New Double Oven Provides Flexibility; Saves Time and Energy BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Sept. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Sick of hot dogs and hamburgers but afraid to bake that lasagna for fear it will heat up the whole kitchen and your energy bill? According to previous Whirlpool Corporation research, the top unmet consumer need when it comes to cooking is energy efficiency and a recent survey revealed 84 percent of consumers said energy--not water or time--is most important to them when it comes to home appliance efficiency.* The new Whirlpool Gold(R) free-standing double oven is heating things up with an upper oven that uses 50 percent less energy and preheats in half the time, compared to a full size oven. The upper oven is a perfect size for reheating leftovers, baking a pizza or small batches of cookies without wasting energy. The ability to bake at two separate temperatures simultaneously means home cooks no longer have to play musical pans when trying to broil steaks and warm rolls at the same time. With the double oven's combined 6.3 cu. ft. capacity, you can even bake a cake, slow roast a turkey and all the side dishes and have it all ready by mealtime. In addition to saving time and energy, the range easily slides into the existing range space, allowing for the functionality and productivity of a double oven without having to renovate your kitchen. "The Whirlpool brand double oven range provides flexibility and conserves resources, allowing home cooks to take advantage of the benefits of a double oven without hassle and cost of a built-in," said Meghan Muenchow, Whirlpool brand manager. "Whether cooking two different things at once or making smaller meals that do not require a full size oven, consumers can save time, money and energy." Not only does the Whirlpool Gold double oven range have the ability to bake, broil and warm in the upper oven - it can toast - eliminating the need for a toaster/toaster oven and freeing up counter space. Both ovens feature the Precise Clean(TM) self-cleaning system, which runs only as long as necessary by automatically adjusting to soil levels without harsh chemicals or cleaners. The range's eco-friendly Schott Ceran(R) cooktop contains no toxic heavy metals and minimizes cleanup with a smooth glass surface that withstands intense heat without cracking or chipping. In addition to a six-inch warming zone on the cooktop, both ovens are also equipped with Sabbath mode which will not automatically shut off after 12 hours and can maintain a set temperature for extended periods of time. The Whirlpool Gold(R) double oven range (GGE350LW) will be available in white, black and stainless steel starting at $1,149. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/t8nbX. Methodology* This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive via its QuickQuery(SM) online omnibus service on behalf of Whirlpool Corporation between December 29 and 31, 2008, among 2,042 U.S. adults aged 18 years and older. Results were weighted as needed for region, age within gender, education, household income and race/ethnicity. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available. All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words "margin of error" as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the U.S. adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to be invited to participate in the Harris Interactive online research panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. About Whirlpool Brand Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $19 billion, 70,000 employees, and 68 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. Whirlpool brand recognizes that consumers lead busy, active lives and continues to create solutions that help consumers optimize productivity and efficiency in the home. In addition to designing appliance solutions based on consumer insight, Whirlpool brand is dedicated to creating ENERGY STAR(R) qualified appliances like the new Duet(R) washer which uses 74 percent less water and 80 percent less energy than a traditional top load washer manufactured before 2004. When used with the washer, the new Duet(R) Resource Saver(R) dryer improves dryer energy usage by 40 percent as compared to traditional top-load laundry pairs, average size load. Whirlpool is one of Habitat for Humanity's largest corporate partners, donating a refrigerator and range to every new Habitat for Humanity home built in North America. For more information on Whirlpool brand, please visit www.whirlpool.com. Additional information about the company can be found at www.whirlpoolcorp.com. About Harris Interactive Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research that is powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through our North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com. SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation Monica Teague of Whirlpool Corporation, +1-269-923-7405 Monica_L_Teague@Whirlpool.com, or Melissa Vigue of Peppercom for Whirlpool brand, +1-212-931-6165, mvigue@peppercom.com
