Tag Archives: Silver Spring

Savenia Labs Launches World’s First Light Bulb Energy & Environmental Impact Rating Labels

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Today we are delighted to announce the world’s first light bulb energy and environmental impact rating labels. Full press release here.

Savvy LightbulbBy bringing the power of Savenia Labs Energy Rating Labels to light bulbs, shoppers can easily see how much it costs to light their homes across different bulb technologies, before they buy, at participating retailers.

Buying light bulbs has become a complicated task with the recent introduction of new technologies.  One thing that should be easy is calculating the big energy and cost savings from switching to energy efficient bulbs. We’re here to help. Until now, comparing the total costs for 3 bulbs required 11 mathematical calculations in the aisle.   As the average home has 50 mostly energy-hungry incandescent light bulbs, shoppers stand to save thousands by switching to more efficient bulbs that use less energy and last longer.

We found that some light bulbs cost well over $100 to power and require 16 bulb changes over a standardized 15-year lighting period, while others can cost as little as $20 to run over the same period with a single bulb

Savenia Labs’ newest Energy Rating Labels make it easy to see which bulbs will cost more in electricity over time and how many bulbs you’ll need to replace over the same period. Energy costs and carbon footprints are customized by local zip code.

The labels simplify and highlight the potential cost savings between bulbs at a glance, so shoppers can consider other features important to them.

You can see the selection of Savenia Labs Energy Rated light bulbs on the shelf at participating stores throughout the Washington and Baltimore regions.  You can also review our analysis of the features, brands, and results on your smartphone.  Let us know what you think!

Do you want inside info on more Savenia World Firsts before everybody else? SIGN-UP

Happy Earthday from Savenia Labs

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Earth Day sure looks a lot different today than when we started Savenia Labs 3 years ago. There is now a much larger and growing community of people, organizations, and companies involved. And awareness of environmental issues continues to spread across all age groups.

All the while the sustainability winds are blowing harder in the retail world. Large retailers like Walmart have launched sustainability scorecards at the supplier level and other programs to procure better products, reduce costs, and strengthen their connection with valuable shoppers. The impact of these activities is occuring at all levels of the supply chain, from product manufacturers to parts and service suppliers.

Savenia Labs is perfectly positionned to help. After a stunning launch in Strosniders True Value Hardware stores (video), we are ramping up lab testing and expansion plans in more stores. By next Earth Day, we hope to multiply the number of smiling shoppers using Energy Rating labels to save money.

Thanks so much to all of our partners and stakeholders for the help and advice.

We will be on the National Mall over the weekend participating in the activities – hope to see you there!

Why not join the conversation and follow along as we scale the energy efficiency mountain – follow us on Facebook to stay in touch at www.facebook.com/savenialabs if you LIKE.

 

Savenia Labs Launches ‘Bright-Light’ Energy Rating Labels

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Today, Savenia Labs launched a new ‘Bright-Light’ version of our Energy Rating labels in Strosniders True Value Hardware stores.  The design has been given a splash of ‘Bright-Light’ to help shoppers quickly and easily find the Lifetime Energy Cost of running an appliance.  Now, with just a glance, shoppers in the store can compare which toaster oven on the shelf is the most energy efficient and which coffee maker will cost the least over the product lifetime.  Take a look inside Strosniders Hardware Stores in Bethesda and Silver Spring and let us know what you think.

What We’re Reading: “If Only We Spent More Energy on Conservation”

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What motivates someone to conserve energy? Certainly necessity can – if you don’t have enough money to pay your electricity bills, you’ll be highly motivated to reduce the electricity you use. According to Michelle Singletary writing in the Washington Post last Sunday, that’s exactly what got her grandmother, “Big Mama,” to become the energy efficiency maven she was. Ms. Singletary grew up without a clothes dryer, turning off all the lights, and unplugging her appliances. She makes a convincing argument that times have changed.

How many people unplug their appliances? Go without a dryer? A dishwasher? Multiple television sets? In this day and age, despite tightening household budgets due to the recession, it seems like the answer is: not many. Are people getting lazier or is wealth making the energy bill less important? Ms. Singletary argues that we need to change the way we talk about saving energy – create a Groupon-type craze about saving money to make sure you get the cheapest energy bill on the block.

Here at Savenia Labs, we think one of the largest impediments keeping people from saving money on energy is the fact that nobody knows how much they’re spending to power the appliances and electronics in their houses in the first place. How can you buy an energy efficient appliance if there is no information available as to that product’s energy efficiency? Now, that’s changed. At least in Montgomery County, Maryland where consumers can buy energy efficient appliances with the help of Savenia Labs Energy Ratings labels at Strosniders True Value Hardware Stores. Here we’ve noticed that when people know how much energy their appliances will use and how much that costs, they buy more energy efficient appliances. And this results in a win-win-win. People save money, innovative manufacturers are incentivized to come out with better energy saving products, and all of this translates into less air pollution so a win for the environment.

So what motivates you to save energy?

Why People Buy Coffeemakers in the Fall

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It’s that time of year again…fall appliance sales have begun and for some reason people buy more coffeemakers during fall months. But why? It would seem that people drink coffee all year round. So why do sales spike in Fall? Savenia Labs research into small appliances and interviews with thousands of consumers may provide a clue.

The vast majority of people (80%) purchase coffee makers because their last unit broke. Another 20% want more features – time for an upgrade. And while 70% bought their home coffee makers, another 20% got them as a gift. So the answer could be simple – gift givers are gearing up for the holiday season and colder weather causes coffee drinkers to brew up more often – leading to more broken machines.

So as we enter the coffee maker season, where are you going to buy your new coffee maker? Over 80% of our survey respondents told us they buy them in retail stores – vs. 15% online. If you’re in the market, Strosniders True Value Hardware in Bethesda and Silver Spring has a sale on all Savenia Labs Energy Rated appliances including coffeemakers, toaster ovens and microwaves now through October 31st (see flyer here). These are the only stores in the world where you can find out and compare how much it costs to power these appliances BEFORE you buy. Don’t get stuck with the unit that costs $500 to operate because you didn’t know. To find a store near you go to www.savenialabs.com.

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!

Coffee Maker Cash Contest!

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Does it cost more to buy or run a coffee maker?

That’s the question we’re throwing to you.  Having tested the most popular 10-12 cup drip coffee makers sold in the United States, we know the energy costs to run them for the average consumer.  Having talked to hundreds of people who own coffee makers, we also know that most people plan to keep them for about 5 years.  So after 5 years of using your coffee maker and paying for electricity to power it, how much of the purchase price (MSRP) does your coffee maker’s energy bill make up? For example, if your coffeemaker costs $20 to run over 5 years and costs $100 to buy, you would guess 20%.

If you think you might know, then enter our contest on Facebook.  Like us and then tell us your guess.  Or you can tweet us @SaveniaLabs to enter.  The person who comes closest to the actual percentage for the average coffee maker among the top 20 sold in the US wins a Savenia Labs rated appliance. Be sure to follow Savenia Labs this fall as we introduce our revolutionary Energy Ratings.