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You are here: Home / Archives for Heating and Cooling

Heating and Cooling

Space Heater Safety – Keep Your Loved Ones Safe

December 18, 2010 By NightOwl

A portable electric heater can be a great convenience in cold weather, but if not used properly can be a fire or electric shock hazard. The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) has developed this helpful list of tips for safely using a portable electric heater. Take time to review the information in
this guide, as well as the use and care manual provided by the manufacturer.

These safety tips apply to all types of portable electric heaters.

    Read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels before using your portable electric heater.
    spacer

    DO NOT leave operating heater unattended and always unplug heater when not in use.

    DO NOT use your heater with a power strip or extension cord. Overheating of a power strip or extension cord could result in a fire.

    String out cords on top of area rugs or carpeting. Placing anything, including furniture, on top of the cord may damage it.

    Keep combustible materials, such as furniture, pillows, bedding, papers, clothes and curtains at least three feet from the front of the heater and away from the sides and rear. DO NOT block heater’s air intake or exhaust source.

    Keep flammable materials away from the heater.

    Unless the heater is designed for outdoor use or in bathrooms, DO NOT use in damp or wet areas. Parts in the heater may be damaged by moisture.

    Check periodically for a secure plug/outlet fit. If the plug does not fit snugly into the outlet or if the plug becomes very hot, the outlet may need to be replaced. Check with a qualified electrician to replace the outlet.

    Unplug the heater when not in use by pulling the plug straight out from the outlet. Inspect the heater’s cord periodically. DO NOT use a heater with a damaged cord.

    DO NOT plug any other electrical device into the same outlet as your heater. This could result in overheating.

    Heaters should be kept away from children and not be placed in a child’s room without supervision.

    Place heater on a level, flat surface. Only use heater on table tops when specified by the manufacturer. DO NOT place your heater on furniture. It could fall, dislodging or breaking parts in the heater.

Filed Under: Features, Heating and Cooling, Household, Safety, Small Appliances, _ Tips Tagged With: AHAM, AHAM safety, heater safety, poetable heater safety, portable heaters, space heaters. heating

GE’s Plans to Help You Manage Your Energy Use

December 10, 2010 By NightOwl

GE Appliances & Lighting created the Home Energy Management (HEM) business, intending to be the first major appliance company to provide a whole-home solution for energy management.

When synchronized with the local utility company’s home smart-meter, coming into popular use, the HEM acts as the “central nervous system” for monitoring resource usage and controlling energy consumption within the home. The HEM, with the ability to collect data on multiple appliances, provides both real-time and long-term trend information on power and resource consumption and solar generation to the homeowners.

GE’s new Home Energy Manager (HEM) monitors all networked appliances which can include the refrigerator, range, dishwasher, washer and dryer, water heater, and will track all other home energy consumption including microwaves and televisions.

One of the primary goals of U.S. smart grid initiatives is to better use the energy production capacity the country already has. Home energy consumption efficiency can increase significantly when homeowners the option to participate in time-of-use pricing programs, which reward homeowners for lowering their consumption during periods of peak energy demand (usually 2-7 PM).

Simply providing consumers with energy consumption information motivates energy savings. A U.S. Department of Energy study showed that providing real-time pricing information to consumers via a smart meter helped reduce electricity costs 10% on average and 15% during peak periods.

“Knowing what is consuming electricity, and how much electricity that appliances are consuming, can be very empowering,” states Dave McCalpin, general manager of the new HEM business. “People will be able to make smarter choices if they have information. The once-a-month electrical bill provides no insight into your usage habits. We intend to change that.”

HEM’s design is targeted to include:

* Demand Response Integration, supporting communication standards Zigbee SEP 1.0, to enable demand response communication between a utility’s home smart meter and appliances on the home network, enabling real-time load shedding of networked appliances;
* Five-Day Weather Forecasts on Internet-enabled installations (communications supporting Ethernet, Wifi, and Zigbee SEP 1.0 standards);
* Electricity Usage Data Monitoring for the whole home for both short and long terms;
* Power Sub Metering for each GE demand response-enabled appliance;
* Solar Generation Monitoring of inverter output, including short- and long-term data where available;
* Water Usage Monitoring via household-wide data monitoring at 1-gallon resolution;
* Smart Thermostat Interface with full-featured seven-day programmable communicating thermostats that accepts demand response temperature offsets.

