The greatest environmental impact of our appliances occurs during use, through consumption of energy and water.
A life cycle assessment of a refrigerator shows that on average more than 80% of the total environmental impact occurs during use, in the form of electricity consumption and related CO2 emissions.
A similar analysis of the total life cycle cost illustrates that accumulated electricity expenses exceed the initial purchase price. The life cycle impact and cost of an average washing machine (see diagram to the right) demonstrates this well.
For the consumer, choosing an appliance with enhanced environmental performance brings long-term savings. For Electrolux, it means there is a competitive advantage in making consumers aware of the correlation.
Professional products
What is true for the household user is also true for the professional user—only more so. Professional appliances are usually used extensively; for at least eight hours a day and often up to 20 years. As a result, lifetime operating costs often exceed the initial purchase price, and efficiency represents substantial savings. It is a natural part of business for a professional customer to calculate an appliance's total life cycle cost. That makes environmental performance a paramount interest, whether for a hotel chain, a restaurant or shared laundry facilities in an apartment building.
