Results tagged “appliances” from iVillage - House Calls
This handy little gadget is something that you probably use all the time in the summer months, especially if you don't have air conditioning. It sure looks different in this picture, though. Do you know what it is? Give up? It's a new bladeless electric fan from Dyson. But don't fans need blades, you might wonder? Not anymore, apparently.
This innovative new design draws air into the fan's base, forces it up through the mechanism, amplifies it and pushes it back out through the ring at the top. Since there are no blades to break up the flow, it feels like a constant, steady stream of air is rushing towards you. The strength of the air flow can be adjusted to a gentle breeze using the dimmer switch on the base. Dyson says this fan is also safer than a conventional model, since there are no whirling blades to cause injury and it's less likely to tip over because most of the weight is in the base, instead of in the top. It comes in a 10- or 12-inch model and costs around $300 for the smaller version.
photo: dyson
Here's an exciting innovation in home appliances for the growing numbers of women interested in making their cleaning routine a little greener.
According to a 2007 survey conducted by Electrolux, 70 percent of North American and European consumers want their appliances to be environmentally friendly, 76 percent compare the energy efficiency ratings of different brands and 93 percent of those buyers said that the ratings strongly influenced their purchasing decision. This feedback led the company to develop the UltraSilencer Green vacuum cleaner.
55 percent of the UltraSilencer Green from Electrolux is made from plastic recycled from old cars—how's that for an interesting way to use some of the clunkers that the Cash for Clunkers program got off the road. Although the vacuum comes with 9 amps of power, it actually uses 33 percent less energy than a standard vacuum and operates at a quiet 65 decibels, about the same as an average conversation. The packaging is made from 80 percent recycled, unbleached cardboard and the manuals are printed on recycled paper.
The vacuum will be available at bestbuy.com in September for $299.
Maytag is recalling 46,000 refrigerators because of an electrical problem that could lead to the appliance overheating and bursting into flame. This is on top of 1.6 million refrigerators that Maytag recalled in March because of a similar defect.
The refrigerators included in this most recent recall include Maytag, Magic Chef, Performa by Maytag and Crosley brand side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. If you own a refrigerator made by one of these brands, compare your serial number with the list on the Maytag website to see if your refrigerator is part of the recall.
This recall comes only a few days after a news report about a Maytag oven that mysteriously switches on its broiler every time its owner receives a phone call on his cell phone and reports of exploding iPhones and iPods in Europe. So it begs the question, is there an epidemic of exploding appliances out there? Do you worry about the safety of the appliances and electronics you depend on everyday?
photo: fev create inc./getty images
Riding closely on the coattails of the Cash for Clunkers program's success, a new $300 million program is being launched by the federal government. Essentially, the Energy Department is merging a promotion for high-efficiency appliances with a bailout plan for companies like Whirlpool and Electrolux. People who forego their current, potentially less energy-efficient dishwashers and laundry machines for new Energy Star-rated machines will also walk away with rebates of up to $200. Ideally, the struggling appliance companies will get some sale-generating action while the laundry-doing, dish-washing public will get a decent check and some savings on their energy bills. Everyone goes home happy.
If it works.
While the idea of this two-way back-scratch makes perfect sense in theory, I don't necessarily think that it's going to pan out so well in practice. Like so many other bailouts-gone-wrong, the $300 million just might not be worth it. In all honesty, if America doesn't need a new dishwasher right now, is $200 is really going to be enough of an incentive? Sure, Cash for Clunkers worked really well, but people went into that experiment with a real need for a car. And yes, people certainly do have to replace their home appliances every so often—but who's to say that they won't end up getting much better deals at any wholesale home appliance store in the neighborhood?
What about you: Would this rebate make you willing to stretch your wallet a little wider to accommodate a new stove in this recession? Does this cash-back program just sound like a clunker? And can you think of any good nicknames for it? Cash for Refrigerators doesn't roll off the tongue so well.
—Remy Braun
photo: r. mcvay/getty images
If you’re read this blog before, you probably know that I’m in the middle of a kitchen remodeling project. The workmen came very early yesterday morning to start ripping everything out and when I got home last night the kitchen was gone. This is both a good thing and an extremely stressful thing, as my husband and I are making our morning coffee in the guest bedroom. It’s also probably why I found the August issue of Consumer Reports so riveting. In this issue they’re revealing the secrets to a successful kitchen remodel and some advice to help consumers save money and avoid aggravation. I wonder how many of their suggestions I’ve followed? How about you?
Learn about appliances and products that have been rated by Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports top tips for saving money and avoiding aggravation.
Consumer Reports’ suggestions for where to get the best deals on appliances and service.
I think that I'm suffering from a severe case of appliance anxiety. I spent most of Friday waiting for my new appliances to be delivered. It was a surprisingly nerve wracking experience and I’m not entirely sure why. It could be because I ordered them a while ago and I can’t really remember what they look like. It could be that I’m worried about how they’ll look in my new kitchen. It could be that this signals the real beginning of my renovation project—something that I look on with both dread and excitement.
Or it could be that I’m suffering from appliance envy. Last week I had the chance to tour the Sub-Zero showroom in New York City and see their new line of built-in refrigerators and freezers designed with all-new air purification and water filtration systems to help you keep your food fresher, longer. And with grocery prices on the rise, who couldn’t use a little help making produce last a little longer.
Since today is Earth Day, I’m taking a moment to consider my carbon footprint —the impact that I personally have on the environment—and I have to admit that I could be doing more to conserve and recycle. The funny thing is, if I did do more, it would probably save me money on my gas and electric bills, making it good for my wallet as well as good for the environment.
If you need a little help to jump start you on your way to reducing your carbon footprint, a few small steps can make a big difference. Start by taking the ENERGY STAR Pledge and sign up to make a few easy changes. According to the people at the Environmental Protection Agency, if every American household took part in this new Energy Star pledge, we would save more than $18 billion in annual energy costs, and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions of more than 18 million cars.
Take the pledge to:
- Replace at least one light bulb in your home with an energy-efficient alternative
- Make sure your home heating and cooling systems are working efficiently
- Make sure your home is well sealed and insulated
- Set your computer and monitor to sleep or shut down when you’re away from them
- Choose an Energy Star qualified refrigerator, dishwasher and/or clothes washer when you replace old appliances
Forget that it’s freezing out, if you’re still celebrating the Giant’s big win or drowning your sorrows over
Enjoy,
Rachel