Filed Under: choosing a Kitchen Appliance, Dishwasher, Dryers, Features, Gas Range, Heating and Cooling, Household, Kitchen, Laundry, Microwave Oven, News, Ranges Ovens and Cooktops, Refrigerators and Freezers, Small Appliances, Washing Machine Tagged With: energy use, energy useage, GE, GE appliances, GE electronics, GE energy savings, GE's HEM, programmable thermostats, saving energy, smart grid

Recall: Meijer Oscillating Ceramic Heaters Due to Fire Hazard

November 26, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of Product: Touch Point Oscillating Ceramic Heaters

Units: About 6,700

Importer: Meijer, of Grand Rapids, Mich.

Manufacturer: Ningbo Dongji Electronic Tech Co. LTC, of Ningbo, Dongki, China

Hazard: The oscillating mechanism in the heaters can short out, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Meijer has received two reports of incidents involving fires that resulted in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves Touch Point PTC oscillating ceramic heater with model number PTC-902 and serial numbers between 35005-43008. Model and serial numbers are located on a sticker on the bottom of the heater. The grey/silver colored heaters are about 10 inches tall and have a screen across the front.

Sold exclusively at: Meijer stores in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio from October 2009 through October 2010 for about $25.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled heaters and return them to the nearest Meijer retail store for a full refund of the purchase price.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Meijer toll-free at (866) 280-8419 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.meijer.com

Filed Under: Features, Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Recalls, Safety, Small Appliances Tagged With: Meijer Oscillating Ceramic Heaters, Meijer Oscillating Ceramic Heaters recall, Oscillating Ceramic Heater recall

EnergyStar Ratings – Can They be Trusted?

May 17, 2010 By NightOwl

According to retailers, the Federal Appliance Rebate Program has increased appliance purchases nationwide.  The rebate is for energy efficient appliances which is great – only you might not be getting what that EnergyStar  label promises.

A recent report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) suggests that some Energy Star products aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.

Responding to a request for investigation from Sen. Susan Collins (R., Maine), the GAO submitted 20 fictitious products between June 2009 and March 2010 for certification by Energy Star, a joint program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). Fifteen of the fakes–including a phony “room-air cleaner” that was little more than a space heater with a feather duster taped to it–received an Energy Star label.

Parade Magazine reports that in response, federal officials announced plans to strengthen the program. From now on, each application will be reviewed individually by an EPA staff member (as opposed to the automated approval process previously in place). By the end of the year, companies that want Energy Star certification for their products will be required to submit lab results from an independent testing agency rather than conduct their own evaluations.

Meanwhile, consumer advocates say we can still have faith in our Energy Star appliances: Most Energy Star brands on the market are about 10% more energy-efficient than their counterparts.

Sen. Collins applauds the reforms, calling them long overdue. “Energy Star wasn’t just slipping a bit,” she says. “It was in danger of falling off the quality cliff–putting taxpayers at risk of getting ripped off. Now that the EPA and DOE are moving to put more stringent oversight in place, I believe consumers will be better served and the integrity of the program will be restored.”

Filed Under: choosing a Kitchen Appliance, Dishwasher, Dryers, Features, Gas Range, Heating and Cooling, Household, Kitchen, Laundry, News, Oven, Ranges Ovens and Cooktops, Refrigerators and Freezers, Washing Machine Tagged With: appliance, appliance rebates, appliances, choosing appliances, energy star, energyStar, Federal Appliance Rebates, State Appliance Rebates

Just How Much Energy is That Appliance Using?

May 10, 2010 By NightOwl

My computer stays on through the week, only getting shut off on the weekend.  My answering machine and TV stay plugged in, their little red lights glowing in the night.  I do turn off the treadmill between uses and the DVD player too.

