NightOwl

Read This Before You Buy Your Next Appliance

July 1, 2009 By NightOwl

Purchasing a major appliance is a major decision. To ensure satisfactory return on your investment, comparison shop before each appliance purchase.

The following pointers from The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers can help ensure your satisfaction with appliance purchases:

• Ask your dealer for specification sheets from several manufacturers who build the types of appliances you plan to purchase. Compare available features, designs and capacities;

• Read the warranty before finalizing your decision. Does the warranty cover the entire product? Only certain parts? Is labor included? How long does the warranty last?

• Ask you dealer for the appliance’s use and care manual and read it carefully before you buy the appliance. The dealer should have available manuals from the floor models. Reading the manuals will help you ask pertinent questions, tell you how the product operates and inform you of any special care the product needs;

• Decide which features you will really use. Consider the possibility of adding features at a later date, such as installing an icemaker in a refrigerator;

• Decide what capacity or size your family requires. For example, when purchasing a room air conditioner, know the dimensions of the room you want to cool and the number of windows, so you can select a model with sufficient cooling capacity;

• Check the space available for the appliance to make sure you select the right size unit and make sure halls and doorways allow clearance for entry and installation;

• Establish the cost of delivery and installation — are they included in the appliance’s price?

• Make sure authorized factory service is readily available in your area for the brand you select;

• Check the product’s design carefully to make sure it meets your needs and accommodates your habits and favorite cookware. Compare the designs of different models and brands;

• Compare price in relation to convenience and service, which will vary by model. Price tends to increase as features are added;

• Avoid overloaded circuits by making sure your house has adequate electrical service for the appliance. Check for adequately grounded, three-hole receptacles.

By doing your homework and being prepared, you can be an appliance buying superhero, avoiding the purchasing pitfalls that trip up ordinary shoppers.

Hannspree’s New LCD TV

June 29, 2009 By NightOwl

From TWICE Hannspree North America introduced Monday a 25-inch FullHD 1080p LCD TV as the first offering in its mainstream ST series line.

Model ST251MKB, which carries a $400 suggested retail, will be available exclusively at Costco and will be followed by larger models later this year.

Hannspree’s ST-series LCD televisions feature an all-black design with a glossy front bezel.

Included with the set will be a 6-foot HDMI cable and universal remote control.

The televisions will also include a PC input for use as a large-format computer monitor.

“Hannspree has delivered high-end, very unique televisions to the design-focused users. With the launch of ST series, now mainstream, value-minded users can benefit from our superior design, functionality and quality of our televisions,” said Wynn Yiu, Hannspree North America president.

Spare Parts After a Washer Repair – A Reader Shares His Story

June 26, 2009 By NightOwl

Recently one of our readers shared a humorous appliance repair story with us. We thought we’d spread the laughter out for a lighthearted weekend chuckle.

It happened a few years back when my neighbor knocked on my door hoping for some help. It seems he had a problem with his washing machine and knew he could count on me due to my vast knowledge of appliance repair (yeah, right). You can now see how this relates to having extra money. Don’t pay a repair man when you can do it yourself with a trusty neighbor’s help.

Actually, he had fixed his problem but was faced with a dilemma all great men are faced with following a repair. What to do with the parts that are left over. Well, he was fortunate, he only had one part left over and was hoping I could help him discover where it went. It was about 6 inches long, was a flattened piece of wire and was in the shape of an arch. Nothing about this thing looked familiar.

We went so far as tearing the machine back down to see where it could be missing and had been at it for about two hours without any luck when his wife returned home and asked what was up. Being a little frustrated and short on patience, my friend explained in man terms that, and I quote, “we are trying to figure out where this d????? piece of wire goes in this d????? washing machine.” She looked at the wire and started laughing. “What”, asked her husband.

“That’s not a part of the washing machine, that’s the under wire out of my bra.”

Money saved, time lost, and another successful d-i-y repair.

If you have your own humorous story you’d like to share, please feel free to post it in the comments section below or send it to stories@appliance.net

Repair or Replace? Be Careful What You Choose

June 24, 2009 By NightOwl

In the not so recent past, if a household appliance was in need of repair, technicians invoked the 50% rule – if a repair cost 50%or more than the cost of a new unit, buy the new one. But these days as the recession deepens, more homeowners and rethinking that advice.

