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It’s really heating up outside and if you are like me, you want your home to be a respite from the heat. An air conditioner that is properly serviced runs more efficiently providing you with a cooler home for less money. You’ll ensure that you come home each day to a pleasantly cool [...]

It’s only June, but around here it feels like the height of summer.  Everyone is discussing their air conditioning or the lack of it.  If you are considering purcahsing a new air conditioning unit, we have some advice for you courtesy of the NY Daily News.  You need to sure the unit you purchase is [...]

Looking for ways to save money? Look no further than your kitchen. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) offers these simple energy savings tips to consumers looking for ways to cut energy bills this summer.
The energy consumed by home appliances has dropped sharply since 2000.
Refrigerators, dishwashers and clothes washers combined account for a 43% [...]

Name of Product: Fireplace Gas Valves
Units: About 12,000
Manufacturer: American Flame Inc., of Fort Wayne, Ind.
Hazard: Gas can continue to flow into the fireplace pilot light area after the switch has been turned “off,” posing a fire or explosion hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: American Flame has received two reports of incidents involving valve failure and continuous gas [...]

If you’ve been thinking about whether it is time to replace your aging appliances, or if you are wondering whether you could be saving the big bucks in energy costs if you had an all new suite of kitchen appliances,  Alina Tugend at the New York Times has some thoughts to share.
One of the first [...]

If you are lucky, you rarely need to pay much attention to the appliances that run, some of them 24 hours a day, in your home. But to keep everything trouble free, it’s good to follow some basic guidelines for care and safety when using or installing appliances in your home. Handymanclub.com offers some [...]

The Air-Conditioning  and Refrigeration Institute (ARI) is the trade association representing manufacturers of more than 90 percent of the air conditioning and commercial refrigeration equipment installed in North America.  They offer their advice on how save money and energy while using your heat and air at home.
A typical home cooling system has two parts: an [...]

U.S. factory shipments of residential cooling and heating equipment declined in February, compared with the same month a year ago, while the commercial market for these products maintained steady growth, according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI).
Central Air Conditioners and Air-Source Heat Pumps

Combined U.S. factory shipments of central air conditioners and air-source heat [...]

If you are confused by the different claims of energy efficiency by appliance manufacturers, JamesDulley of the Detroit Free Press has some helpful advice.
Depending upon the type of product and the fuel it uses, efficiency ratings can mean different things. Also, some manufacturers and/or salespeople play fast and loose with the accuracy of efficiency claims.
A [...]

I think it’s good to be reminded regularly to look after these appliances we spent so much to acquire.  So I feel justified in offering this list from the Sun Herald that nudges you to take a minute and check up on your household appliances. It could add years to their lifespan.
Refrigerator
Average life span: 14 years
What you need [...]

Carbon monoxide is a silent, odorless killer. As a household dweller, you are responsible for preventing the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) from harming you or your loved ones. Many household appliances emit CO, or can if they are not functioning properly.
Carbon monoxide is produced whenever fuel such as gas, oil, kerosene, [...]

Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you’re away or sleeping.  Some features are:
 more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats and improve your home’s comfort
contain no mercury
save energy and save money on utility bills — when used properly, about $150/year
are better for the environment, since using less energy [...]

Name of Product: Direct-Vent Wall Furnaces, Models RHFE 431 and RHFE 556
Units: About 52,000
Manufacturer: Rinnai America Corp., of Peachtree City, Ga.
Hazard: A gasket in the unit can fail, posing a risk of poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaking into the home.
Incidents/Injuries: Rinnai has received 11 reports of carbon monoxide leaking from the furnace. No injuries have [...]

Name of Product: Portable Electric Heaters
Units: About 152,000
Importer/Distributor: Aloha Housewares Inc., of Arlington, Texas
Hazard: The portable electric heater can overheat and melt plastic parts, posing a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Aloha Housewares has received 29 reports of the heaters melting, smoking or catching fire, including 18 reports of property damage. One consumer reported minor burns [...]

We may be halfway through the winter, but it’s never to late to check your furnace for safety and efficiency. Following some basic routine maintenance is one of the easiest ways to save money and hassles with your heating, and will also help with the air quality in your home. You can schedule [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that a liquidating trust acting on behalf of a now-dissolved manufacturer of heaters has agreed to pay the government a $500,000 civil penalty. The penalty settles allegations that Vornado Air Circulation Systems Inc., formerly of Andover, Kan., failed to [...]

Name of Product: Whole-house Exhaust Fan Electric Motors
Units: About 6,300
Manufacturer: A.O. Smith Electrical Products Co., of Tipp City, Ohio
Hazard: The fan’s electric motor can be miswired and overheat, posing a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: The recalled electric motor is part of a residential whole-house exhaust fan that is typically mounted on the floor of an [...]