My energy habits are probably similar to many Americans.  If you’re wondering how much energy you’re wasting, or conversely, saving by turning appliances off, check out this energy calculator from GE:

This is a really cool tool that calculates  how much power each appliance consumes in watts or kilowatthours.  Alternatively, you can see how much each appliance costs to use in dollars, and how much it consumes in equivalent gallons of gas.

Some appliances are marked with a blue star indicating that an  EnergyStar model is available or click on the green star to see how much energy (and money) you’ll save with a new appliance.

Filed Under: choosing a Kitchen Appliance, Dishwasher, Dryers, Features, Gas Range, Heating and Cooling, Household, Kitchen, Laundry, Microwave Oven, Multimedia, Office, Oven, Personal Care, Ranges Ovens and Cooktops, Refrigerators and Freezers, Small Appliances, Vacuum Cleaners, Washing Machine Tagged With: appliance energy use, appliance use, energy star appliances, energy use, GE, kilowatthours, using kilowatthours

Approved Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Programs

April 28, 2010 By NightOwl

If you are wondering which Department of Energy (DOE) rebates are available in your state, just check out this interactive map.  There is also a simple table listing the individual states along with the total rebate dollars available, websites and phone numbers.

DOE has approved the appliance rebate programs for the states and territories linked or listed on this page as of April 27, 2010. This list and map will be updated as additional program details are available.  This DOE site is the only official DOE-sponsored Web site – beware of other unofficial sites.

Filed Under: choosing a Kitchen Appliance, Dishwasher, Dryers, Features, Gas Range, Heating and Cooling, Household, Kitchen, Laundry, News, Oven, Ranges Ovens and Cooktops, Refrigerators and Freezers, Washing Machine Tagged With: appliance rebate programs, appliances, DOE appliance rebate programs, finding appliance rebate programs, map of appliance rebate programs, rebates, State Appliance Rebates

Recall: Lennox Hearth Products Vent-Free Gas Logs and Fireplaces Due to Gas Leak and Fire Hazards

April 7, 2010 By NightOwl

Name of product: Superior VFGL Vent-Free Gas Log Sets and VF Vent-Free Fireplaces

Units: About 5,700

Manufacturer: Lennox Hearth Products, of Nashville, Tenn.

Hazard: The front burners of vent-free gas log set fireplace inserts and the vent-free fireplaces can fail to ignite allowing gas to escape and posing a fire or explosion hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Lennox received two reports from installers of the log sets failing to light. No injuries were reported.

Description: The recalled products are Lennox Superior brand VFGL Log Sets and VF4000, VF5000 and VF6000 fireplaces. Log sets are comprised of ceramic-fiber logs with a dual gas burner system and are designed to be placed in a wood-burning fireplace or a ventless firebox enclosure. Fireplaces are comprised of log sets, a ventless firebox enclosure and accessories. Each product has a metal rating plate attached to the grate of the log sets or to the frame of the fireplaces containing the unit’s model number, serial number and other information. The following models are affected by this recall:

Vent-Free Gas Log Set Models

VFGL18 — MSN — 4
VFGL18 — MSP — 4
VFGL24 — MSN — 4
VFGL24 — MSP — 4
VFGL28 — MSN — 4
VFGL28 — MSP — 4
VFGL18 — VSN — 4
VFGL18 — VSP — 4
VFGL24 — VSN — 4
VFGL24 — VSP — 4
VFGL28 — VSN — 4
VFGL28 — VSP — 4

Vent-Free Gas Fireplace Models

VF4000 — CHN — 2
VF4000 — CHP — 2
VF4000 — CMN — 2
VF4000 — CMP — 2
VF5000 — CMN — 2
VF5000 — CMP — 2
VF6000 — CMN — 2
VF6000 — CMP — 2

Included in this recall are units with serial numbers starting with “6408C” through “6408M,” and those starting with “6409.” Units that had repairs made to the burner assembly between March 2008 and December 2009 are also included.

