Tag Archives: B Lab

Savenia Labs Launches First ‘GEO’ Air Conditioner Energy Rating Labels

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GEOGRAPHY BASED ENERGY RATINGS REVOLUTIONIZE APPLIANCE SHOPPING

Today Savenia Labs unveiled the first ever location-specific energy rating labels for room air conditioners. Savenia Labs’ new ‘GEO’ Energy Rating Labels report zip code specific lifetime energy costs for room air conditioners anywhere in the US. Now available at participating retail stores, shoppers can see how much it will cost to run an air conditioner before they buy – with data specific to local energy costs, environmental impact and regional usage patterns.

Since lifetime energy costs can greatly exceed purchase prices, these new labels revolutionize air conditioner shopping by magnifying customer savings.

“Energy Rating Labels must be highly relevant to local shoppers to be helpful,” said John Jabara, Founder of Savenia Labs. “The same room air conditioner that costs $500 to run in electricity costs over its 9 year lifetime in Chicago will cost over $3,000 in a hotter climate like Key West, Florida. Now shoppers can get this localized information on the shelf next to the price tag for easy comparison, and save hundreds of dollars by shopping smart.”

Participating retailers that displayed the Savenia Labs Energy Rating Labels last fall experienced dramatic increases in appliance sales and customer satisfaction, while consumers benefited from energy efficiency information that helped them save money.

Check out the selection of energy efficient appliances at Strosniders True Value hardware and let us know what you think!  And stay tuned for more energy ratings from Savenia Labs.

Savenia Labs Launches First Dehumidifier Energy Rating Labels

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We are delighted to announce today the launch of the first dehumidifer Energy Rating Labels, now available in participating retail stores.

After trying to buy a dehumidifier for a damp basement and wading through the confusing size and energy recommendations – we decided to dramatically simplify the buying process for everyone else. Now shopping for dehumidifers with Savenia Labs is easy as 1-2-3. Choose the size you need based on the square footage of your basement, go to a participating Savenia retailer or our smartphone site and compare the models, and start saving money. We were surprised by what we found. Dehumidifers that cost $100′s to buy can cost $1000′s to run over their lifetime.

Now you can know…BEFORE you buy. The launch press release can be found here.

During the humid summer months millions of households use dehumidifiers, and now there’s a simpler way to buy energy saving models with information right on the store shelf. All Savenia Labs Energy Rating Labels are customized for energy costs and carbon footprint based on store zip codes. Participating retailers can download localized labels and print them in the store.

Check out Strosniders True Value selection of dehumidifiers in both Bethesda and Silver Spring MD and let us know what you think.

Still more Energy Ratings to come so keep checking in with us and follow along on Facebook.

What We’re Reading: “Firms with Benefits”

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This week the Economist writes about a business trend that is gathering speed across the country- Firms with Benefits. Savenia Labs, as you may know, is a Certified Benefit Corporation – which means we have taken on the responsibility to provide a measurable and meaningful public benefit through our work.  This commitment includes taking into consideration our stakeholders and also the environment alongside profit in our legal documents. We have made it our mission to educate people about the energy efficiency of the products they use every day, helping them save money and energy while reducing pollution.  Savenia Labs was the first Certified Benefit Corporation in Bethesda, MD and was also the first testing last lab to be certified in the United States.  We are proud to be part of a movement that uses the power of the markets to make the world a better place.

This year, California became the sixth state in the US to create a legal classification for companies – Benefit Corporations.  By registering as a Benefit Corporation, a company takes on a legally binding responsibility towards these commitments.  The Economist reports that Patagonia – the popular apparel company – was the first company in California to take advantage of the new law and register as a Benefit Corporation.  Yvon Chouinard, Patagonia’s president, wanted to solidify the company’s efforts to the community and the environment – and claims that his employees are happier and more productive because Patagonia works towards the greater good.

B Lab, the nonprofit driving the spread of Benefit Corporation laws across the country has now audited over 500 companies that account for almost $3 billion in revenue.  By changing corporate culture, this movement can have a huge impact on the way business works in the United States.  Patagonia’s involvement in this movement should only help accelerate this shift.  You can read the Economist article here.