Getting anything repaired, however, can be frustrating. To stay profitable, service companies book multiple appointments on the same day, forcing consumers to sit home and wait for hours. And because it would be impossible for technicians to drive around with every possible replacement part, some repairs require a followup visit that can be subject to the same inconveniences.

Typically manufacturers outsource warranty service to another company, which subcontracts the actual work to a third party. So after contacting the manufacturer, consumers frequently find themselves calling yet another number, and then later, after the service call has been arranged, communicating with a third party — who inevitably seems to have a different idea about when the work will be done and what the warranty covers.

Appliance-repair rage has also driven at least one person, a 42-year-old woman in northern England who says she endured six months of rescheduled appointments and other delays, to hold a repairman hostage until he fixed her washing machine. “I am not proud of what I did,” Tracey Fox told The Daily Telegraph in January, “but it was the only way I was going to get something done.”

After the nightmare comes the bill. Manufacturers intentionally charge a lot for replacement parts as a way of encouraging consumers to buy more products, said Ronald Sawyer, an appliance servicer in Cohoes, N.Y., and a founding member and executive director of the Professional Service Association, an appliance repair industry group. “When manufacturers came up with a machine that retails for $400, that price covers all parts,” he said. “But when it breaks down and you needed a new timer, the timer alone could cost $250. Manufacturers create the technology when they design new machines, they control the manufacturing process, they make the replacement parts, so we’re at the mercy of the manufacturers.”

The complexity of warranties makes matters worse. Years ago, most manufacturers gave warranties of at least two years. Now, however, warranties on most midrange appliances are just one year, say retailers and service providers. Boutique companies like Sub-Zero and Miele typically provide coverage for longer periods.

The best way to avoid the hassle of repair, according to numerous repairmen and Consumer Reports, is to buy the simplest possible appliance. “The more doo-dads, the more stuff you add to an appliance, the more likely it’s going to need a repair,” said Mark Kotkin of Consumer Reports National Research Center. Consumers would also be wise to recognize that the more sophisticated the equipment they purchase, the more complicated — and expensive — the repairs can be.

Still, few products will last as long as those made during the 1960s and 1970s. “The old Maytag washer your grandmother had, she bought that thing and used it for 35, 40 years,” Sawyer said. “It held up like nothing was ever going to go wrong with it. Today, you just don’t get that quality.”

You can read the whole story HERE

How to Save Energy Today, Tomorrow and All Year

June 22, 2009 By NightOwl

We’ve found your step-by-step guide to saving energy at home. Many of these suggestions are appliance related, but even if they’re not, saving energy is always a good idea. You can start today with these simple changes:

To Do Today:

Start using energy-saving settings on refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, and clothes dryers

Survey your incandescent lights for opportunities to replace them with compact fluorescents (CFLs).

These lamps can save three-quarters of the electricity used by incandescents. The best targets are 60-100W bulbs used several hours a day. New CFLs come in many sizes and styles to fit in most standard fixtures.

Check the age and condition of your major appliances, especially the refrigerator. You may want to replace it with a more energy-efficient model before it dies.

Clean or replace furnace, air-conditioner, and heat-pump filters.

If you have one of those silent guzzlers, a waterbed, make your bed today. The covers will insulate it, and save up to one-third of the energy it uses.

This Week:

Visit the hardware store. Buy low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, and compact fluorescent light bulbs, as needed. These can be purchased from any hardware or home improvement store. CFLs are now sold at some drug stores and grocery stores.

If your water heater is old enough that its insulation is fiberglass instead of foam, it clearly will benefit from a water heater blanket from the local hardware or home supplies store. (To tell the difference, check at the pilot light access (gas). For electric water heaters, the best access is probably at the thermostat, but be sure to turn off the power before checking.)

Rope caulk very leaky windows.

Assess your heating and cooling systems. Determine if replacements are justified, or whether you should retrofit them to make them work more efficiently to provide the same comfort (or better) for less energy.

This Month:

Crawl into your attic or crawlspace and inspect for insulation. Is there any? How much?
Insulate hot water pipes and ducts wherever they run through unheated areas.

