Four Big, Bad Dust Bunny Collections Named National Finalists in First-Ever American Standard Dust Bunny Challenge

America Votes Online July 31-August 21 for the Best of the Worst Dust Bunnies in the Nation

TYLER, Texas, July 31 -- American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning has selected four of the nation's biggest, baddest collections of dust bunnies -- those unwanted piles of dust, pet hair and other particles lurking in homes across the country. Now it's up to America to vote for the winner in the American Standard Dust Bunny Challenge contest.

Online voting begins today at www.americanstandardair.com/dustbunny and continues through Aug. 21. Consumers may select their favorite from among the four finalists, who submitted photos of their unwelcome dust bunny collections along with a 100-word essay about why they don't like them.

  Voters may select from the following national finalists:

  * The Dust Bunnies of Dusteria Lane - David Ahlborn, of Berwyn, Ill.
    Dusteria Lane is where they all reside. From the Lints to the Mites,
    these aren't your ordinary dust bunnies.

  * Dust Bunny Friends Won't Go Away - Lisa Martin, of Arlington, Texas
    Caught congregating in corners and crevices, these cute and
    not-so-cuddly little dust bunnies were caught making an innocent
    family sneeze and wheeze.

  * Dust Bunnies Times Three - Jeannie Miller, of El Dorado Hills, Calif.
    Soon-to-be-mom of triplets is concerned about the dirt and dust
    circulating in her air and she is not about to take this lying down.

  * Dust Monsters Take Over - Michele Pole, of Stuart, Fla.
    Changing out the air filter twice a month has the air conditioning
    system on the fritz. Dust monsters have begun to form, but the real
    bunnies aren't going to stand for it.

Based on online voting, the grand prize winner in the American Standard Dust Bunny Challenge will be selected at the end of August. The winner will receive a complete home comfort system featuring an American Standard AccuClean(TM) whole-house air filtration system; monthly house-cleaning service for one year; and two American Standard faucets with the new EverClean(TM) easy-to-clean finish. The grand prize package is worth $15,000.

"The four finalists represent the best of the worst dust bunnies in nation," says Joyce Warrington, national brand director, American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning. "Dust bunnies come in all shapes and sizes. But for all those dust bunnies you can see, there are millions more airborne dust particles and allergens you can't see. American Standard offers total comfort solutions to help families breathe easier."

The American Standard AccuClean removes up to 99.98 percent of airborne particles and allergens from the filtered air. With AccuClean whole-house air filtration, the majority of irritating particles like dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, lint, cooking smoke and even bacteria will be removed from the air -- making them less likely to add to a home's dust bunny collection.

Having launched on May 15, this was the first-ever American Standard Dust Bunny Challenge. Entries were received from across the country and narrowed down to four finalists. In addition to the grand prize winner, the three runners-up will receive a free, in-home assessment of their heating and cooling system and a $1,000 discount on a new American Standard comfort system.

Visit www.americanstandardair.com/dustbunny to view and vote for the finalists through Aug. 21. For information on finding an American Standard dealer near you, visit www.americanstandardair.com.

About American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning

American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning provides air conditioning systems and services for residential and light commercial applications. It is part of the American Standard Companies , a $10.3 billion global manufacturer with market-leading positions in three businesses: air conditioning systems and services, which includes the American Standard(R) brand; bath and kitchen products, sold under brands such as American Standard and Ideal Standard(R); and vehicle control systems, including electronic braking and air suspension systems, sold under the WABCO(R) name.

NOTE TO EDITORS: High resolution images are available upon request. Visit www.americanstandardair.com/dustbunny to review complete contest entries