JD Power Announces 2011 Appliance Consumer Satisfaction Survey Results

J.D. Power and Associates announced the results for their annual consumer satisfaction survey. The study was based on consumers who purchased major household appliances within the last 24 months. The survey showed that the number of consumers who find energy efficiency to be the top category to consider on the increase in comparison to years past. Appliances were rated in six factors: ease of use, features, performance and reliability, styling and appearance, warranty, and price.  Samsung was the big winner, ranking number one in the washer and clothes dryer categories and second in customer satisfaction with refrigerators.

Source: Appliance Service News, November 2011 Issue

Tags: Samsung

Sharp’s New Washer/Dryer Saves Time by Drying on a Hanger

The Sharp Corporation announced that the company will release a line of top-loading washer/dryer combos that will accept clothes on hangers. The machine will have specific hangers that will attach to a bar in the inside of the machine’s lid. Using a hanger to hang the garments vertically cuts down on drying time.

The appliances inner drum is about 7 inches larger than that of Sharp’s conventional washer/dryer making the hanger technology possible. The unit’s outer lid has the sealing function that therefore eliminates the need for an inner seal.  This feature also makes it possible to load and unload easier.

The ES-TX810 will retail for $1,695 and the larger capacity ES-TX910 will be priced somewhat higher.

Source: Appliance Service News , November 2011 Issue

Haier Voluntarily Recalls Switch in Washer/Dryer Combo

Haier America has set in motion a voluntary corrective action to replace a possibly faulty switch in all model HWD1500 combo washer/dryers manufactured in the year 2010. The switch can reportedly overheat causing a potential fire hazard. Replacement of the switch will be done in both customer homes and in retail inventories. Haier will no longer produce that particular model and will introduce a new model HWD1600 that will include the new selector switch.

Source: Marcone World, September 2011 Issue

Tags: Haier, Recall

Court rules in favor a Whirlpool over LG once again

Whirlpool wins against LG for the third time this year. Recently, a federal court ruled in favor of Whirlpool in the last remaining lawsuit filed by LG. LG brought the case in hopes of banning Whirlpool from using the word “steam” to describe its line of steam dryers. The United States District Court in Chicago, Illinois found that Whirlpool’s dryers do, in fact, use steam. LG did not produce any retailers or customers who expressed any confusion.

Whirlpool demonstrated in court that that its design was different from that of LG. Whirlpool steam dryers combine existing heat resources with automatic water mist to create steam inside the dryer’s drum. LG’s system uses a manually-filled external water cartridge that must be filled with cold water before each use.

Source: Marcone World Magazine, September 2011 Issue

Tags: LG, steam dryer, Whirlpool

Happy Birthday Bosch!

On May 19^th, Bosch Group celebrated its 125^th anniversary at an event in Germany attended by about 2,000 guests from countries around the world. Originally Robert Bosch GmbH, the company was established by Robert Bosch in 1886 as an electrical engineering and mechanics workshop.

In 1967, the company joined with Siemens AG, to become one of the world’s largest appliance manufacturers. The Bosch Group currently employs 285,000 workers in more than 60 countries.

Source: Marcone World Magazine, September 2011 Issue

Maytag Maxima Washers Use Detergent Optimizing Dispense System

The Maytag Maxima front-load washers, debuted in Sears retail outlets in April, feature an optimizing liquid detergent dispensing system. The Maxima’s Optimal Dispense compartment holds detergent for up to 36 loads using concentrated high efficiency detergent. Users can chose the desired level of detergent using the washer’s full-color LCD display. The washer then calculates when and how much detergent to supply into the drum to ensure the greatest cleaning for the indicated load.

Other features of the Maytag Maxima MHW9000X washer include PowerSpray and Fresh Hold Technology.  Powerspray aids the cleaning by dispensing the detergent evenly throughout the load. The Fresh Hold option with Dynamic Venting Technology keeps washed clothes from growing stale or mildewed for up to sixteen hours before being moved into the clothes dryer.

Suggested retail for this model is $1,599.

Source: Marcone World Magazine, September 2011 Issue

Tags: HE detergent, maytag, mildew

The Importance of Duct Cleaning

Duct cleaning is a growing business. It is suggested that homes with central heating and or cooling equipment should have the ducts cleaned every three to five years.  Debris, such as pet hair and dust, builds up over time and can be spread throughout the home.

There are also ducts that connect dryers to the outside of the home. Lint traps capture most of the lint and hair from clothing, but some bypasses the traps and the ducts become plugged with debris over time.  When the duct is clogged, heat is trapped inside the dryer, causing the dryer to work harder to circulate the air. A dryer with clogged ducts may fail sooner due to the heat damaging the dryer’s thermostat and other components.  It can also be a fire hazard.

Duct cleaning usually runs from $125 to $160 depending upon location.

Source: Marcone World Magazine, September 2011 Issue

Tags: dryer, duct cleaning, lint

Consumer Reports Names Most Effective Pre-Treatment Stain Fighters

According to Consumer Reports magazine, technicians could be recommending two effective pre-treatment stain fighters to remove the tough stains washers aren’t getting out. Reports by CR researchers show that the two most effective treatments are  Resolve Laundry Pre-treat and Shout Advanced Action. The treatments were evaluated for effectiveness in removing coffee, blood, wine, sebum, motor oil and grass stains. Full results of the tests were published in the July 2011 issue of Consumer Reports magazine.

Source: Appliance Service News, September 2011 Issue

Tags: pre-treat, stain remover, stains, washers

GfK Group Names LG the Best Selling Appliance Brand

Last week, GFK Group, a German market research firm, published a report stating that LG is the world’s most popular appliance brand. The survey covered appliance sales in 50 countries and found that LG had the largest market share of all brands. GFK Group also reported that LG is leading the market in sales of front-load washers in the United States and throughout the world.  

When top-load washing machines are added into the washer category, Whirlpool sells the most. Lg only markets front-loading machines.

Source: Marcone World Magazine, September 2011 Issue

Tags: LG, Whirlpool

Canadian Tire Now Offers Major Appliances

Canadian Tire now offers Inglis and Amana appliances at its 1,200 store chain. The stores will carry refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, microwaves and laundry appliances. Canadians have purchased high-quality small appliances from Canadian Tire, and the company’s VP of merchandising, T.J. Flood is excited to offer quality major appliances at great value. Over the summer, the retailer offered customers several promotions, including discounts and bonus cards to be used toward future purchases of select appliances.

Source: Appliance Service News, September 2011 Issue

Tags: Amana, appliances, Canadian Tire, Inglis