NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20207
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2010
Release # 10-122
Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 337-2653
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
Liebherr Recalls Built-In Refrigerators Due to Injury Hazard; Door Can Detach
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Liebherr Built-In 24-Inch Wide Single Door Refrigerators
Units: About 2,700
Importer: Liebherr-Canada Ltd of Ontario, Canada
Manufacturer: Liebherr-Hausgeraete Ochsenhausen GmbH, of Germany
Hazard: The refrigerator's door can detach, posing an injury hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Liebherr has received 13 reports of doors detaching, including two reports of injuries involving bruising and strains.
Description: This recall involves Liebherr built-in 24-inch wide single door refrigerators with model numbers R1400, RI1400, RB1400, and RBI1400 sold individually or as a component of side-by-side refrigerators. The refrigerators come in stainless steel and various custom finishes and are built into the kitchen cabinetry. "Liebherr" is written on the top interior control panel. The model number can be found on a label located behind the bottom drawer on the left interior side of the single door refrigerator. The side-by-side refrigerators were marketed as model numbers SBS240, SBS24 I0, SBS245, SBS24I5. This model number is not found on the product.
Sold by: Appliance and specialty retailers nationwide from January 2005 through November 2009 for between $2,500 and $3,200.
Manufactured in: Germany
Remedy: Consumers with recalled refrigerators should contact Liebherr immediately to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should check their refrigerator immediately to see whether the door hinge pin has become loose. If the hinge has not become loose and the door is functioning properly, consumers may continue to use the refrigerator until it is repaired.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Liebherr toll-free at (877) 337-2653 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT or visit Liebherr's Web site at www.liebherr-appliances.com
To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled products and diagrams of the hazard, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10122.html
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
Solar Water Heater Rebates on Tap in CA
The San Francisco Chronicle had an article called Rebates for solar water heaters approved this morning.
this is exciting news for homeowners bent on making their homes as energy efficient as possible, because heating water consumes up to half of our monthly gas bills.
A typical home solar water system costs from $5,000 to $7,000. Rebates will be available for $1500 toward this cost as the program rolls out. Consumers will get less as the years go by and the funding is depleted, so it's best to get started planning soon. The program will run for eight years or until the funding is used up, whichever comes first.
Funding will come from utility customers, through a surcharge on natural gas bills. The surcharge is estimated to be 13 cents per month.
Here's a link to the California Public Utilities Commission's press release with more details: CPUC ESTABLISHES INCENTIVES FOR INSTALLATION OF SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS
Peggy
this is exciting news for homeowners bent on making their homes as energy efficient as possible, because heating water consumes up to half of our monthly gas bills.
A typical home solar water system costs from $5,000 to $7,000. Rebates will be available for $1500 toward this cost as the program rolls out. Consumers will get less as the years go by and the funding is depleted, so it's best to get started planning soon. The program will run for eight years or until the funding is used up, whichever comes first.
Funding will come from utility customers, through a surcharge on natural gas bills. The surcharge is estimated to be 13 cents per month.
Here's a link to the California Public Utilities Commission's press release with more details: CPUC ESTABLISHES INCENTIVES FOR INSTALLATION OF SOLAR WATER HEATING SYSTEMS
Peggy
Fridges Keep Growing and Growing
Those 60's twins' heads are indicative of a long standing trend of refrigerators growing taller and taller. The fridge in the picture is probably 60-62" tall. Back in the 80's they were typically 69" high, now they are 72" on average.
Since I have been designing lifetime kitchens for clients for the last 27 years, I find myself dealing with this problem quite a bit these days. Previous clients call me when their choice of a new fridge won't fit under the cabinet above built in on "refrigerator legs" (That's what we call those panels that enclose the refrigerator on each side).
In response I have learned to place a shorter cabinet with a removable valance below over the refrigerator in anticipation of further "growth".
Dealing with the refrigerator cabinets in the kitchens that were designed before my "revelation" is harder. They always need to be replaced, since 69" high refrigerators of any decent quality don't exist any more, and the idea was that they look built-in. The only fridge that is the same height as it was in the 80's is the Sub-Zero (Thank YOU Sub-Zero!).
No matter how the existing cabinets are finished, it is a problem matching the old with the new. Kitchen cabinet finishes yellow and mellow (darken) over time, with exposure to light and cooking fumes. So, even if we have a perfect stain or paint sample to match what they looked like originally, it will take a year or so for the new to age to the look of the old. Getting a sample to match that has been shielded from light and fumes is difficult too!
There is also the issue of matching the door style: Only the better cabinet manufacturers keep any sort of record of the edge details and insert panel profiles of cabinet doors they made 20 years ago. Neither do the clients. But I do.
Doesn't sound much like glamorous kitchen design. Does it?
