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Dirt Devil’s KRUZ

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If you like having a cordless vacuum handy for quick clean-ups, and you have a house with hard surfaced floors, Dirt Devil’s KRUZ cordless floor vac might be your next lightweight vacuum purchase.

This five pound, bagless upright offers easy maneuverability, allowing you to twist 360 degrees to reach around furniture and into hard to reach spaces. The KRUZ hard floor cleaner comes with “Soft Touch” bumpers to keep furniture and floors safe. Other features include a replaceable filter and and charging station.
You can view a short video of the Kruz here
The lowest price we found was about $70.

Buying a Snowblower?

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I know, Spring is almost here – you don’t want to think about heavy snow and getting out of the driveway – but some local stores are trying to sell off their inventory of snowblowers.  This might be your best chance to snag a blower that will make next Winter’s snow removal a breeze.  Well, one can dream, right?

If you’ve been eyeing a deal at your local hardware store and just aren’t sure if it’s the right tool for your needs, read on for some guidelines and tips for buying a snowblower.

Single or Two Stage Blowers:

Single blowers are best for snowfalls of less than eight inches and on level walks or decks. It works by picking up snow and propelling it out of a chute.  They are less costly, but can kick up stones.

Two stage blowers are best for big snowfalls and long, wide driveways.  It will have a stong auger to break up snow and ice which a blower sends through a chute.   These blowers can clear up to a 28″ wide area and had drive wheels to provides traction on hills. The auger does not touch the ground, so it will not throw gravel.  Two stage blowers are heavier than single stage and are bulky making them difficult to handle.  They can also be costly – sometimes moore than $2,000.

Features:

Electric starter – is easier to use than a pull-string, manual start

Horsepower – 5hp to 7hp should do the job unless you are throw wet, heavy snow or throwing snow over a fence.  For that, look for 10hp or more.

Headlights – nice for dark mornings

Snow throwing – your neighbor will appreciate the separate controls that allow you to adjust the angle of the chute and keep the snow off his driveway

Trigger drive release – allows for easier turning

Finally, you’ll need to decide on a gas or electric model.  All two stage and some single stage models are powered by gas.   Gas blowers require having a regular supply of fuel available and regular engine maintenance.  Gas blowers are also very loud.  Electric one stage blowers are quieter, but they are limited by the length of the power cord.

Be Frugal and Eco-Friendly?

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Appliance makers are attuned to the changing attitudes of consumers. Manufacturers are marketing their appliances not only as green, but as cost saving as well.  According to the Wall Street Journal and Yahoo, appliance manufacturers are pushing the financial savings because their eco-friendly green appeal alone may otherwise be a hard sell in a recession. But energy-efficient gadgets are also becoming more attractive because the price difference between them and traditional devices is narrowing.  Whirlpool now offers Energy Star-rated models of its Classic washers and dryers, which are priced between $549 and $679 and are generally cheaper than its other lines.

More appliance makers are trying to quantify exactly how much energy and how many dollars people can save in the long run. “If they can see in black and white that there is a cost savings involved, they are more inclined to buy it,” says Mark Delaney, director of the home-industry sector at NPD Group, a market research firm.

The cost savings don’t usually amount to much in the short term. And many families may not see the kinds of savings that the companies promise. That is because company estimates make certain assumptions, such as how long the new product lasts, how old your previous appliances were, and whether you are using the latest gadget with other energy- or water-efficient devices under the same brand name.

Government rebates can add to the savings, however. At least 15 states — Colorado, Arizona and Illinois are examples — have rebate programs for Energy Star appliances, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. The programs are often offered through utility companies. For instance, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in California offers rebates of up to $75 for washers and up to $50 for dishwashers and room air conditioners for certain Energy Star-designated models.

And more rebate programs may be on the way. The stimulus bill recently passed by the U.S. House of Representatives includes $300 million to fund such rebates. If the provision is a part of the final bill signed into law, it would allow more states to adopt similar programs for consumers who want to replace older appliances, says Jill Notini, spokeswoman for the home-appliance trade group.

To be sure, manufacturers are continuing to unveil appliances that simply contain eco-friendly features and have green appeal. Whirlpool, for instance, is rolling out a Resource Saver refrigerator in March for $2,099. It exceeds federal energy-efficiency standards by 30% and uses energy comparable to the amount required to power a 60-watt light bulb, Whirlpool says. The company also released last Sept. a dishwasher priced at $799 that saves consumers 4,300 more gallons of water a year compared to hand-washing, Whirlpool says. 

