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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

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.

Daewoo Sale

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(Reuters) Creditors of South Korea’s Daewoo Electronics have chosen five candidates including Electrolux (ELUXb.ST) and Ripplewood to buy the appliance maker in a preliminary bidding, a local media report said.

It is the fourth attempt to sell creditors-owned Daewoo Electronics, once a flagship of the failed Daewoo Group.

MoneyToday said that Daewoo’s creditors shortlisted five viable candidates among those who submitted letters of intent — Sweden’s appliance giant Electrolux, U.S. private equity firm Ripplewood Holdings, South Korean cooking appliance maker Tong Yang Magic (023020.KQ), a Middle East firm and an appliance player in Mexico.

An official at Daewoo’s leading creditor Woori Bank confirmed creditors had received multiple letters of intent but declined to identify any preliminary bidder. The final bidding will take place in March, MoneyToday said, citing industry sources.

After earlier sale attempts had failed, Daewoo Electronics sold off its non-core businesses to focus on its profitable washing machines and refrigerators businesses.

In the previous rounds, Ripplewood was the latest contender but talks with the U.S. firm collapsed in January in the aftermath of the global financial crisis.

Prior to that, creditors also held failed negotiations with a consortium of India’s Videocon Industries (VEDI.BO) and RHJ International (RHJI.BR), the holding company for Ripplewood, as well as a private equity unit of Morgan Stanley (MS.N).

Unlisted Daewoo was placed under a debt rescheduling program after its parent group went bankrupt in 1999. It competes with bigger local rivals Samsung Electronics (005930.KS) and LG Electronics (066570.KS) as well as low-priced Chinese producers, and generates more than 80 percent of its sales abroad

Bosch at 2010 International Builders Show

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Bosch is taking part in the International Builders Show 2010 with a live, full-kitchen installed with cooking and cleaning products. This real-installation will demonstrate how Bosch appliances can help any home project achieve higher standards in water- and energy-efficiency.

Bosch is the only US appliance manufacturer with entire product lines of ENERGY STAR qualified dishwashers, washers and refrigeration. Bosch appliances featured in the IBS home include:

    800 Plus Dishwasher: The 800 Plus uses as little as 2 gallons of water per cycle, 70 percent less than the average dishwasher, and operates on only 180 kWh/y of energy, an industry best.
    800 Series Vision Laundry: Vision features the most energy- and water-efficient brand of full size front-load washers in the U.S.
    800 Series Linea Refrigeration: The ENERGY STAR-qualified Linea side-by-side refrigeration features Eco and Vacation cooling modes to help reduce energy costs compared to continual operation in standard mode.
    800 Series Gas Cooktop: 24% of all Bosch gas cooktops are made of recycled materials, the highest amount among all steel suppliers in the industry. Additionally, 95% of the cooktop can be recycled when retired.
    800 Series Double Wall Oven: make the most out of energy and time with Genuine European Convection®, which allows for the cooking of an entire meal all at once without the transfer of flavor or aromas.

Bosch is also launching its “Green Technology Inside” initiative at IBS. While Bosch takes great pride in its green manufacturing practices, the reality is 90% of the environmental impact from a home appliance occurs in the home from use. Bosch is launching the Green Technology Inside icon and designation to make it easier for appliance shoppers to identify its most water- and energy-efficient appliances.

“The ‘Green Technology Inside’ program quantifies energy and water savings to give shoppers the confidence that the Bosch appliance they are purchasing delivers the ultimate in efficiency,” said John Farley, senior brand and environmental marketing manager, Bosch.

Appliances achieving the Green Technology Inside designation include:
Vision washers, which utilize EcoSmart™ sensors to continuously monitor and adjust the cycle for optimized operation. Combined with the ActiveWater™ system, Vision washers uses just 13 gallons of water per load while delivering the cleaning power of 400 gallons.
Bosch dishwashers, which are the most efficient available in each price class Bosch offers product. In fact, Bosch recently launched the 800 Plus – the most energy- and water-efficient dishwasher in the U.S.

Use Appliance Cash For Clunkers or Repair

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So many people have been looking forward to replacing their appliances with new ones using the government’s appliance rebate program, but a new appliance may not be your wisest choice according to Angie Hicks of angieslist.com.

Under the new program, consumers will receive a rebate – expected to be between $50-$200 per appliance – in return for getting rid of old energy-consuming appliances and purchasing new appliances certified as energy efficient by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program.

“A good rule of thumb to determine if you should repair or replace an appliance is to look at the age factor and the cost of repair,” Hicks said. “The average price of a service call is between $60-100 before parts and labor. Many companies will deduct their call charge from the total bill if you hire them to make the needed repairs. However, if a repair will cost more than half the cost of the new appliance and the unit is more than six or seven years old, you’re probably better off replacing it.”

That’s when the Cash for Appliances program could really benefit those in need of an upgrade. In addition to the Cash for Appliances rebate, some states and local utility districts already offer rebates for purchases of energy efficient appliance, leading to even more savings.

States have the flexibility to select which appliances to include in their programs and the individual rebate amount for each appliance, however, the Department of Energy recommends that states and territories focus on heating and cooling equipment, appliances, and water heaters, which offer the greatest energy savings potential. States had until Oct. 15 to present the DOE with a plan for how they want to implement their respective programs. The rebates were to go into effect in late November.

The distribution formula for the $300 million program is about $1 for every resident in a given state. California, for example, would receive about $35 million to allocate to the program, while Wyoming would receive about $500,000. Unlike the popular “Cash for Clunkers” vehicle rebate program, consumers will not be required to trade in their old appliances. The DOE, however, is encouraging states to develop recycling plans in their proposals.

“This program is designed to help spur economic growth, create jobs, make homes more energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Hicks said. “Part of being environmentally friendly is to use products as long as possible, so we’re not filling up landfills with unnecessary waste. So, if your appliance is worth fixing and you can get several more years out of it, repair might be the way to go.”

Angie’s 10 questions to ask to determine whether to replace or repair an appliance:

    Is it really broken? The trouble may be a short in the plug, a tripped circuit breaker, or a bad surge-protector outlet. Check the troubleshooting section of the unit’s instruction manual for the most common problems and solutions.

    How old is the appliance?

    Have you had trouble with the unit before?     If it’s performed well, it might be worth fixing instead of replacing with something unproven.

    How much will it cost to repair the unit?

    What would a similar appliance cost?

    Are there any hidden costs to purchase (removal, installation, disposal, tax, etc.)?

    How difficult is it to replace the appliance (Is it a built-in)?

    What additional features will I get with the new appliance?

    What energy savings will I get with the new appliance?     Will they offset the cost of a new appliance vs. repair?

    What tax credits are available for purchasing an energy efficient unit? Will they offset the cost of a new appliance vs. repair?

Angie’s List went to the experts for their estimates on the average life of major appliances:

10-15 years for refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers.

10-20 years for ovens, ranges, and water heaters.

15-20 years for central air-conditioning unit

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

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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: 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

Truth in Appliance Energy Labeling

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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