Seal up the largest air leaks in your house—the ones that whistle on windy days, or feel drafty. The worst culprits are usually not windows and doors, but utility cut-throughs for pipes (“plumbing penetrations”), gaps around chimneys and recessed lights in insulated ceilings, and unfinished spaces behind cupboards and closets. Better yet, hire an energy auditor with a blower door to point out where the worst cracks are. All the little, invisible cracks and holes may add up to as much as an open window or door, without you ever knowing it!

Set your thermostat back (forward) when you can accept cooler (warmer) conditions. This generally includes night time and whenever you leave your home for several hours. Many people find it easier to use an ENERGY STAR programmable thermostat that will automatically adjust the thermostat based on your time-of-day instructions.

Schedule an energy audit for more expert advice on your home as a whole, or learn how to conduct your own by visiting the Home Energy Saver Web site.

This Year:

Insulate. If your walls aren’t insulated have an insulation contractor blow cellulose into the walls. Bring your attic insulation level up to snuff.

Replace aging, inefficient appliances. Even if the appliance has a few useful years left, replacing it with a top-efficiency model is generally a good investment.

Upgrade leaky windows. It may be time to replace them with energy-efficient models or to boost their efficiency with weatherstripping and storm windows.

Have your heating and cooling systems tuned up in the fall and spring, respectively. Duct sealing can also improve the energy efficiency and overall performance of your system (warm-air furnace and central air conditioners).

I know, it’s a long list, but taken one step at a time through the year it’s doable, and you will be making a difference not just in your pocketbook, but for the world.

New From Jenn-Air – Duct Free Down Draft Cooktop

June 19, 2009 By NightOwl

Jenn-Air is debuting its new duct-free downdraft cooktop, offering some of the industry’s best and quietest ventilation. This latest innovation allows high-rise dwellers and others who are unable to run ductwork or vent smoke outside to take advantage of the proven performance and versatility of downdraft ventilation technology.

Available this fall, along with the new collection of top-of-the-line wall ovens and cooktops, the exclusive duct-free downdraft kit allows for the high performance Jenn-Air downdraft ventilation system to be installed in virtually any home, including high-rise apartments and condos, without a major remodel to accommodate ducting. Using a powerful, filter to capture smoke and steam, the new duct-free downdraft system also allows for an open kitchen layout and the flexibility of placing cooktops on islands or peninsulas without having to worry about installation constraints. Aside from offering a smoke-free kitchen with virtually no design limitations, the new system has been refined to offer extremely quiet operation.

Additional features include touch control for a sleek, integrated surface that allows for easy cookware maneuvering and the highest BTU on a gas model downdraft cooktop. Other design elements include electronic ignition and automatic re-ignition in case gas flames are blown out; continuous cast-iron grates with a porcelain coating; and a shallow downdraft chamber for easier cleanup.

The new downdraft cooktop collection will be available in 30- and 36-inch configurations in Euro-Style Stainless finishes for both gas and electric models, and in Floating Glass and Oiled Bronze finishes for electric models. The new duct-free downdraft kit, available exclusively for use with the new collection of downdraft gas and electric cooktops, will be sold separately as an accessory.

Jenn-Air’s Newest Refrigerator Line

June 17, 2009 By NightOwl

Jenn-Air, is introducing a new collection of high performance built-in refrigerators; available configurations in the new fully-integrated flush built-in refrigerator collection include 36-inch bottom-freezer and popular side-by-side door models along with an industry-first 42-inch French door bottom-freezer model offering the widest interior space available in any flush refrigerator currently on the market.

Created with the design-conscious consumer in mind, the thinner exterior door provides a flush fit with custom cabinetry for a seamless exterior, while the interior features greater usable cubic space than similar flush refrigerators. High performance vacuum insulation panels help maintain energy and keep food fresher, longer. The articulated hinge is equipped with a multi-pivot arm mechanism for smooth opening and closing. This hinge allows the refrigerator door to swing beyond a 90 degree angle.

All refrigerators in the new line feature Advanced Climate Control Technology which allows customized drawer storage at lower temperatures than the refrigerator for highly perishable foods through independently controlled Advanced Climate Control bins. Four settings provide more precise control of different temperatures including deli, produce, meat and Quick Chill. The Quick Chill setting lowers the bin temperature below liquid freezing point for a period of one hour, ideal for quickly chilling white wine, sparkling water or other beverages. . An industry exclusive removable water filter conveniently located at the base grill is easily accessible and features PUR® filtering technology.