So,  take the time to shop around, and compare not only prices, but the long-term cost savings that can come from using an energy efficient appliance over a number of years.

Fisher & Paykel Struggling – Whirlpool Not Buying, But Sears is Selling

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Appliance manufacturer Fisher & Paykel’s debt is predicted to rise to next month as a result of the depreciating New Zealand dollar and a drop in sales. Its profits were expected to drop up to fifty-four percent.

The New Zealand company told investors in February that it was in talks with a number of parties in a bid to raise capital to help with debt levels, Whirlpool was thought to be one of the contenders.

David Graham, Whirlpool general manager of marketing for Australia and New Zealand, told the New Zealand Herald his company would not be the white knight. “At this juncture we are not seeking to acquire Fisher & Paykel New Zealand,” he said.

Commentators said there was only a small chance Fisher & Paykel would find a cornerstone investor to help take on more than $500m in debt when many companies were struggling themselves.

A Government bailout was unlikely and a capital raising from shareholders was the only real option for Fisher & Paykel, they said.

At the same time, Fisher & Paykel Appliances will launch a new brand of home appliances at Sears outlet stores beginning in April. The new Elba by Fisher & Paykel brand will be manufactured in Fisher & Paykel’s North American facilities.

Commenting on the new brand launch in the U.S., Mike Goadby, North American president for Fisher & Paykel Appliances, said, “The company is adapting a strategy it employed in the New Zealand market for the past 12 months with promising results. Fisher & Paykel’s decision to extend its brand is necessary to continue to promote company growth.”

Bosch Refrigerators Now at Sears

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If you’ve always wanted to own a Bosch refrigerator but don’t have a Bosch reseller in your town, Sears may be able to help you out. Many Sears stores have been carrying some Bosch appliances. Now consumers can view a complete kitchen suite of Bosch appliances at Sears.

ENERGY STAR®-qualified Linea joins other eco- friendly Bosch appliances available at Sears, including dishwashers, laundry, wall ovens, cooktops, ventilation and ranges.

About Linea Refrigeration

Linea brings a perfectly flush, built-in look to the full-line Bosch kitchen, making it ideal for new kitchens, or as a stylish replacement for high energy-consuming refrigerators.

Convenience:

— Height-adjustable EasyLift(TM) door bin and shelves provide an easy way to accommodate over-size food items without having to unload and reload the contents of the fridge.

— Detachable CoolPaks(TM), perfect for portable coolers, free up valuable space in the freezer.

— Linea’s unique LED lighting solution, CoolGlow(TM), brightly illuminates the entire refrigerator and freezer, ensuring no food gets overlooked or forgotten.

— The exterior ice/water dispenser is integrated flush and frameless to accommodate tall glasses and pitchers to fill with crystal-clear, filtered water, ice cubes and crushed ice.

— Exterior touch controls enable all refrigerator and freezer functions to be controlled without opening the doors. This improves food preservation and reduces energy consumption.

— Sabbath mode helps families honor this religious observance by turning off interior lighting and acoustic signals while temporarily locking the display panel buttons.

Performance:

— Linea’s Dual Evaporator System keeps the air-flow and aromas separate between the fridge and the freezer while an AirFresh carbon filter further reduces unwanted odors.

— AntiBacterial wall linings provide a hygienic atmosphere.

— The FreshProtect(TM)Box temperature controlled drawer provides three precise optimized storage settings for fish and meat, dairy and produce.

— SuperCool and SuperFreezer modes protect all the food in the fridge when freshly-prepared foods are introduced.

Efficiency:

— Linea is ENERGY STAR-qualified, the industry standard in environmental responsibility.

— Linea’s Eco and Vacation cooling modes help reduce energy costs compared to continual operation in standard mode.

Design:

— The long door with hidden hinges provides a seamless built-in look.

— All metal handles, high end glass shelves, and metal look trims give a premium appearance.

— A hide-away water filter is stowed away in an easy access compartment in the interior ceiling. This unique space solution maximizes storage capacity.

Models:
— 800 Series available in Stainless Steel
— 500 Series available in Stainless Steel, High Gloss Black and White
— 300 Series available in Stainless Steel
— Suggested MSRP $2,299-$3149, but customers should check their local Sears store or sears.com for sale pricing.

Cook Microwave Ready Meals Safely

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After more than thirty people in twelve states contracted salmonella from microwaveable dinners, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a warning on February 12th about microwaving food.

“Foods cooked improperly in the microwave have the potential to make people sick,” said Graciela Padua, a research associate professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

Padua added that one of the main reasons for the salmonella outbreak is because people simply don’t follow the directions on the food’s packaging. If consumers read the instructions more carefully, the risk of sickness would be minimized, she said.

