Weekend Project: Keep your dishwasher in good working order
You can get cleaner dishes and extend the life of your dishwasher by maintaining the appliance's spray arm(s), filter, and gasket. Our Complete Guide to Reducing Energy Costs advises cleaning the spray arms once a month for maximum efficiency. The four steps below are adapted from that book ($19.45, including shipping). Also check out our maintenance advice for other appliances and systems in your home.
1. Take out the lower tray. To get access to the spray arm and filter, you need to lift out the lower tray.
2. Inspect the spray arm(s). If the holes are clogged with detergent and hard-water minerals, remove the spray arm(s) as directed by your owner's manual. Most lift off after you remove the center screw, which is often covered by a plastic hub. Soak the part(s) in warm distilled white vinegar until you can clear the holes with a scrub brush. (Click on "See the Full Article" below for steps 3 and 4.)
3. Clean the filter. Some dishwashers have a manual filter, which you have to pull out and clean by hand. If yours does, remove and clean it according to the owner's manual. If your dishwasher has a self-cleaning filter, check periodically for debris, which can keep it from cleaning properly.
4. Wash the door gasket. To keep water from leaking out of the machine, clean the gasket around the door with dishwashing liquid and water. If you see cracks and gaps in the gasket, refer to the owner's manual, look for an FAQ on the manufacturer's site, or contact the company's customer service to determine whether you can fix or replace it yourself or should call in a pro.
Remember, because your dishwasher needs water that's at least 120°F to clean well, check the temperature of your water. Run hot water in the kitchen sink until the temperature stabilizes, then use a thermometer to see how hot it is. If the temperature is less than 120°F, find out whether the thermostat on your water heater is set to the proper level. Refer to the owner's manual to see how to set the temperature.
Essential information: To be sure your dishes get clean, follow these tips for loading a dishwasher. If it makes more sense to replace your dishwasher, use our free buyer's guide, and check our ratings of dozens of models and learn where to get the best deals on appliances (available to subscribers). If dishwashers are eligible in your state, take advantage of a rebate from the $300 million cash for clunkers for appliances program.
2010 International Builders’ Show Product Preview: DuPont Corian Metallic Countertops
Las Vegas is a town known for glamour and glitz, and some of the 10 new Corian solid-surface countertops that DuPont has introduced at this week's Builders' Show fit right in. These countertops are infused with gold or silver metallic flakes that sparkle and create a contemporary look. Still, the effect is more subtle than an over-the-top Vegas vibe.
Eight metallic counters (shown) are available, including Azurite (blue with silver-metallic highlights) and Copperite (gold-flecked copper). The two nonmetallic counters are Designer White (a crisp white surface for a clean, modern feel in the kitchen or bath) and Cottage Lane (warmer beige, tan, and caramel hues).
These new Corian counters, available at home centers and kitchen and bath stores nationwide, cost $40 to $80 per square foot, installed.
Look for upcoming 2010 International Builders' Show coverage via our Twitter page, blog posts, and videos.
—Kimberly Janeway
Essential information: Check out our latest report on countertops; ratings of kitchen counters and bathroom surfaces are available to subscribers.
Voucher: £10 off at New Look
The following code will get you £10 off a £50 at New Look at the moment, a pretty nice deal.
The voucher works on full price items only and is valid until January 28th.
Simply follow this link to New Look and enter code LOVE50 at checkout.
Despite housing slump, some things are bigger and brighter at the 2010 International Builders’ Show
Among the trends and products we've spotted at this year's International Builders Show, a couple were real eye-openers:
Some manufacturers have supersized the control panels on their microwaves, refrigerator ice/water dispensers, and other kitchen appliances by up to 30 percent. Their goal? Make the controls easier to read and operate for the aging baby-boomer population.
In a big city famous for its bright lights, it's apt that LED lighting is widely on display at the Las Vegas Convention Center. We've spotted LEDs in the control panels and displays of a variety of appliances and inside dryers and refrigerators. For instance, energy-efficient, long-lasting LEDs illuminate the control panel on the GE Profile PSHSGPGZ's ice dispenser. And inside this side-by-side, the LEDs have been placed toward the front rather than at the usual rear position, creating a bright, clean look for the manufacturer's first all-LED refrigerator. The PSHSGPGZ ($1,899 to $1,949, shown), due out in May, has a claimed capacity of 25.5 cubic feet and is available in stainless steel.
Some advice from exhibitor Cooper Lighting: If you're considering using LEDs for room lighting, don't install them in existing recessed fixtures. The lights will perform better and last longer in cans designed for LEDs.
