Savenia Labs Turns 4 Years Old!

Posted on March 18, 2013 by admin

Savenia Labs was started 4 years ago to provide energy and environmental impact information to shoppers so they could make better and more informed decisions.

In the last year the company has grown the number of rated product categories from 3 to 10, and now has 650+ products in the ratings database. We have also grown the number of retail store partners using our Energy Rating Labels six-fold to 13 stores across 3 states. These forward thinking stores reach 1 million people, are within driving distance of 9 million DC metro region shoppers, and are leading a nation of 310 million people to energy and environmental savings.

We also launched our retail portal that allows stores across the country to download zip code customized energy rating labels, training materials, and more.

Savenia Labs and our partner stores have been featured on every major network. Reporters, including an Emmy award winner, from ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX told our story to millions. We’ve appeared in the Washington Post and in countless local and regional publications. Communities have tuned in to hear about us on leading regional radio news networks. Our media success has helped change the way buyers shop everywhere we go.

There is still lots of work to do: more categories, more geographies and more customers to serve…so stay tuned!

Thanks to all of our partners, stakeholders and followers for your continued support!

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

Posted on March 13, 2013 by admin

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

By 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!

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Savenia Labs Expands to Potomac, Maryland

Posted on September 20, 2012 by admin

We are delighted to announce that Savenia Labs Energy Ratings are now available in Potomac, Maryland at Strosniders True Value Hardware Store. This is our 3rd store in Maryland and builds on our successful launches late last year in Bethesda and Silver Spring. Here is the full press release.

Potomac, Maryland is a town of great natural beauty including Great Falls National Park and the historic C&O Canal. Local residents live and play in this natural environment, and can now shop for more energy efficient products and save money on energy costs, while reducing pollution due to electricity production.

Strosniders Potomac is all about great customer service, and by providing Savenia Labs Energy Ratings they are giving customers a unique public service to go with their full line of small appliances and housewares.

Please join us in welcoming Strosniders Potomac to the Savenia Labs network. They are offering $5 off on all Savenia Labs Energy Rated products (coupon here) so why not stop in to see the display…let us know what you think!

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

Posted on July 20, 2012 by admin

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.

Happy Earthday from Savenia Labs

Posted on April 20, 2012 by admin

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

Posted on November 28, 2011 by admin

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.

3 Energy Saving Tips On Turkey Day

Posted on November 22, 2011 by admin

With Thanksgiving Day just around the corner here are a few tips from the lab on how to save money and energy in the kitchen this year.

1. Toaster Ovens – Batch, Shut-off and Convection.

We found that the vast majority of a toaster oven’s energy consumption goes towards getting it warm in the first place. Once it’s warm, it doesn’t take a lot of energy (or time) to keep it there. So heat the rolls, then the batch of cookies, then the pumpkin pie. Just do it without letting the toaster oven get cold over and over again. Also, many toaster ovens don’t automatically turn off after use. Make sure to switch them off to minimize energy usage and for safety. Finally, if you have a good convection toaster oven use it. In many cases this feature can save time and potentially energy. In our tests, they made cookies fluffier too – and who doesn’t love fluffy cookies?

2. CoffeeMakers – Go Thermo

One of the biggest drivers of energy usage in a coffeemaker is the heat plate it uses to keep your coffee warm. If you’re in need of a new coffeemaker – consider getting one with a thermo-carafe. It keeps your coffee warm longer without using any additional energy. And besides, those heat plates can destroy flavor.

3. Microwave Ovens – Zap Away

If you need to heat something quickly – zap it. Your microwave is one of the best conservers of energy in your kitchen. Use microwave safe containers and covers.

Strosniders True Value Hardware in Bethesda and Silver Spring has all these appliances and more with Savenia Labs Energy Rating Labels so you can see the energy costs BEFORE you buy!

Have a happy holiday!

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

Posted on November 15, 2011 by admin

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

Posted on October 7, 2011 by admin

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!

Posted on September 27, 2011 by admin

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!

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