Whirlpool Corporation

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Whirlpool Corporation (NYSE: WHR), the world's leading home appliance manufacturer, has been recognized with its third consecutive ENERGY STAR(R) Sustained Excellence award. Provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the award honors Whirlpool Corporation's outstanding contribution to providing innovative, efficient products that help consumers reduce utility bills and greenhouse gas emissions.

Whirlpool will accept the award at ceremonies in Washington, D.C., on April 1, 2008. This is the company's ninth ENERGY STAR award win.

"Whirlpool Corporation is proud to again receive the ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award," said Mike Todman, president, Whirlpool North America. "At Whirlpool, we believe that focusing on energy, water and the environment isn't about narrowing the field of choices, it's about broadening horizons. We continually strive for efficiency improvements while always keeping in mind that exceeding the expectations of the consumer is our goal."

Whirlpool has been a long-term ENERGY STAR partner, helping create the guidelines for the Green Lights Program, the EPA's precursor to the appliance ENERGY STAR program.

"We are proud to recognize Whirlpool Corporation's continued efforts with the 2008 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence award," said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air & Radiation. "Year after year partners like Whirlpool are examples of the benefits of a long-term commitment to energy efficiency. Their actions are leading the way in saving energy and helping to protect the environment."

While other appliance manufacturers have been talking about sustainability, Whirlpool has been taking action for more than 30 years. 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 is the only appliance manufacturer that brings an "across the board" focus to energy and water conservation, from design to manufacture and distribution, to the end of the product life-cycle.

Whirlpool offers consumers the largest breadth of ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. Its more than 700 innovative models include:

• The Whirlpool Duet steam washer. The washer naturally steams away tough stains, from grass to grease, without pre-treating. This model also saves consumers 73 percent water and 77 percent energy, compared to top-load washers manufactured before 2004, and using the normal cycle.
• The Whirlpool Cabrio Steam dryer combines mist and heat in the dryer to naturally steam away wrinkles and odors, reducing trips to the dry cleaner and providing front-load laundry efficiency in a top-load configuration.
• Energy efficient refrigeration combined with flexible technology options through the Whirlpool Centralpark connection. The refrigerator offers a plug-and-play platform right on the door, providing support to consumer electronics including a digital picture frame and digital music player without compromising on energy efficiency.
• The Maytag Bravos high-efficiency, large-capacity top-load washer. The Bravos system features an impeller wash system with Sensi-Care technology and a commercial-grade stainless-steel wash basket - providing the thorough, dependable clean of a front-load system in a top-load configuration.
• The Maytag EPICz high-efficiency front-load washer's space-saving design, providing dependable performance features and commercial-grade components, is one of the most energy efficient in the industry. The washer received NSF International (formerly National Sanitation Foundation) certification for its sanitary cycle, which heats wash water up to 153-degrees Fahrenheit.
• The Maytag brand dishwasher with a SteamClean option. SteamClean delivers enhanced cleaning performance on glassware for soil and spot removal. Whirlpool Corporation was the first in the appliance industry to launch a steam option in dishwashers.
• A new SteamClean option for Jenn-Air dishwashers. The SteamClean option enhances an existing wash cycle, such as the China/Crystal cycle, with improved soil and spot cleaning to produce an even more lustrous shine. In addition to steam, these models also have a new silent sound package, making an already quiet, energy efficient dishwasher even quieter.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion, 73,000 employees, and 72 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. Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation

CONTACT: Monica Teague of Whirlpool Corporation, +1-269-923-7405, Monica.Teague@Whirlpool.com