Whirlpool Corporation has won the 2010 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

It is the company’s 11th top Energy Star award and the fifth time in a row that it has taken the Sustained Excellent prize.

Indeed, Whirlpool reported that it had won 22 Energy Star awards in total – more than any other appliance manufacturer.

The company pointed out that a survey it carried out with Harris Interactive found that the majority of US consumers (59 per cent) would rather spend more money on home appliances now to save energy later.

"Whirlpool Corporation's continued leadership and commitment to energy efficiency is a testament to what we can accomplish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our global environment," said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for air and radiation at the USA’s Environmental Protection Agency.