Peggy
Thermador Oven Recall Expanded
January 21, 2010
Release # 10-118
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 701-5230
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
BSH Home Appliances Corp. Expands Recall of Thermador(r) Built-In Ovens Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Thermador(r) Built-In Ovens
Units: About 37,000 (42,000 built-in ovens were previously recalled in June 2007)
Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Huntington Beach, Calif.
Hazard: The ovens can have gaps in the insulation where overheating can occur and when used in the self-cleaning mode it can cause nearby cabinets to catch fire. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: BSH Home Appliances has received three additional reports of incidents, including two that resulted in fires that damaged surrounding cabinets. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves Thermador Brand built-in double ovens with model numbers C272B, C302B, SEC272, SEC302, SECD272 and SECD302 and serial numbers between FD8403 through FD8701. Model and serial numbers are located on the underside of the control panel.
Sold at: Appliance and specialty stores nationwide from June 2004 through July 2007 for between $3,000 and $4,400.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven's self-cleaning mode and contact the firm to schedule an inspection and free repair, if necessary.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Thermador at (800) 701-5230 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, or visit the firm's Web site at www.thermador.com
To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10118.html
Release # 10-118
Firm's Recall Hotline: (800) 701-5230
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
BSH Home Appliances Corp. Expands Recall of Thermador(r) Built-In Ovens Due to Fire Hazard
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Thermador(r) Built-In Ovens
Units: About 37,000 (42,000 built-in ovens were previously recalled in June 2007)
Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp., of Huntington Beach, Calif.
Hazard: The ovens can have gaps in the insulation where overheating can occur and when used in the self-cleaning mode it can cause nearby cabinets to catch fire. This poses a fire hazard to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: BSH Home Appliances has received three additional reports of incidents, including two that resulted in fires that damaged surrounding cabinets. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves Thermador Brand built-in double ovens with model numbers C272B, C302B, SEC272, SEC302, SECD272 and SECD302 and serial numbers between FD8403 through FD8701. Model and serial numbers are located on the underside of the control panel.
Sold at: Appliance and specialty stores nationwide from June 2004 through July 2007 for between $3,000 and $4,400.
Manufactured in: United States
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the oven's self-cleaning mode and contact the firm to schedule an inspection and free repair, if necessary.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Thermador at (800) 701-5230 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, or visit the firm's Web site at www.thermador.com
To see this recall on CPSC's web site, including pictures of the recalled product, please go to: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10118.html
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Jenn-Air No Preheat Oven
Jenn-Air is touting its JJW3830WS double oven as No Preheat needed.
What a concept! Imagine that you could throw the forgotten biscuits in this baby and have them done in 10 minutes. My current oven would take 20 minutes to preheat to 450 degrees before I could put the biscuits in there.
Now that's a real reason to buy a new oven!
Peggy
Kuppersbusch Slim Gas Cooktop
Here's another single-line-4-burner cooktop. This one in gas and glass (which I personally LOVE - So easy-care), from KuppersbuschUSA.
Only in black...wish there was white too>:(
Dimensions: Width: 43 5/16, Depth: 14 9/16, Installation Height: 3 3/16 (That means you can have a working top drawer underneath).
The Model # is GKS11740.0
Only in black...wish there was white too>:(
Dimensions: Width: 43 5/16, Depth: 14 9/16, Installation Height: 3 3/16 (That means you can have a working top drawer underneath).
The Model # is GKS11740.0
DOE Appliance Rebates
The U.S. Department of Energy 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act established a State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program for select residential appliances.
You can get more information and find if your state is participating and what products are covered by clicking the link above.
California's rebates will begin about March 2010. Their web site is:
Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program and ENERGY STAR® Recovery Funding
Be sure to read all the fine print on rebates. ie:
{Program information subject to change. Rebates may be offered for a limited time only. Before purchasing a product, check with your program sponsor to ensure rebates are available, and to confirm product eligibility and program requirements. Products purchased must meet efficiency criteria as established by the state.}
Remember, you can combine rebates from different sources to maximize your return.
For current California rebates check Flex your Power Rebates, Incentives & Services where you can track available rebates from all sources by zip code.
Sears has also notified me that they have put up a web site to assist consumers all across the nation with a one-stop place to find rebates. Just go to www.sears.com/energystar to find your state's rebate program.
Peggy
You can get more information and find if your state is participating and what products are covered by clicking the link above.
California's rebates will begin about March 2010. Their web site is:
Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program and ENERGY STAR® Recovery Funding
Be sure to read all the fine print on rebates. ie:
{Program information subject to change. Rebates may be offered for a limited time only. Before purchasing a product, check with your program sponsor to ensure rebates are available, and to confirm product eligibility and program requirements. Products purchased must meet efficiency criteria as established by the state.}
Remember, you can combine rebates from different sources to maximize your return.
For current California rebates check Flex your Power Rebates, Incentives & Services where you can track available rebates from all sources by zip code.
Sears has also notified me that they have put up a web site to assist consumers all across the nation with a one-stop place to find rebates. Just go to www.sears.com/energystar to find your state's rebate program.
Peggy
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