Check back throughout the week for 2010 International Builders' Show coverage via our Twitter page, blog posts, and videos.
Next Steps
Freebie: Get a free fiver to spend on BigOffers
Here’s a sweet little offer, join the BigOffers mailing list and get a free fiver to spend on their site – simply as that.
Please follow this link and subscribe to the newsletter before January 30th and you will be emailed a code for £5 off with no minimum order value or other conditions attached. The [...]
Dave Barry touches upon toilets and an exploding whale during 2010 International Builders’ Show keynote address
Humorist Dave Barry did his best to inject a bit of levity into the depressed building industry with his keynote address today at the opening ceremony of the 2010 International Builders' Show in Las Vegas.
Barry, a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer whose syndicated column ran for 25 years in more than 500 newspapers, mused on myriad topics, including:
• His adopted hometown of Miami: "Where I moved in 1996 . . . from the United States".
• Toilets. Barry, who railed against low-flow fixtures years ago, obviously didn't read our latest report on toilets, in which several 1.28 gallon-per-flush models earned high marks. (Do a Web search for "Dave Barry toilet police." That's Barry wielding a sledgehammer over a toilet.)
• A bizarre 1970 incident involving a dead beached whale that Oregon Highway Patrol decided to blow up. Barry admitted the exploding whale offered no real advice for or connection to the building industry, though we're not so sure about that.
Barry's 30-minute monologue in front of a half-empty hall got plenty of laughs, something the show's estimated 50,000 attendees can likely use. (The National Association of Home Builders had estimated show attendance at 70,000.) But even as "Don't Stop Believin'" played over the PA, you definitely got the sense that the building industry faces a long journey before the housing market recovers.
Free Screening: Invictus
If you’d like to see Invictus before it comes out at the cinema you can do so thanks to SeeFilmFirst, simply follow the link to the website and enter screening code 304179 or 569106 to get your tickets.
The screening takes place on the 31st of January at 10.30am at the following cinemas:
Bath, ODEON Sunday 31 [...]
Freebie: Free Melts from Thorntons
Who doesn’t like Thorntons chocolates? Well maybe those that are on a new years diet won’t appreciate this post, but I am sure plenty will.
This Monday the 18th of January you can get some free melts, how? Simply walk into your local Thorntons store and ask for them – that’s it!
Remember this will only work [...]
Weekend Project: Avoid these dangers lurking inside your home
<br>Radon gas exists throughout the United States and poses some very real health-related issues. According to the U.S. Environmental protection Agency's "A Citizen's Guide to Radon" (PDF), radon gas causes about 21,000 lung-cancer deaths annually in this country.
Given those facts, each January the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency works to boost public awareness through National Radon Action Month.
Checking for radon is an inexpensive task using one of the short- or long-term radon test kits we reviewed. (Ratings are available to subscribers; we also looked at lead-paint test kits.) We recommend using long-term kits because they are more accurate and better reflect the conditions in your home.
If a test indicates radon level higher than the recommended federal action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), consult a professional to confirm the results. (The EPA also suggests that you consider remediation at a level between 2 and 4 pCi/L.) The EPA maintains a state-by-state list of radon agencies where you can find professionals in your area.l
Radon isn't the only potential hidden danger hiding inside your home. Learn more about how to handle problems associated with indoor-air quality, carbon monoxide, and water.
Indoor air
There are some basic steps to keep your indoor air cleaner, important when you consider how much time you spend indoors, especially at this time of year.
Still, air purifiers remain big sellers. But there's little definitive evidence that air purifiers help relieve respiratory symptoms, and models that create ozone even solely as a by-product can aggravate asthma and decrease lung function. If you decide to buy an air purifier, see our ratings of whole-house and portable models.
You can also keep indoor air cleaner with regular vacuuming. If you need a new vacuum, check out our free buyer's guide and select a model from our ratings of canister and upright vacuums that scored well in our emissions test. (Ratings are available to subscribers.)
Controlling your home environment often means taking other measures to adjust temperature, humidity, and other levels that if left unchecked can promote mold growth. This includes changing or cleaning filters on your heating and cooling equipment and using a dehumidifier in areas prone to high humidity, such as a basement or crawl space.
Weatherizing your attic can make your home more comfortable year-round and save you money, and you can get a 30 percent federal tax credit on some materials while you're at it.
Carbon monoxide
To prevent buildup of carbon monoxide, be sure your fuel-burning appliances are vented properly and are in good working condition. And read our report on carbon-monoxide alarms to find the best models for your home and for details on proper placement, sure. Our related blog posts include advice on battery and alarm replacement.