Launching this spring, style options include the sleek Euro-Style Stainless and the commercial look of Pro-Style® Stainless. Beginning this fall, the warm hued tones of Oiled Bronze and the contemporary Floating Glass in both black and white will be added to the collection and all finishes will be available with updated style options. For consumers who may redecorate frequently, the exterior panels of the refrigerators are designed as separate pieces and can be easily switched out with a different style panel without having to replace the refrigerator. The overlay model accepts custom panels and handles, allowing the refrigerator to blend seamlessly with existing cabinetry. The refrigerators are available in 36-inch bottom-freezer, 42-inch French door bottom-freezer, and 42-inch and 48-inch side by side non-dispensing configurations.

Haier Acquires 20% of Fisher Paykel

June 15, 2009 By NightOwl

Haier Group announced it is participating in Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ (FPA) recapitalization plan. The plan includes the issue of new shares, share placement from existing shareholders and a top-up placement. At the plan’s completion, Haier will hold a 20% stake in FPA and becomes a new cornerstone shareholder of the home appliances manufacturer from New Zealand.

Haier and FPA also signed a Cooperation Agreement for the benefit of both companies that includes the sharing of market, design and technology resources, corporate and product planning, coordination of both companies’s manufacturing resources, optimization of sourcing and cooperation of after sales services globally.

Under the Agreement, Haier will have exclusive marketing and distribution rights of Fisher & Paykel Appliances-branded products in China, and Fisher & Paykel Appliances will have exclusive marketing and distribution rights of Haier-branded products in Australia and New Zealand.

The Dishwasher of the Future – Washing With Air

June 12, 2009 By NightOwl

One of the big questions facing those of us who are trying to conserve water, is whether to wash dishes by hand or use the dishwasher. In most cases, the dishwasher uses less water, but for those folks who are still concerned, Hwang Jin Wook’s modern dishwasher prototype should intrigue you.

Hwang Jin Wook’s modern dishwasher concept developed for Electrolux uses air to clean the dishes by blowing away food bits. High-pressure air is used to clean the dishes. Steam is used to degrease the dishes and Ultraviolet rays are used to sterilize the dishes. Very little water is used to create steam but the water is recycled so essential water is never wasted.

It sounds like a great idea, but there is a small problem – the dishwasher cleans only two dishes at a time. This is a problem for most of us since a meal usually involves at least a pot or two and some utensils. Although now the unit is designed with single, young users in mind, expanding it to include family use will have a much greater impact on water conservation.

This is a great idea, can it be refined for mainstream use? We’ll wait and see.

You can read more here.

Time to Replace That Old Refrigerator

June 10, 2009 By NightOwl

Is your refrigerator more than ten years old? If so, replacing it can save you some serious money. The problem is can it save you enough to warrant shelling out the money for a new unit? A new refrigerator isn’t cheap, but an older one accounts for anywhere from 5-8 percent of your household energy.

The nonprofit advocacy group Alliance to Save Energy estimates that if the older refrigerators were replaced, Americans would save $866 million a year in utility costs. In general, a new efficient refrigerator uses about half the energy of its 10-year-old cousin, federal statistics show.

If you plan now, you might be prepared when the new federal stimulus bill funneling $300 million into rebates for energy-efficient appliances, is enacted. But be ready to act because with 112 million households in the country, that $300 million won’t go far.

How to know when to buy? Uncle Sam’s efficiency program, Energy Star, has a refrigerator calculator on its Web site: www.energystar .gov. All refrigerators manufactured in the United States must meet minimum efficiency standards, but Energy Star-certified models are at least 20 percent more efficient.

If you’re thinking of buying a new refrigerator, here are some tips from EnergyStar:

• Start with the calculator at www.energystar.gov.

• When shopping, factor in the appliance’s yellow “EnergyGuide” label listing the energy use and approximate annual operating cost.

• Go smaller. Larger models cost more to operate, and a full refrigerator is more efficient than a half-empty one.

• Models with top freezers are the most efficient, using 10 percent to 25 percent less energy than side-by-side models.

• Consider doing without the ice-maker and dispenser. These increase energy use by 14 percent to 20 percent.

To get the most out of any refrigerator:

• Position it away from heat – an oven or dishwasher. Leave room at the back and sides for air circulation.

• Keep the air intake and condenser coils clean.