The high-efficiency laundry metering and marketing analysis (THELMA) project: Volume 6 -- Product users, in-home interviews. Final report
- Dethman and Associates, Seattle, WA (United States)
- Hagler Bailly Consulting, Inc., Madison, WI (United States)
- SBW Consulting, Inc., Bellevue, WA (United States)
The High-Efficiency Laundry Metering and Marketing Analysis (THELMA) project is gathering information for promoting energy- and water-saving laundry equipment. THELMA was established by EPRI and 28 utilities and other organizations as a Tailored Collaboration program to support market transformation to efficient horizontal-axis (H-axis) washing machines. The research agenda includes lab testing, qualitative and quantitative consumer research, and in-home metering of conventional and H-axis machines. This report presents the findings and conclusions of the consumer interviews conducted in conjunction with the in-home metering activity. Fifty households in three states participated in this research component, which involved monitoring existing equipment use for six weeks and H-axis washer use for seven weeks. Participants were interviewed three times and maintained a laundry diary. The interviews explored laundry practices and preferences; specifically, participants` likes and dislikes about H-axis equipment and their potential to buy an H-axis washer in the future. While participants` interest in owning an H-axis machine increased over the study period, many reported the high price in contrast to conventional equipment could pose an insurmountable barrier to purchase. Likewise, many participants indicated they would need more information on washer energy and water efficiency, repair history, and life span before deciding to buy one.
- Research Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst. (EPRI), Palo Alto, CA (United States); Dethman and Associates, Seattle, WA (United States); Hagler Bailly Consulting, Inc., Madison, WI (United States); SBW Consulting, Inc., Bellevue, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States); USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 362630
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-TR-109147-V6; NC: NONE; TRN: AHC29926%%285
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: Jul 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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