Product News & Reviews
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You can be a water miser and still quench a thirsty lawn
Just when homeowners have become fed up it with high temperatures and scorched lawns, a report from the National Resources Defense Council (PDF) says that more than 1,100 counties — or more than one-third of those in the contiguous 48 states — will face higher risks of water shortages by mid-century. Of those, 400 counties in 14 states are of particular concern. The cause, says the NRDC, is global warming.
Whether or not you accept the concept of climate change, there’s no getting around the August-like weather many of us have experienced since late spring. But there’s much you can do to cut back on your overall water usage and still sprinkle your lawn sparingly from time to time. The Environmental Protection Agency says you can start saving by using only the water you need. That may seem obvious but how many of us leave the water running while we're brushing our teeth, shaving or washing dishes? Thought so. (Check the EPA's website for more tips.)
You can make more meaningful savings when replacing a washing machine or dishwasher. The latest models use much less water than older units with comparable capacities. Check out our free buying advice for washers and dishwashers as well as our Ratings (for subscribers) of front-load washers, top-load washers, and dishwashers. We also have reports on water-efficient yet high-performing toilets and showerheads.
Our tips for helping your lawn beat the heat also bear repeating here. They include raising your mower’s deck height. Taller grass shoots provide better shade for the soil beneath and require less water. Taller grass also has longer roots, which can absorb water deeper in the ground. Use sprinklers in the early morning when there’s less wind to blow the water and less sunlight to evaporate it.
—Ed Perratore
Voucher: £5 off at Tesco when you buy The Mail on Sunday
Save £5 at Tesco when you spend £40 or more in store! Buy The Mail on Sunday this weekend, July 25 and you can save £5 off your shopping at Tesco when you spend £40 or more in store! You will find a coupon inside your Mail on Sunday on July 25 which will give [...]
Cashback News: Quidco Statement about DGM administration
Quidco have now also addressed the issue causing havoc among all the major UK cashback sites this week, read what they had to say below. The purpose of this statement is to give you an update on DGM in a way that is as open and transparent as possible. Our aim is to add clarity [...]
With market stalled, improve the home you have now
Home sales and new home construction are down and foreclosures are up in many markets, the Wall Street Journal reports today. In times like these, instead of trading up, consider upgrading the home you have. The good news is that there are many spruce-ups that won’t break the bank or take lots of time. And some energy saving projects qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $1,500 to help defray the cost.
But where should you start? Here are twelve projects, featured in the June issue of our sister publication ShopSmart, that offer the most bang for your buck. (Download ShopSmart Smart Summer Upgrades)
For each project we tell you how to spot a problem and how to fix it and, when appropriate, suggest the equipment that performed best in our tests. Some projects are as simple as upgrading your outdoor lighting or improving your front door and entryway. For the more extensive and expensive projects, we offer typical payback percentages based on information from a poll of real-estate pros done by Remodeling magazine. For example, the typical payback for fixing your deck is 81 percent.
Inside the labs: Mower differences that matter
With some products, you indeed get what you pay for. But with mowers, price differences of $150 or more may have little to do with how the mower does its most basic job: Cutting grass.
Three self-propelled mowers, all made by Snapper, serve as a good example. We’ve already tested the Brute BTXPV22700E, $350, and John Deere JS46, $500 (Ratings available to subscribers.) And we’ve just purchased the Snapper NXT, $500, for testing.
The models in this trio are alike in several ways. They sport the same 22-inch cutting deck, as you can see in the photo of the Snapper (left) and Brute. Also common to all are the drive system, electric start, and one-lever height adjustment. In tests, the Deere scored a notch higher than the Brute for handling and ease of use.
How they differ is model specific. While all have Briggs & Stratton engines, only on the more costly Snapper and Deere will you find overhead-valve engines. These tend to be more efficient and can last longer if properly maintained. Ergonomics of the handle and drive controls vary. The Snapper’s handle sports an LED screen with buttons for six modes: Clock, total hours, trip hours, and timers for changing the oil and replacing the spark plug and air filter. Gimmick? Perhaps, but some of us could use such reminders.
Similarities are common among outdoor power equipment. MTD sells products under its own Cub Cadet, Yard Machines, Yard-Man, Troy-Bilt, and other brands—and also makes some products for Craftsman. Husqvarna products are found under that name as well as Craftsman.
If you want a mower with a few extras, fine, but a less expensive model can also get the job done.
—Ed Perratore
More on mowers: Don’t hit the stores before you’ve checked out our free buying advice for mowers and tractors. Subscribers can view our Ratings for push mowers, self-propelled mowers, and lawn tractors.
Next Steps
Free Screening: The A Team
Watch the new A Team movie before it comes out at the cinema thanks to ShowFilmFirst. Simply enter screening code 454454 and select your venue from the following options. The screening takes place Tuesday July 27th. Enjoy! THE A-TEAM follows the exciting and daring exploits of Hannibal Smith and his colorful team of former Special [...]