BENTON HARBOR, Mich., April 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Whirlpool Corporation has been selected as a Centex Sustainability Partner by Centex Corporation, one of the largest U.S. homebuilders. Accordingly, Centex will install ENERGY STAR(R) qualified Whirlpool(R) and KitchenAid(R) refrigerators, dishwashers and laundry appliances as standard in Centex Energy Advantage homes nationwide. In addition to helping homeowners save more energy, the agreement includes sustainable appliance choices that use steam technology. According to a survey commissioned by Whirlpool Corporation and conducted by Harris Interactive, 72 percent of consumers actively look for the ENERGY STAR(R) label when making purchasing decisions.* "As energy costs rise, Centex homebuyers can feel comfortable knowing their homes are incredibly energy-efficient, as they include some of the most energy-efficient appliances available," said Kelly Safis, national director of contract sales at Whirlpool Corporation. "The ENERGY STAR label is further reassurance that energy savings will be possible for the lifetime of their appliances." New Centex Energy Advantage homes include a suite of energy-efficient features installed as standard nationwide. According to a study commissioned with the NAHB Research Center, these homes are up to 22 percent more efficient than comparable new homes built to the most widely used energy efficiency code, the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code. When compared to a typical 10-year-old home, as defined by the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Program, the Centex Energy Advantage homes in the study were shown to be up to 40 percent more energy efficient.** Centex Energy Advantage homes avoid the emission of 1.78 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year, on average, compared to a typical new home, according to the NAHB Research Center. That's roughly the same as the greenhouse gas emissions from the family automobile over four months or the CO2 emissions from about 183 gallons of gasoline consumed.*** "Appliances from Whirlpool and KitchenAid brands can play a major role in helping to lower utility costs and save energy," said Scott Richter, executive vice president of operations support at Centex. "Combined with an entire suite of other building products and features, these homes are designed to give homeowners more control of their home's operating costs long after moving in." New appliance offerings with steam technology available for Centex Energy Advantage homes include: -- Whirlpool(R) Duet(R) Steam Washer and Dryer allow homeowners to naturally steam out wrinkles and odors in the dryer, and tough stains, from grass to grease, without pre-treating in the washer. The ENERGY STAR qualified washer saves up to 73 percent water and 77 percent energy compared to conventional washers manufactured before 2004. -- KitchenAid and Whirlpool brand dishwashers offer models with a steam option to provide the same great cleaning power, while using less water. The steam option enhances an existing wash cycle, such as the china cycle, to produce brilliant results. These dishwashers are also ENERGY STAR qualified. -- To ease oven cleaning, select Whirlpool brand electric ranges are equipped with a SteamClean option for cleaning light spills on the oven floor. These ranges also have an industry-first Energy Save mode. The feature conserves electricity when the oven is not in use, making these models 290 percent more efficient than previous Whirlpool brand ranges. Similar to a computer "sleep" mode, Energy Save mode dims extra features, such as the digital clock or control display. Whirlpool Corporation is the global industry leader in developing high-performance appliances that help conserve the earth's resources and allow homeowners to use energy and water more efficiently. It leads the industry in bringing an "across-the-board" focus to energy and water conservation, from product design to manufacturing, delivery and end of the product life cycle. Whirlpool Corporation recently received the 2009 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The award recognizes the company's leadership in offering consumers appliances with energy and water efficiency through its portfolio of brands. This is the company's tenth ENERGY STAR award and fourth consecutive Sustained Excellence win. About Centex Dallas-based Centex Corporation, founded in 1950, is one of the nation's leading home building companies. Its homes are marketed and sold under the trade names Centex Homes, Fox & Jacobs Homes and CityHomes. Centex also offers mortgage and title services. Centex has ranked among the top three builders on FORTUNE magazine's list of "America's Most Admired Companies" for 10 straight years and is a leader in quality and customer satisfaction. About Whirlpool Corporation Whirlpool Corporation works to exceed expectations with appliances that help building professionals create homes of distinction. The company's The Inside Advantage(TM) Program offers Powerful Brands, Innovative Products, Targeted Services and Consumer Insight to support building professionals. Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of more than $19 billion, 70,000 employees and 69 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world. For more information on Whirlpool Corporation and its offerings for building professionals, please visit insideadvantage.com or call 1-800-253-3977. *In December 2008, a total of 2,042 consumers were surveyed online over a three-day period from across all demographics showing that appliance choice and habits vary across ages, sexes and even marital status. ** This study evaluated the energy efficiency gains attributable to the Centex Energy Advantage features in a variety of single-family floor plans typical of the Centex product line in the various climate zones where the Company currently operates. Not all floor plans, building materials or construction techniques were evaluated in the study. Efficiency gains will vary for other plan types, building materials, construction techniques and change of climate zone. *** Calculations are based on NAHB Research Center's estimated efficiency of 1.78 metric tons of CO2 per home equipped with Centex Energy Advantage features, as determined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's "Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator" (see http://www.epa.gov/). DATASOURCE: Whirlpool Corporation CONTACT: Whitney Dean for Whirlpool Corporation, +1-317-873-8100, Web Site: http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com/

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