GE's New ENERGYSTAR®, Award-Winning* Hybrid Water Heaters now available at Sears locations -- making it even easier for consumers to save on energy costs
LOUISVILLE, KY -- January 15, 2009 -- (NYSE:GE) --Sears, the leading retailer for energy-efficient and ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, has made it even more convenient for consumers to save significant money on their electric bills and lessen household carbon emissions by making available the GE® Hybrid Water Heater. Providing significant savings for consumers, the GE Hybrid Water Heater is up to 62 percent more efficient than a traditional electric water heater and can save as much as $320 annually.**
"We are delighted to have Sears as a retail partners for the GE Hybrid Water Heater," said GE Appliances & Lighting President and CEO James Campbell. "Carrying the GE Hybrid Water Heater demonstrates Sears' commitment to offering the latest, innovative, energy-efficient solutions for their shoppers as we all look for ways to save energy, save money and help protect the environment."
Sears will have the GE Hybrid Water Heater in 475 stores across the nation by the end of January. To find out where to purchase the GE Hybrid Water Heater consumers can visit www.sears.com or visit any Sears location and ask for the Sears Blue Appliance Crew for assistance.
"As part of Sears' commitment to providing energy-efficient products, we are proud to be among the first retailers to offer the new GE Hybrid Water Heater to our customers," said Doug Moore, Senior Vice President and President of Home Appliances for Sears. "Sears Blue Appliance Crew is dedicated to providing the best products on the market that combine innovation and conservation at affordable prices. Offering hybrid products like the GE Hybrid Water Heater that marry advanced eco-friendly technology with traditional elements is just one of many ways we remain customer-centric and make it easier for our customers to go green."
Hybrid Energy Savings
Utilizing heat pump technology in combination with traditional resistance electric elements, the GE Hybrid Water Heater pulls heat from surrounding air and transfers it to the tank to heat the water. This innovative process creates the same amount of hot water as a traditional electric water heater, but can reduce the energy required to heat the water by up to 62 percent -- creating a dramatic impact on monthly utility bills and the environment. Additionally, the new GE Hybrid Water Heater:
- Results in energy savings of $320 per year, which can add up to roughly $3,200 in savings over the 10--year warranty period
- Is ENERGY STAR qualified and exceeds the ENERGY STAR minimum requirements of 2.0 Energy Factor (EF) with a 2.35 EF; and
- Qualifies for the Federal Residential Energy Efficiency Tax Credit worth 30 percent of the product and installation cost
Advanced Electronic Control
The GE Hybrid Water Heater features a user--friendly electronic control system that offers both simplicity and flexibility, giving consumers as much or as little control of operating modes as they like. For example, homeowners can set the thermostat and forget it or easily change the desired water temperature or operating mode to maximize energy efficiency.
Consumer Resources/Rebates
If all that isn't incentive enough to purchase this new water heater, consumers may also qualify for a federal tax credit of 30 percent on the purchase and installation price of an ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump water heater. Some restrictions may apply. Additional local, state, or utility incentives may also be available and vary by state. Consumers can go through their state department of revenue office for more information. Or to find what utility rebates may apply on Energy Star® qualified electric water heaters visit Sears.com/energystar or www.dsireusa.org.
In addition, with the press of a button on the easy--to--use control panel, you can select any of four energy modes that best suit your hot water needs, including options for when you have extra guests or when you are on vacation. For more information on this innovative product and explanations of consumer selected energy modes of operation, visit www.geappliances.com/hybrid.
The new GE Hybrid Water Heater, model GEH50DNSRSA, became available to consumers in November 2009.
*Learn more about GE Hybrid Water Heater Award:
** Based on DOE test procedure and comparison of a 50--gallon standard electric tank water heater using 4881 kWh per year vs. the GE Hybrid Water Heater using 1856 kWh per year, and national average of 10.65 cents per kWh
About Sears Holdings Corporation
Sears Holdings Corporation is the nation's fourth largest broadline retailer with approximately 3,900 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada. Sears Holdings is the leading home appliance retailer as well as a leader in tools, lawn and garden, home electronics and automotive repair and maintenance. Key proprietary brands include Kenmore, Craftsman and DieHard, and a broad apparel offering, including such well-known labels as Lands' End, Jaclyn Smith and Joe Boxer, as well as the Apostrophe and Covington brands. It also has the Country Living collection, which is offered exclusively by Sears and Kmart. We are the nation's largest provider of home services, with more than 12 million service calls made annually. Sears Holdings Corporation operates through its subsidiaries, including Sears, Roebuck and Co. and Kmart Corporation. For more information, visit Sears Holdings' website at www.searsholdings.com.
About Sears Home Appliances
Sears is the nation's leading appliance retailer with the largest selection -- over 4400 models. Only Sears sells the top 10 brands, including Kenmore, the nation's leading appliance brand. Sears always beats the competition's price, guaranteed, up to 14 days. Sears offers worry-free 1-year service, guaranteed and free help and support on all brands serviced by Sears 24/7 by phone. Sears provides next day delivery on over 1600 models - that's five times more than any national competitor. In March 2009, Sears launched the online ENERGY STAR Rebate Center - a program to help educate Americans about the millions of dollars in rebates that are available for ENERGY STAR-rated products and make it easier to receive these rebates. Sears has demonstrated its commitment to increasing America's energy efficiency through its actions over more than 10 years.
Sears sells more ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances than any other retailer. In fact, in 2008, Sears was the first retailer to sell more than 3.1 million ENERGY STAR-qualified appliances from the nation's top brands, including Kenmore, the nation's leading appliance brand. In 2008 alone, Kenmore ENERGY STAR-rated appliances helped save America nearly 700 million Kilowatt hours, over four billion gallons of water, and over $100 million dollars.
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 ecomaginationSM 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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Media Contacts
Kim Freeman
GE Appliances & Lighting
502-452-7819
[email protected]
Larry Costello
Sears holdings Public Relations
847-286-9036 or 847-346-451
[email protected]
Kim Freeman
GE Consumer & Industrial - Americas
[email protected]
502-452-7819