Lighting
GE Appliances & Lighting spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliances, lighting, systems and services for commercial, industrial and residential use. Technology innovation and the company's ecomagination(SM) initiative enable GE Appliances & Lighting to aggressively bring to market products and solutions that help customers meet pressing environmental challenges. General Electric (NYSE: GE), imagination at work, sells products under the Monogram®, Profile™, GE®, Hotpoint®, Reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Tetra®, Vio™ and Immersion® commercial brands. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com.
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Kim Freeman
GE Consumer & Industrial - Americas
[email protected]
502-452-7819