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Laundry

You Probably Don’t Need That Extended Warranty

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Straight from PR Newswire: J.D. Power and Associates Reports: High Reliability of Major Home Appliances May Reduce Need for Extended Warranties

According to J.D. Powers and Associates 2007 Major Home Appliance Study, most major appliances these days are quite reliable, yet many consumers continue to purchase extended warranties.

The study measures customer satisfaction in nine segments of major home appliances: dishwashers; free-standing ranges; built-in cook-tops and wall ovens; freezer-on-top style refrigerators; side-by-side and French door-style refrigerators; clothes washers; clothes dryers; over-the-range microwave ovens; and counter-top microwave ovens. The study, now in its third year, examines customer satisfaction with microwave ovens for the first time. Customer satisfaction is measured based on performance in six factors: operational performance (including how well the appliance functions, noise level and energy efficiency); operational features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); ease of use; styling and feel; price; and warranty.

The study finds that during the first two years of ownership, approximately one in 10 consumers report some kind of problem with their major appliance. However, many of these problems can be resolved by following instructions in the owner’s manual or on the manufacturer’s Web site. Relatively few problems actually require a service visit.

Despite this high degree of reliability, many consumers purchase an extended warranty for their appliances. Among owners of refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers and laundry appliances, approximately 25 percent report purchasing an extended warranty, while approximately 15 percent of microwave oven owners do so.

“Extended warranties certainly provide a degree of peace of mind,” said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “With some appliances — particularly those with complex electronics and potentially high repair costs — purchasing an extended warranty may make sense. However, major appliances tend to be very reliable, and consumers should consider very carefully — depending upon their circumstances — whether an extended warranty is worth the additional cost.”

In satisfying customers with major kitchen and laundry appliances, Bosch, GE Appliances, Kenmore, LG, Maytag, Samsung, Whirlpool and Whirlpool Gold rank highest in various segments.

“Particularly strong performers include Bosch, LG and Samsung, which have achieved consistently high satisfaction levels in consecutive years,” said Dale Haines, senior director of the real estate and construction industries practice at J.D. Power and Associates. “For two consecutive years, Bosch has ranked highest in the dishwashers segment and LG has ranked highest among clothes washers, while Samsung has earned an award in a refrigerator segment for three consecutive years. This is especially impressive considering the high levels of quality and reliability that many appliance manufacturers attain.”

The 2007 Major Home Appliance Study is based on 22,637 responses from consumers who purchased one or more new major home appliances through a retail store, their new-home builder, or received one through other means (such as a gift) during the previous 24 months.

Laundry Trends Around the Globe

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Washer and dryer manufacturers around the world all recognise  that the demands of the consumer drive their designs.  The latest trends are for energy efficiency, quietness and, especially in North America, size.

In Globalizing Laundry, David Simpson of Appliance Magazine writes:

Consumers are more aware that efficient models are less costly to operate, their awareness advanced by public information programs and rankings of washers’ energy and water efficiency.
Quietness is another important multinational design goal. More homes have laundry appliances sited close to living areas than in the past, and washer and dryer noise is less tolerated by consumers.

“The trend toward moving the laundry closer to the living areas of the home seems to be happening in all our markets,” observes Scott Davies, product manager at Fisher & Paykel. “Our customers want good-looking products that are quiet enough to use at night without waking the family.”

Despite these near-universal laundry appliance design trends, regional preferences add variety to the market. In North America, larger capacity is more important than elsewhere. Different regions and countries have preferences on top-loading versus front-loading washers. Manufacturers also continue to cater to specialty appliance needs with products like nontumble dryer cabinets, combination washer/dryers, and even top-load tumble dryers.

Other interesting coming offerings are steam drying, which would help fight wrinkles and Silver ions that are used in SilverCare washers from Samsung Electronics America. The ion system is designed to kill bacteria and clean without the potential clothes damage that can result from immersion in hot water and bleach.

So, while the drudgery of laundry will remain, we may be able to get through it faster with larger more energy efficient, quieter machines.

Whirlpool Debuts Colorful Steam Laundry Pair

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Whirlpool is adding a new washer/dryer pair to their line-up with the Aspen Green Duet Steam pair. (Although the pair is available in white too.)  “Whirlpool brand is proud to introduce this new technology and help consumers use steam to get more done in the washer and dryer,” said John Alexander, VP and GM Brand Management, Whirlpool Corporation.

