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Bosch Adds to Upcoming State Appliance Rebates

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This year, from February through April, most of the U.S. states and territories will introduce customized rebate programs to encourage homeowners to replace their outdated, energy-wasting appliances in a fashion similar to the auto industry’s successful “Cash for Clunkers” program. To help inspire as many people as possible to make a green change in their homes, Bosch home appliances introduces additional rebate plans that can be used immediately, in conjunction with the SEEARP program, or with other rebates.

New Bosch Rebates

  • Up to $150 in rebates on the purchase of a Linea refrigerator through June 30, 2010
  • Up to $900 on select Bosch kitchen through May 31, 2010

Recall: Lysol Steam Cleaning Mop by Conair Corp. Due to Burn and Laceration Hazards

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Name of Product: Lysol Steam Cleaning Mop

Units: About 162,000

Distributor: Conair Corp., of Stamford, Conn.

Hazard: Hot water mixed with Lysol can forcefully spurt out and rupture the housing unit, posing a burn hazard and a laceration hazard to consumers from the broken housing unit.

Incidents/Injuries: Conair has received 14 reports of hot water forcefully spilling out of the water reservoir compartment including two minor burn injuries to consumers who sought medical attention.

Description: This recall involves the Lysol Steam Cleaning Mop by Conair with model numbers SM10L or SM10LR. The model number is printed on the bottom of the mop under the microfiber cloth.

Sold at: Department, drug, hardware and home improvement stores and mass merchandisers nationwide and on the Internet from September 2006 through September 2009 for about $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled mop and contact Conair to receive a free replacement steam cleaning mop.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Conair at (800) 687-6916 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.conair.com/recallmop

Washing Dishes in Mineral Water?

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This may sound like the bottled water craze had gone too far, but hold on, this might not be as inane as it sounds.  This is an innovation featured in the new Siemens speedMatic dishwasher designed to make the drying cycle faster and more efficient by heating up faster than regular H2O.

According to Greenlaunches.com, Siemens have come up with an environment friendly and green zeolitic drying system that has won the Award for Climate Protection and the Environment. Together with the Siemens speedMatic dishwasher, the system is around 20% more efficient than others in the highest energy-efficient category. It uses just 10 liters of mineral water instead of 14 liters per cycle and this technology will now be mass produced. The technology will also find its place in mid-range models and not just high-end ones. Minerals that generate supplementary heat that help shorten the program to less than two hours at 50 degrees Celsius makes it more efficient than other dishwashers around.

This heat is supplied by zeolites that are aluminosilicate minerals with a very large surface area and microporous structure. They absorb 40% of their dry weight in water and give of heat and also the absorbed water.  Conversely, they release the water they stored when they were heated. During the drying cycle, the warm, moist air is channeled into a container under the dishwasher interior space, where there are 1.15 kilograms of zeolites. The mineral absorbs the moisture and releases hot, dry air, making the drying cycle much faster. In the next washing cycle the minerals are regenerated when the moisture is removed from them as the dishwasher is heated up.

At 50 degrees Celsius, for example, the standard program is reduced to just under two hours, about 30 minutes less than is needed by conventional dishwashers. The speedMatic is thus the fastest dishwasher in the AAA (highest-efficiency) class. And thanks to its energySave function, the machine consumes about 20 percent less electricity than the previous best dishwasher in its class. Further attractive features are higher spray pressure for hard-to-clean pots and a clever device for improved dissolution of dishwasher tabs.  And for maximum hygiene, like the level required for baby bottles and cutting boards, the speedMatic’s rinse temperature can be set at over 70 degrees Celsius, which will kill 99.99 percent of all bacteria and germs.

Bendix is Back

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Marking the return of one of America’s most historic brands, a new line of home appliances has been unveiled under the venerable Bendix name.  Bendix Home Appliances invented the first front-loading washer in 1937. A  predecessor to today’s high efficiency front-loading washing machines, by the 1950s, Bendix was the top selling washer in the United States. Other home appliances followed, including a line of Bendix televisions and refrigerators.