When you heat up a microwave ready meal, be sure the food is heated thoroughly, all the way through the package. If possible, stir the food to distribute the heat and continue cooking until the entire meal is hot to the touch.

Recall: Kidde to Replace Fire Extinguishers Due to Failure to Operate

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Name of product: Kidde XL Fire Extinguishers

Units: About 167,000

Distributor: Walter Kidde Portable Equipment Inc., of Mebane, N.C.

Hazard: The pressurized cylinders in the recalled fire extinguishers could lose pressure and fail to operate. In the event of a fire, this failure could put a consumer and property at risk.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves the Kidde XL Fire Extinguishers with model numbers FX340SC, FX340H, FX340GW, XL5MR, FX210R, FX340SC-2, FX210W, XL2.5TCZ-4, E-340-3 and with manufacture dates between October 2007 and April 2008. “Kidde” and the model number can be found on the label on the front of the extinguisher. The manufacture year is on the bottom of the extinguisher. If your extinguisher is one of the listed model numbers and is marked with the year 07 or 08, contact Kidde to determine if you have a recalled extinguisher.

Sold at: Department, home, and hardware stores nationwide from October 2007 through April 2008 for about $35.

Manufactured in: Mexico

Remedy: Consumers should immediately inspect the pressure gauge. If it points to the red zone, contact Kidde to receive a free replacement extinguisher. If the gauge is not in the red zone, but you have questions about an extinguisher within the listed model numbers, please contact Kidde for additional information.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Kidde at (888) 345-4407 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.Kidde.com

Recall: Hair Dryers By Big Lots Stores, Inc. Due to Electrocution Hazard

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Name of product: Style Elements Hair Dryers

Units: About 31,000

Importer: Big Lots Stores, Inc., of Columbus, Ohio

Hazard: The hair dryers are not equipped with an immersion protection device to prevent electrocution if the hair dryer falls into water. Electric shock protection devices are required by industry standards for all electric hand-held hair dryers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Style Elements Cool Shot Turbo hair dryers. The hand-held dryers have a silver body and black handle. Model number 3615T is printed on a label near the on/off switch.

Sold exclusively at: Big Lots’ stores nationwide from July 2008 through December 2009 for about $12.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the hair dryers and return them to any Big Lots store for a full refund.

Contact: For additional information, contact Big Lots toll-free at (866) 244-5687 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.biglots.com

Recall: Maytag Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

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Name of product: Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators

Units: About 1.6 million

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 41 reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 16 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Description: The recall includes certain Maytag®, Jenn-Air®, Amana®, Admiral®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side by side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:

  Serial Numbers ENDING with AND Model Numbers BEGINNING with
Side by Side
Refrigerators		 AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR,
AT, AV, AX, CA, CC, CE, CG, CJ, CL,
ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU,
ZW, ZY, ZZ		 ARS, CS, JC, JS, MS, MZ, PS
Top Freezer
Refrigerators		 AA, AC, AE, AG, AJ, AL, AN, AP, AR,
AT, AV, AX, ZK, ZM, ZQ, ZS, ZU, ZW,
ZY, ZZ		 AT, CT, MT, PT

Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from January 2001 through January 2004 for between about $350 and $1600.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com

 representative models pictured ( Other models are affected.)  

Appliance Energy Standards Might get Stricter

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According to the New York Times, The Department of Energy (DOE) is reevaluating its standards for energy efficient appliances and is considering raising the standards for qualification as an energy-efficient appliance.

“I am going to be looking at those because I have become more convinced that they are not as aggressive as they could be,” Energy Secretary Steven Chu said at a conference held by the Alliance to Save Energy. “So we will look at making them more aggressive.”

According to the nonprofit Appliance Standards Awareness Project, DOE’s deadlines call for final rules this month for ranges and ovens and commercial clothes washers, with final standards for multiple types of lamps due in June.

There are also a host of proposed standards due later this year, for products such as water heaters and pool heaters.

Chu stressed the key role that energy efficiency in appliances and buildings should play in curbing greenhouse gas emissions. He also emphasized the need to ensure that consumers see efficient appliances and home materials as choices that will ultimately save them money.

Chu also suggested a change in the Energy Star labeling program run jointly by U.S. EPA and DOE.

Floating the idea of a “superstar” category of perhaps the top 5 to 10 percent best performers, Chu said this would allow manufacturers to claim that their products would ultimately save consumers the most money despite higher up-front costs.