Here are some highlights of the new pair:

    The new Duet Steam washer effortlessly removes stains from grass to grease, even sanitizing towels and sheets without the need for bleach. To showcase how the new pair efficiently tackles the dirtiest duds, Whirlpool brand is steam cleaning Mike Rowe, host and creator of Discovery Channel’s “Dirty Jobs,” as he commemorates his 150th dirty job.
    Like Rowe, there are consumers who may require a more thorough cleaning. For that audience, the washer has a sanitation cycle designed to eliminate 99.9 percent of infectious bacteria.
    A special timed-release dispenser option – a first for Whirlpool brand – optimizes the delivery of OxiClean(R) stain fighters.
    The brand’s most energy efficient washer to date uses up to 73 percent less water and 77 percent less energy as compared to conventional top-loaders.The pair use immersive steam – a combination of mist and heat in the dryer – naturally steaming away tough odors and wrinkles without chemicals.
    In addition, consumers can now sanitize items such as stuffed animals, towels, bedding, and sleeping bags.

Steam has been showing up in more places with more uses lately, it’ll be interesting to see how this new pair performs.

New Release: Maytag’s Latest Washer/Dryer Pair

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Maytag has released it’s newest HE washer/dryer pair, the EPIC z. Maytag says:

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Oct. 19 /PRNewswire/ — The legacy of Maytag(R) brand laundry continues with the new Maytag(R) EPIC z(TM) front-load washer and dryer. The versatile design of this space-saving, high-performance laundry system allows it to be installed virtually anywhere in the home.

The EPIC z laundry system features the quality and reliability expected from Maytag products. The front-load washer’s Rainfall Clean(TM) wash system offers exceptional cleaning performance to get clothes clean the first time, and its MaxExtract(TM) extended spin provides outstanding moisture removal.

The dryer’s GentleBreeze(TM) powerful drying system, combined with the washer’s water extraction, takes clothes from wet to dry in under 30 minutes.* The EPIC z units exceed basic ENERGY STAR(R) requirements and are some of the most energy efficient in the industry. According to recent Maytag brand research, the ENERGY STAR rating is the feature that most influences a laundry appliance purchase.**

“The EPIC z front-load washer and dryer provide solid, dependable features in a flexible design,” said Drew Fraser, vice president for North American laundry products. “They can be stacked, placed side-by-side, tucked under a countertop or set into a tighter-than-normal space. Yet, they still have enough capacity to handle a family’s laundry needs.”

The washer’s Rainfall Clean wash system has a three-baffle design that scoops up and showers water through 138 holes. This quick and thorough fabric saturation system gives detergent more time to work on stains and get clothes clean. In addition, the washer’s new NSF Certified Sanitary Cycle heats wash water up to 153 degrees Fahrenheit to remove at least 99.9 percent of test organisms. The washer’s space-saving dimensions are 36 in. (height) x 27 in. (width) x 30-1/2 in. (depth).

The Maytag EPIC z dryer includes two rear and two front premium drum rollers, part of the Smooth Balance(TM) Suspension System, that are permanently lubricated to help eliminate squeaks and noises for quiet operation and low vibration. The dryer offers an impressive 6.7 cu. ft. capacity with measurements for smaller spaces: 36 in. (height) x 27 in. (width) x 28-9/10 in. to 32-9/10 in. (depth).

Suggested retail prices are $799 to $949 for the washer, and $749 to $959 for the dryer. The Maytag EPIC z units are now available at home improvement stores and appliance retailers. Colors include Arctic Blue with Chrome, Black with Chrome, White with Chrome and White. For more information, visit www.maytag.com.

Recycle Responsibly

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Reuse, recycle, save energy– These ideas are ones many of us try to do daily.  There is one way we may not have thought of before- disposing of an old appliance properly.  Appliance Recycling Centers of America estimates that 55 million appliances will be removed from service this year.  If yours is one of them, be aware that nearly 20 states ban appliances from being disposed of in landfills, and more than 15 other states require that landfills separate appliances for recycling. Some states, like Minnesota and California, require that a variety of hazardous materials be removed from appliances before the metals are recycled.

There are more than 11,000 appliance recycling locations throughout the United States. Unfortunately, many of these locations do not process appliances thoroughly before recycling the metals. Older appliances can contain environmentally harmful materials such as mercury and PCBs. These substances must be removed and managed properly before recycling an appliance. Ask your city, waste hauler or recycling location for a description of the hazardous materials they remove from appliances and how they dispose of them.

Another option is to donate your old washer, fridge or dishwasher to a local occupational school.  Many schools use these old appliances for instruction and practice.  When the students are  finished the appliance is recycled.  Or even better, it will have been refurbished and will go on to serve an underprivileged family or sold to help the school.

 Doing the right thing can take a bit if extra thought, but it can feel good too.