Beginning February 3, 2010 with a selection of highly efficient washers, dryers and washer dryer combinations, the new Bendix line will be available online at BendixAppliances.com and through select U.S. dealers and distributors. Large capacity washers and dryers are also slated for release in later 2010. “The line will initially focuses on smaller energy efficient laundry machines, particularly ventless stackable sets and combos,” said Michael Lee, principal at JMM Lee Properties, LLC, the owner of the Bendix trademark. The Bendix line will cater to retail consumers and wholesale building accounts alike.

The first selection of Bendix washers are undergoing ENERGY STAR certification, which will likely qualify the products for U.S. Government efficiency rebates slated to go into effect in spring 2010. In addition to pending ENERGY STAR certification, the ventless dry system used in Bendix washer dryer combinations and stand-alone dryers, use 2/3 less energy compared to standard household vented dryers. “Green building is now done for more than just bragging rights,” said Lee, “It’s a significant selling point and consumers know what questions to ask and what products are most efficient.”

Frigidaire’s Swap and Save Works the $300M Rebate Program

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The newly introduced Frigidaire appliance line received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s prestigious 2010 ENERGY STAR award for Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion.  The award specifically recognizes the brand’s Swap and Save Energy Conservation Program.

The Swap and Save program was designed to educate consumers on the
energy and monetary benefits realized by trading in their old appliances for new Frigidaire ENERGY STAR qualified appliances.  Most recently, Frigidaire announced “Paid to Upgrade”, which was created to add additional value to consumers on top of the $300m State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program.

“As a proud ENERGY STAR partner, Frigidaire is committed to helping
our customers save money and increase energy efficiency in their
homes,” said Marty O’Gorman, General Manager for Frigidaire.  “That’s
why our new line of appliances offers a range of energy efficiencies
along with innovative features that minimize energy and water
consumption.  We’re proud to offer appliances that save consumers
considerable amounts of energy and water – from washers that use up to
82% less energy and 60% less water to dishwashers that use at least
41% less energy and 40% less water than was used just 10 years ago.”

Frigidaire recently launched 250 new kitchen and laundry appliances
designed with easy-to-use time-, money- and energy-saving features.
The new collections are ENERGY STAR qualified, where applicable, and
offer a wide variety of stylish appliances that are from 10% to 80%
more energy-efficient than non-ENERGY STAR qualified appliances.

Thermador Expands One, Two, Free Program

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Starting March 1, 2010, Thermador will expand its popular ONE, TWO, FREE discount offer to include any size Rangetop, or Masterpiece Series Cooktop, to give culinary enthusiasts even more ways to save as much as $6,373 on a professional-grade Thermador kitchen. The augmented promotion now gives participants the opportunity to receive any size Thermador Ventilation system for free, provided they purchase a qualified appliance package.
The changes to the program, which was recently extended by Thermador through 2010, mean that consumers purchasing a 30-inch Thermador Rangetop or Cooktop, are also eligible to receive a free Thermador Emerald 6-program dishwasher provided they also purchase any Professional or Masterpiece Series Double or Triple Combination Oven. The previous ONE TWO, FREE offer covered only 36- and 48-inch Rangetops and Cooktops.
Participants who add any Thermador Refrigerator or any two Freedom Columns to their cooking system also receive a free Thermador Ventilation system of any size, and may be able to realize additional savings by participating in their State Appliance Rebate program for ENERGY STAR  qualified products.

Details of the expanded 2010 ONE, TWO, FREE promotion:
 Purchase a Professional Series 36- or 48-inch Range, or any Rangetop, or any Masterpiece Series Cooktop, with an accompanying Professional or Masterpiece Double or Triple Oven and get a free Thermador Emerald Dishwasher.
 New for 2010, step-up to Thermador’s top-of-the-line Sapphire™ 6-program Dishwashers for an additional $500 or $750 (depending on model).
 Add any Thermador Refrigerator or any two Freedom Columns and get any size free Ventilation System. As in the current ONE, TWO, FREE promotion, stainless steel door panels and toe kicks for the Freedom columns are also provided for free.