You can read more about the Savenia Labs mission and independent audit results on our website at http://www.savenialabs.com/savenia-labs-mission

Savenia Labs Energy Ratings Confirmed by Top 20 Accounting Firm Reznick Group

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We are delighted to announce that the Reznick Group, a Top 20 Accounting firm based in Bethesda, MD has audited and confirmed Savenia Labs Energy Ratings data for 3 appliance categories. This audit, which was conducted in accordance with attestation standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, included verification that the Savenia Labs methodology was applied consistently to all appliances in the selected appliance category.  A summary of the audit report is available on our website here.

We asked Reznick Group to audit our data because consumers are concerned with greenwashing – companies making claims about the environmental impact of their products without sufficient factual or scientific evidence.  Even though Savenia Labs is already an independent testing laboratory that buys and tests every product ourselves, without manufacturer donations or consent, we decided to go further and have our Energy Ratings externally audited.

We aim to be the company you can rely on for appliance energy and environmental impact information, based on high quality work and lack of bias. This audit, together with the audit we completed to become Bethesda, Maryland’s first Benefit Corporation, and the results of our environmental reports are part of our commitment to transparency in serving the public interest.  For a complete list of our audit reports see the Mission / CSR section of our website here.

New Launch: Breakthrough for Consumers!

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Savenia Labs Energy Ratings Reveal the True Cost of Operating your Appliances. Now available exclusively at Strosniders Bethesda and Silver Spring.  Don’t buy a coffeemaker, toaster oven or microwave oven until you compare energy costs from Savenia Labs.

Today Savenia Labs is revolutionizing the way consumers shop for their most popular electronic kitchen appliances. We are unveiling Savenia Labs Energy Ratings, which for the first time allows shoppers to compare the lifetime energy costs of running microwaves, coffee makers and toaster ovens. It’s like MPG (Miles Per Gallon) for your appliances: the ratings give consumers the information they need to save cash and energy when shopping for appliances.

Many appliances cost more to run in energy costs than their purchase price. We found that the most energy hungry coffeemakers cost over $500 to run over a 5-year lifetime, while the energy saving models cost around $30. Now consumers can access this new energy cost information before they buy.

Since 2009, a team of scientists and researchers working with Savenia Labs has perfected our 10-step process of independently testing popular appliances to determine each model’s energy usage. Independent is key here, because up to now most energy rating systems were based on manufacturer provided information.  The result is a Savenia Labs Energy Rating—an easy-to-read store label now available exclusively in Strosniders True Value Hardware Stores in Bethesda and Silver Spring, MD. We are teaming up with Strosniders because they have great customer service, a wide selection of small appliances and really care about helping customers get acquainted with this groundbreaking ratings system.

As the first certified B (benefit) corporation in Bethesda, we aim to transform the way people think about buying products.  When you buy an energy saving product, you save money, and you also do a good deed for the environment by reducing power plant air pollution.  Manufacturers will respond with better products, magnifying savings.

We hope you get a chance to go into Strosniders True Value in Bethesda and Silver Spring to see how Savenia Labs makes shopping for energy saving products easy.  Please let us know what you think!

Savenia Labs Becomes First Bethesda-Based Certified B Corporation

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Savenia Labs has become the first Bethesda-based Certified B (Benefit) Corporation, joining the community of companies that meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. B Lab (www.bcorporation.net), a non-profit national certifying organization recognized by the State of MD has certified Savenia Labs’ public benefit status after conducting a rigorous audit of our business processes and practices.

By helping individuals and businesses learn more about the energy usage of household products before they buy, we’re helping them save money.  We’re also helping them save energy and reduce harmful pollution.  As consumers change their buying behavior, manufacturers will design more efficient products that save even more.

We’re proud to be a Certified B Corporation.  In just over three years, there are already over 425 Certified B Corporations from over 50 industries, representing $2 billion in collective revenues and $6.5 billion in capital under management. The performance standards set by B Lab are comprehensive and transparent,  measuring a company’s impact on its employees, suppliers, community, and the environment.  Unlike traditional corporations, Certified B Corporations are legally required to consider the impact of their decisions on their employees, suppliers, community, consumers, and environment.

To access your public benefit from Savenia Labs in advance of our fall launch, follow us on Facebook to win a new Energy Rated appliance – or read our blog where you can get our newest research ‘Straight from the Lab’.