The Right Appliance for You

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Do you find that you are drawn to a certain brand of appliance again and again?  Did your mother always rely on one brand of washer and dryer?  Whirlpool is aware of consumers conscious and unconscious preferences for specific appliances.

For every Whirlpool Corporation brand – including Whirlpool®, Maytag®, KitchenAid®, Jenn-Air®, Amana® and Gladiator® GarageWorks – there is a unique brand identity that is defined using proprietary consumer research about preferences, lifestyles and values. Whirlpool Corporation uses this research to make tough, strategic decisions about the kinds of product innovations, features and designs it will offer to consumers.

Each of Whirlpool Corporation’s branded products is designed to meet the specific needs and preferences of consumers from a psychographic standpoint. What’s important to one consumer may not even occur to another,” said Michael A. Todman, president, Whirlpool North America. “For instance, the consumer who buys Maytag brand focuses on reliability, so the durability of internal nuts and bolts means everything. The time-starved nature of the Whirlpool brand consumer means placing greater value on getting more done quickly, so the brand’s focus is timesaving features.”

Some other Whirlpool insights into how they, and we view their large family of brands:

  • For 100 years, the Maytag brand has represented strength and lasting durability
  •  With a common-sense approach to life, Amana brand consumers believe in creating a pleasant atmosphere in their home. Amana consumers want quality and style at an affordable price.
  • KitchenAid brand consumers enjoy cooking with others, savoring the journey of making great food with great friends and family.
  • The Jenn-Air brand appeals to a consumer who loves to entertain, has uncompromising taste and pays great attention to detail.

So, the fact that your mother might have insisted on a Maytag washer because she knows they are durable is exactly what Maytag (remember they’re Whirlpool in disguise) wants her to think.  It’s up to Whirlpool to build machines that uphold the reputation. 

If you’d like to read more about the varieties of appliances available from these Whirlpool brands, you can do so here

Sears Going Green

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Turn off the Lights! Turn off the water! Reuse and recycle!

I know I try to follow those simple guidelines and have installed low flush toilets, energy efficient appliances and compact fluorescent lights in my home.  Sears is trying to help a bit by “rolling out the Kenmore Elite® dishwasher with Ultra WashHE technology, and the SteamCare(TM) Washer and Dryer lines, along with a new alliance with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots Program. ”

The Roots & Shoots program is a youth program whose mission is to  foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, animals and the environment.

With that goal in mind, Sears’ new product line will be high efficiency, high performance and have a sleek modern line.  “Consumers understand that small changes made in their homes can have a significant impact on the environment,” said Tina Settecase, vice president and general manager of home appliances, Sears Holdings Corp. ”  As part of the initiative, $25 will be donated to the Roots & Shoots Program for every Kenmore Elite dishwasher with Ultra WashHE technology sold between Oct. 28 and Nov. 7, 2007. To read more

It’s not your grandmothers silver – Ionized Silver appliances

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No its not your NANA’s silver its NANO silver from Samsung. silver nano 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 surface coating resistant, and supposedly deadly to a wide variety of bacteria.

The folks at Samsung swear that

the home appliances where the Silver Nano Health System is applied have gone through a series of strict testing at such international agencies as the British Allergy Foundation and the SLG Pruef-und Zertifizierungs GmbH in Germany. While the silver lining behind these high-tech appliances has been certified as effective in killing bacteria, it is also reportedly absolutely harmless to the human body.

They’ve treated air conditioner filters, the inside of refridgerators, dishwashers and even a waterless washing machine which cleans your delicate clothing with a blast of silver filtered hot air.

They call it the Silver Nano Health System. Kind of cool, you can read more about it here:

The silver nano sterilizing washer

or check it out in Polish here:

Famous for Doing Nothing

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He has to be one of the most easily recognized pitchmen on TV. He does nothing. He’s the most bored, lonely guy we know and he’s been missing in action for months. But not any more. He’s back. They found him.

Could it be this guy? I’d pick him just for his creative audition.

Well it’s a big enough deal to make the world news. Check it out:

If these guys don’t heat your clothes, check out this vintage clip with an earlier pitch girl.

Appliance.net, back in February: Whirlpool Seeks New Maytag Repairman

Whirlpool seeks new Maytag Repairman

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maytag repairman man men
Whirlpool Corp. is launching a nationwide search for someone to portray the Maytag Repairman — the lonely, iconic character that has represented Maytag for 40 years.

The Repairman has been under new ownership since Whirlpool purchased the Newton-based Maytag in March and announced that all Maytag’s Newton operations would close by the end of 2007.
The new Repairman could be a professional actor, an ordinary guy next door or even a real-life appliance repairman, Whirlpool officials said.