Sold by: Various fireplace and HVAC retailers and installers from March 2008 through December 2009 for approximately $540 to $775 for the log sets and $1,300 to $1,850 for the fireplaces.

Manufactured in: U.S.A.

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled log sets and fireplaces and contact Lennox for information about how to arrange for a free inspection and repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Lennox Hearth Products at (800) 826-8546 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at http://www.lennoxhearthproducts.com


Filed Under: Features, Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Recalls, Safety Tagged With: fireplace recall, gas fireplace recall, gas log recall, Lennox Hearth Products Vent-Free Gas Logs and Fireplaces, Recall Lennox Hearth Products Vent-Free Gas Logs and Fireplaces

Getting Your Government Funded Appliance Rebate

February 22, 2010 By NightOwl

The good news is  that the US Government’s appliance rebate program has finally begun.  The bad news is that you have a bit of footwork to do before you get it.

Under the federal program, the rebates can go to buyers of new central air conditioners, room air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, furnaces, washers, dishwashers, freezers, refrigerators, and water heaters with the Energy Star seal.  Also, it doesn’t matter how old your clunker appliance is, it needn’t be in working order and, in some states, such as Arizona and Florida, you won’t even need to trade it in.

The tricky part is that each state will run its program differently, deciding which of the possible products it will include in the program, when to start and stop offering rebates, the size of the rebates, and which residents will qualify. In Minnesota, for instance, only washers, dishwashers, freezers and refrigerators are covered. The refrigerator rebate is worth up to $100 in Nebraska, but no more than $50 in Georgia. The Alaskan program is limited to residents receiving disability payments from the state or federal government. In Kansas and Oregon, rebates are restricted to low-income people. States have until February 2012 to allocate their rebate money, but the programs will likely expire long before then. Some will last only a week.

Eight states (Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Kansas, New Jersey, Oregon, Vermont and Wisconsin) have launched their appliance programs, at least for some products, to capitalize on President’s Weekend appliance sales. The rest are likely to rev up by May, many around Earth Day in April. You can find the rules for your state’s program at Energy Star Web site.

More details to be aware of courtesy of CBSNews.com:

Energy Star appliances can cost $50 to $100 more, on average, than ones that don’t. But the appliance should pay for itself over five or six years through savings on your utility bill. In some cases, your savings come faster. Replacing a washer made before 2000 with a new Energy Star model, for example, can save up to $135 a year, according to the Department of Energy.

• Only 55 percent of new major appliances have the Energy Star label. So you might not be able to get the rebate on the product you want to buy.

• You might not actually get cash. Although some states will issue rebate checks, many will instead give out prepaid cards issued by Visa or MasterCard.

• Unlike “Cash for Clunkers,” where dealers handled all the paperwork, in most states you have to deal with the forms to get your rebate. That means mailing in your receipt, along with proof of residency, a rebate form from the retailer or your state energy department web site, and usually proof that your clunker appliance was picked up.

• It’ll take roughly four to six weeks to get the rebate.

Before you shop:

1. Drill down into the details of your state’s plan. Some states have rigorous requirements about which products qualify, beyond the Energy Star stamp. Others are rolling out their programs in two phases.
Minnesota and Texas let consumers reserve rebates online or by calling a toll-free number about two weeks before they buy. Check online to see if your state has rebate funds left. Some state sites provide an up-to-date tally of the amount left in the kitty.

2. Make sure the retailer you plan to visit is participating. Some small dealers are sitting out because they’ve decided the program is too costly. In Georgia, online purchases won’t qualify.

3. Learn the precise rebate amount for the appliance you’ll buy. You may encounter unexpected twists. In New York’s “Great Appliance Swap-Out,” consumers get rebates for buying eligible appliances individually or in a bundle of three, where the rebate may be larger.

4. See if you’ll get a recycling bonus. Some states boost the rebate by $25 to $75 if you recycle your old appliance.

5. Ask about additional deals. There’s a good chance your new appliance is also eligible for a manufacturer’s rebate or store promotion, too. You may also be able to combine a state rebate with the federal one. Call your local utility to see if it is dangling rebates, too. Often, utilities offer $50 off new energy-conserving appliances. The Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency is a good place to do your research.