Water quality
As we recently reported, drinking water in this country contains many pollutants. Learn how to decipher the Consumer Confidence Report you get from your water company. If you're considering buying a water filter, check out our free buyer's guide and ratings (available to subscribers).
10 Questions for . . . Brett Battles, CEO of Castanea Labs
In this installment of 10 Questions for . . . , Senior Editor Daniel DiClerico speaks with Brett Battles, CEO of Castanea Labs, a Silicon Valley startup that recently launched a tool to help you find rebate information for energy-efficient appliances. Here, Battles discusses his company's rebate locator and the U.S. Department of Energy's $300 million cash for clunkers for appliances program and says more incentives are on the horizon.Several online tools exist to help consumers get information on tax incentives and rebates for appliances and home improvements, including the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE). Why do we need another?
I applaud DSIRE for its efforts but it's incomplete. For instance, it covers energy efficiency and not water efficiency. We found a lot of local water utilities, for example, paying cash incentives on low-flow showerheads and toilets. DSIRE also doesn't tell consumers how much money they can get back on this or that specific product. Finally, based on our research, existing rebate finders, like the one on EnergyStar.gov, aren't prevalent enough at the point of sale.
How many rebate programs are active now?
The DOE's cash for appliances program is getting all the attention, but we've identified more than 500 utility-based rebates on everything from low-flow showerheads to attic insulation to appliances. It's just that most people don't know about these programs, and if they do, they often have a hard time sorting through the options and understanding the requirements.
How does your rebate finder differ from others?
Consumers shouldn't have to be Sherlock Holmes to figure out which rebates apply to the products they want. They should be able to go to a retailer's or a manufacturer's Web site, pick a specific product, type in their ZIP code, and find out instantly what rebates are available, whether from their state, utility company, or other source. In a nutshell, that's the solution we've created. Our analysts update the data on a weekly basis, if not more frequently.
How does Castanea make money from the tool?
Retailers and manufacturers pay us a multiyear subscription fee for the use of our rebate locator, which we customize to their specific requirements. Whirlpool has already launched a version of the tool (shown), and a major national retailer is expected to do so in the coming weeks, with others to follow. We also have a community portal where consumers can get free information about rebates.
How do consumers know they're getting a representative selection of models and not just those your clients want to promote?
Our database includes all Energy Star products, which is the baseline requirement for most rebates. In the case of retailers, the database interfaces with their e-commerce site to show all qualifying products they carry. Manufacturers naturally want to show only their products and not those of their competitors. But in either scenario, the client pays a flat-rate fee that's completely independent of transactions, so we don't get paid more to push a particular product.
Does the tool indicate when states will launch their cash for clunkers program so consumers can time their purchases to take advantage of the rebate?
We have the capability to provide that information, since we know the start dates, ZIP codes, and qualifying product SKUs. However, clients choose which features to implement. In most cases, they're already managing e-mail communications with their consumers. Most have preferred to continue that arrangement to notify consumers about future programs versus having us do it on their behalf.
(To find out when the rebate program will take place in your state, use our interactive cash for clunkers for appliances map.)
You sell multiyear subscriptions, but won't most state rebates expire in a few months or even faster?
You have to remember that appliance rebates and incentives for other high-efficiency products have been around for decades. Altogether, the money budgeted for multiyear utility programs tops the DOE's $300 million for its cash for appliances. So the givebacks aren't going away. Plus, the Obama administration and many states have made energy efficiency a top priority. My prediction is that two years from now, you'll see 50 percent more rebate programs and money than you do today.
Why don't rebate programs look the same from state to state?
Look at anything in the public sphere—tax codes, real estate laws, cell phone driving laws. States tend to have dramatically different perspectives about what's best for them.
We're seeing that in a big way with cash for appliances. The DOE left it up to the states to decide the specifics of their programs. Some are paying only on major appliances, others on geothermal heat pumps and boilers. Some require recycling, others don't.
(Find out which products are eligible for a rebate in your state.)
How are rebates managed in other countries?
Rebates are very important abroad, especially in Europe and Australia, where stringent efficiency regulations create a need for incentives to bring in consumers. In the last dozen years, Australia has undergone an amazing market transformation and cites specifically its rebate programs as one of the underlying factors in closing the penetration of high-efficiency products.
Do you have any plans to expand the service?
Right now we're focusing on Energy Star products. But we'll be moving into residential solar sometime in the second half of 2010 and might take the service outside of the U.S.
Essential information: Before you look for rebates on an appliance, make sure it's a worthy performer. Our appliances hub has links to our free buyer's guides. And find the best places to buy appliances.