Many people believe that an air cleaner will help their family be healthier.  Using an air cleaner or air purifier in your home supposedly helps reduce dust, pollen and other respiratory irritants.  There are three types of air cleaners,  High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, electrostatic precipitators, and ozone generators.
From the Arizona Daily Star:
1. High [...]

If you are shopping for eco-friendly appliances, here’s some good news from Twice.com:
Whirlpool will increase its commitment to environmentally-sound business practices by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions 6.6 percent by 2012, the company announced last week. The world’s largest majap maker will make these global, voluntary reductions while at the same time increasing production by [...]

Name of Product: Heat Recovery Ventilators
Units: About 1,100
Manufacturer: Venmar Ventilation Inc., of Quebec, Canada
Hazard: The thermal protector in these units can fail, posing a potential fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves heat recovery ventilators made between October 2006 and August 2007, and have the following brand names and model numbers:
Brand Models
Venmar 40225
Venmar [...]

Many people believe that an air cleaner will help their family be healthier.  Using an air cleaner or air purifier in your home supposedly helps reduce dust, pollen and other respiratory irritants.  There are three types of air cleaners,  High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters, electrostatic precipitators, and ozone generators.
From the Arizona Daily Star:
1. High [...]

As the days get colder, many people are bringing their electric heaters out for the season. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), the “best source of information about home appliances and the industry www.heatersafety.org. Tip number seven is one people might not be aware of:
Unless the heater is designed for outdoor use or [...]

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and Heat Pumps (PTHP)
Units: About 185,000
Manufacturer: Carrier Corp., of Farmington, Conn.
Hazard: [...]

Berko Electric Toe-Space Heaters Recalled Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Products: Toe-Space Electric Heaters
Units: About 84,000
Manufacturer: Berko Electric, of Peru, Ind., now known [...]

Electric Heaters Recalled by Aloha Housewares Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in
cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary
recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using
recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: “Aloha Breeze” Portable Electric Heaters
Units: About 281,000
Importer/Distributor: Aloha Housewares, Inc. [...]

Global warming aside, it seems that the “big box” stores have impacted corporations such as Fedders to the extent that they have changed direction and started producing a “broad line of residential, commercial and industrial IAQ and HVAC equipment”
“Founded in 1896, Fedders Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of air treatment products, including air conditioners, [...]

No its not your NANA’s silver its NANO silver from Samsung. Samsung, the monster Korean manufacturing conglomerate is taking advantage of silver’s ability to inhibit bacterial growth. By using Nano technology to drop create a mist of silver ions 1/75,000th the width of a human hair Samsung has created a [...]

The Holmes Group Recalls Oil-Filled Electric Heaters Due to Fire Hazard
Name of product: Holmes® Oil-Filled Electric Heaters
Units: About 300,000
Distributor: The Holmes Group, of Milford, Mass.
Hazard: A poor electrical connection within the heater can lead to overheating. This poses fire and thermal burn hazards.
Incidents/Injuries: The Holmes Group has received reports of 59 incidents involving the recalled [...]

Name of product: Holmes® Oscillating Tower Fans
Units: About 300,000
Distributor: The Holmes Group, of Milford, Mass.
Hazard: Electrical arcing in the fan’s wiring can cause a fire hazard.
Incidents/Injuries: The Holmes Group has received 16 reports of property damage, including one reported injury involving minor burns and smoke inhalation.
Description: The recall involves the Holmes HT30 Oscillating Tower Fan.
The [...]

Name of Product: Weil-McLain Ultra Series Gas Boilers
Units: About 16,000
Manufacturer: Weil-McLain, of Michigan City, Ind.
Hazard: These boilers were manufactured for use with natural gas, but could have a blue tag incorrectly indicating to installers that they are intended for use with LP (propane) gas. If an installer connects one of the boilers to LP gas [...]

With summer heat and threats of air conditioner supply shortages, if you can’t buy a unit, then keeping yours working is the way to go.
An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in [...]

Who better to tell us all we need to know about programmable thermostats than the government’s Energy Star, part of the Department of Energy.
Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you’re away or sleeping.
They:

are more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats and improve your home’s comfort
contain no [...]

If you are interested in saving energy, the government’s Energy Star program offers their seal of approval on programmable thermostats as well as a variety of household appliances. 
Programmable thermostats automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings, allowing you to save energy while you’re away or sleeping.
They:

are more convenient and accurate than manual thermostats and improve your [...]