Getting Your Government Funded Appliance Rebate

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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.

Laundering Without Water – Almost

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Is this really the environmentally correct alternative?  This idea was found at popsci.com:

Clean Your Clothes with Plastic: Nylon beads sit in the outer of two nested drums. When both drums rotate, the absorbent beads fall through the mesh of the inner drum to tumble with your laundry, where they dislodge and trap dirt. After the wash cycle finishes, the outer drum stops moving and centripetal force pushes the beads back through the mesh into the outer drum, where they await your next mess.

Xeros’s prototype washing machine uses 90 percent less water than ordinary models, which also eliminates energy-intensive spin cycles and dryer blasts.

The machine replaces all but one tenth of the usual water and about one third of the usual detergent with 0.1-inch plastic beads, reusable for hundreds of washes. The beads are made of the same nylon as many carpets, because the properties that make nylon easy to stain also make it a great scrubber: Its polarized molecules attract soil, and in the humidity created by a little water, the polymer chains separate slightly to absorb grime and lock it into the beads’ cores.

Xeros aims to put machines in commercial laundries next year, where they will use eight gallons of water instead of 80 for each 45-pound load. They may be cleaning your favorite T-shirts at home within several years.

Recall: BSH Home Appliances Corp. Expands Recall of Thermador Built-In Ovens Due to Fire Hazard

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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: Thermador® Built-In Ovens

Units: About 37,000 (42,000 built-in ovens were previously recalled in June 2007)

Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Huntington Beach, Calif.

Hazard: The ovens can have gaps in the insulation where overheating can occur and when used in the self-cleaning mode it can cause nearby cabinets to catch fire. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: BSH Home Appliances has received three additional reports of incidents, including two that resulted in fires that damaged surrounding cabinets. No injuries have been reported.

Description: The recall involves Thermador Brand built-in double ovens with model numbers C272B, C302B, SEC272, SEC302, SECD272 and SECD302 and serial numbers between FD8403 through FD8701. Model and serial numbers are located on the underside of the control panel.

Sold at: Appliance and specialty stores nationwide from June 2004 through July 2007 for between $3,000 and $4,400.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven’s self-cleaning mode and contact the firm to schedule an inspection and free repair, if necessary.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Thermador at (800) 701-5230 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.thermador.com

Picture of Recalled Built-In Oven

Miele Part of the US Appliance Rebate Program

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Miele has announced that all of its dishwashers, clothes washers and refrigerators/freezers qualify for the State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program (SEEARP). According to the Department of Energy, the stimulus bill will offer $300 million in rebates on Energy Star-qualified appliances in hopes that the program will further stimulate the economy by reducing energy bills.

Miele’s entire Independence series is Energy Star-qualified, including the line’s refrigerators, which traditionally are one of the most energy-hungry appliances in the home. The refrigerators use high-performance dual compressors, improved insulation and more precise temperature and defrost technology to boost efficiency. “Achieving a greener refrigerator that complied with Energy Star was a design goal when we developed the Independence Series,” stated Matthew Kueny, senior product manager for Miele. “Our proprietary technology and quality standards have helped us redefine just how much energy a refrigerator could save–far more than an average refrigerator–or even an average Energy Star model.”

Going forward, Miele engineers are looking to develop technology that will enable appliances to work more intelligently with the emerging infrastructure of the Smart Grid. These advancements are intended to deliver further economic and environmental benefits to consumers.

For more on appliance rebates, consumers can contact the DOE Recovery Act Clearinghouse at 1-888-DOE-RCVY (1-888-363-7289) or visit the Energy Star website.