6. Apply for the rebate as soon as you can. Some retailers have in-store computer kiosks where customers can apply for rebates on the spot. In Georgia and New York, as soon as you’ve bought a qualifying appliance, you can reserve a rebate either online or by calling a toll-free number. Since states will halt their programs when their money runs out, you won’t want to conserve your energy when it comes to applying for rebates.

Filed Under: choosing a Kitchen Appliance, Dishwasher, Dryers, Features, Gas Range, Heating and Cooling, Household, Kitchen, Laundry, News, Oven, Ranges Ovens and Cooktops, Refrigerators and Freezers, Washing Machine Tagged With: appliance buying tips, appliance cash for clunkers, appliance rebates, appliances, buying a new appliance, cash for clunkers, energy star, government rebates, new appliances, rebates

Recall: Dehumidifiers by LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Due to Fire and Burn Hazards

December 31, 2009 By NightOwl

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 products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Portable Dehumidifiers

Units: About 98,000

Manufacturer: LG Electronics Tianjin Appliance Co., of China

Hazard: The power connector for the dehumidifier’s compressor can short circuit, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: LG has received 11 reports of property damage incidents involving arcing, heat, smoke, including four fires that spread to the building structure and involved significant smoke/water damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves 30 pint portable dehumidifiers sold under the brand names in the chart below. The dehumidifiers are white with a red shut-off button, controls for fan speed and humidity control and a front-loading water bucket. “Goldstar” or “Comfort-Aire” is printed on the front. The model and serial numbers are printed on the interior of the dehumidifiers and can be viewed after the water bucket is removed.

Brand Model No. Serial Number Range Sold at
Goldstar GHD30Y7 611TAxx00001~08400
611TAxx08401~40600
612TAxx00001~20400
612TAxx21001~30600 Home Depot
Goldstar DH305Y7 612TAxx00001~00600
701TAxx00001~16800
702TAxx00001~03000 Wal-Mart
Comfort-Aire BHD-301-C 611TAxx00001~01697
612TAxx00001~04200
701TAxx00001~00578
710TAxx00001~00599 Heat Controller Inc.

Sold at: The Home Depot, Walmart and Heat Controller Inc. nationwide from January 2007 through June 2008 for between $140 and $150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled dehumidifier, contact LG to determine if it is included in the recall and return it to an authorized LG service center for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact LG toll-free at (877) 220-0479 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday and between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. CT on Saturday for the location of an authorized LG service center for the repair, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.30pintdehumidifierrecall.com

dehumidifier
CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Filed Under: Features, Heating and Cooling, Household, News, Recalls, Safety, Small Appliances Tagged With: appliance recall, dehumidifier, dehumidifier recall, LG appliances, LG electronics, LG electronics recall, LG recall, recall, Tianjin Appliance Co., Tianjin Appliance Co. recall

Truth in Appliance Energy Labeling

December 21, 2009 By NightOwl

Those yellow energy guide labels we all rely on to pick energy efficient appliances, have come under scrutiny from the US Department of Energy (DOE). As we wrote about in November, manufacturers covet the EnergyStar label and use the yellow sticker to entice buyers.

Those labels may not be as accurate as you think. A review of previous filings for the labels found instances of missing or incorrect information.

The DOE addressed the problem this month by giving manufacturers 30 days to provide accurate information on their products’ energy use. Also, it promised to take a tougher stance to enforce energy-efficiency standards.

The agency said makers of such products as refrigerators, dishwashers and air conditioners have until Jan. 8 to provide the information, which is primarily used to certify that the appliances meet minimum energy-efficiency standards

Filed Under: choosing a Kitchen Appliance, Dishwasher, Features, Heating and Cooling, Household, Kitchen, News, Refrigerators and Freezers Tagged With: Department of Energy, Dishwasher, DOE, energy efficiency, energy efficient appliances, energy saving appliances, energy star, energy star refrigerator, refrigerator, yellow energy guide, yellow label

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