Refrigerator too warm?

Recently, I have had more than one customer asking why their refrigerator would be getting warm while their freezer section remained frozen.

Most refrigerators use one mechanical device to cool the freezer down to around 0 degrees, regulated by the freezer setting. Some of that cold air flows into the refrigerator compartment, regulated by the refrigerator setting. The refrigerator compartment is typically set to around 38 degrees.

When the unit is not cooling properly, you will first notice it in the refrigerator section. A 20 degree rise in temperature will result in a refrigerator compartment temperature of 58 degrees. At that temp, milk will sour and meats will rot.

You may notice that your freezer section is still frozen. A 20 degree rise will result in compartment temps of 20 degrees. Frozen food will remain frozen at 20 degrees, so it appears that the freezer is still working. Take my word for it--neither is working if the fridge is not.

What is the cause of this? For the most part, lack of maintenence on the part of the owner. Customers usually have a blanket of pet hair covering the heat exchanger coils beneather the fridge. When I instructed my customers on how to clean the condenser coils, they inevitably return in a few days to thank me for saving them a service call ($65 minimum) or, worse yet, having to buy a new fridge ($$$).

Proper maintenence is one of the benefits of a Master Protection Agreement. With some product problems, a technician may be able to help you resolve the issue right over the phone, which could save time by not having to schedule an appointment. A protection agreement can provide you with peace of mind by knowing that if a problem occurs with your product, you know whom to call to take care of it right away.

Master Protection Agreements

The "gold standard" for coverage. Primary benefits include*:

• Quality service provided by Sears Parts & Repair Services professional repair specialists
• Convenient service available in-home or at a Sears Parts & Repair Service Centers (service location depends on agreement coverage)
• Non-technical and instructional assistance available
• Replacement guarantee
• if you experience 4 or more functional repairs during 12 months of continuous coverage or
• if we are unable to fix it due to unavailability of functional parts or technical knowledge
• No extra charges for covered repairs. All parts and labor included, even for wear and tear repairs and, for the first 3 years, cosmetic parts (if part still functions, but has become cosmetically worn, such as control panel buttons)
• 10% discount off regularly priced non-covered parts or service
• Food Loss up to $250 every 12 months.
• Rental Reimbursement if repair takes too long
• Annual Preventive Maintenance Check included, at the customer's request
• Renewable, transferable and varying contract terms offer maximum flexibility

* Some limitations and exclusions apply. Not valid on products used for commercial purposes. See store or contact us at 1-800-4-MY-HOME® (1-800-469-4663) for Terms & Conditions details. Protection agreements not available in all states for items not purchased at Sears.

Clothes Dryer Fire Prevention

Few people realize the importance of clothes dryer fire prevention. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there is a need to perform yearly maintaintence on clothes dryers to prevent fires. Some faulty appliances are to blame, but most fires can be prevented with proper dryer venting.

How a Clothes Dryer Fire Occurs

Lint accumulation and reduced airflow feed on each other to provide conditions ripe for a fire. Lint is a highly combustible material. In fact, it is one of the ingredients in a recipe for home-made fire starters. A number of dryer vent problems contribute to this.

A growing problem

Traditionally, most clothes dryers were in the basement. However, many new homes are built with dryers located away from an outside wall, such as in bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens and hall closets. These new locations mean dryers tend to be vented longer distances and vents are generally installed with sharp turns and bends to accommodate the structure of the home. As a result, dryer vents are harder to reach and the turns and bends create more places for lint to gather.

Ideally, you should have short, straight, dryer duct venting. However, a dryer vent booster, while not the ideal approach, can improve your dryer venting in cases where your venting is longer and/or has more bends than it should. In addition to creating a fire hazard, if the venting is too long and/or has two many bends, it will cause your dryer to take much longer than necessary to dry loads.

Inside the Dryer

Lint is the biggest culprit here. As you know from cleaning out your lint filter, dryers produce very large quantities of lint. Most people assume their lint traps catch all the lint, and that all they need to clean out after each load. However, a significant amount of this lint is not caught by the lint trap and builds up inside the dryer, including on the heating element! Lint can build up on the heating element and in other places inside the dryer, causing it to overheat and possibly catch fire. If you are skeptical, pull out the lint trap and look underneath it. You may find large quantities of lint staring up at you. Improper clothes dryer venting practices outside the dryer can play a key role in this process.

Outside the Dryer

There are many improper dryer vent practices which restrict airflow and lead to lint buildup, the two main preventable causes of clothes dryer fires. Some of the most common and important dryer vent mistakes are:

1. Dryer vents are too long and/or have too many bends, but don't use a dryer duct booster, resulting in lint buildup. When it comes to dryer vents, shorter and straighter is better.

2. Use of flammable, flimsy plastic or foil duct extenders.
Only metal vents should be used, which is what most manufacturers specify. Metal vents also resist crushing better than plastic and foil, which allows the air and lint to be carried out of the system. Reduced airflow from build-up or crushing can cause overheating and wear out the clothes and appliance faster. In fact, many state and local municipalities have placed requirements on new and remodeling projects to include all metal dryer venting. Using plastic may even void the manufacturers warranty. When it comes to dryer vents, smoother metal is better, but corrugated metal is OK.

3. Inadequate clearance space between dryer and wall.
Many people create problems by putting their dryer right against the wall, crushing the venting material in the process, and blocking the cooling vent slits. The cumulative effect of reduced airflow and the resulting lint build-up prevent the dryer from drying at the normal rate. This causes the high temperature limit safety switch to cycle on and off to control the heater. Most high temperature limit safety switches were not designed to continuously cycle on and off, so they fail over a period of time.

4. Failure to clean the dryer duct on a regular basis.
If the clothes are taking an inordinately long period of time to dry, come out hotter than usual or if the vent hood flapper doesn't open, maintenance is needed. Your dryer may be fine. It may be that the duct is clogged. Do not ignore these symptoms!

Only You Can Prevent Clothes Dryer Fires

Proper Installation & Choice of Building Materials

1. Make sure the dryer duct is made of solid metal. Both vinyl and foil are combustible and spiral-wound surfaces tend to catch lint more readily.

2. The dryer duct should vent to the exterior and should never vent to the attic or crawlspace. Avoid the use of inside heat recovery diverter valves or termination boxes. Dryer exhaust is hot and humid. Venting it to the interior is just asking for mold and mildew growth.

3. Avoid kinking or crushing the dryer duct to make up for installation in tight quarters -this further restricts airflow. If you really want to save the extra space, the Dryerbox is a new invention that allows the dryer to be safely installed against the wall.

4. Minimize the length of the exhaust duct (maximum recommended lengths depend on a number of factors, such as number of bends, and vary by model-check with your manufacturer for their specifications). If this is not possible, you can install a dryer duct booster.

5. If at all possible, use 4-inch diameter vent pipe and exterior exhaust hoods that have openings of sixteen square inches or more, which offer the least resistance to air flow.

6. Don't use screws to put your vent pipe together - the screw shafts inside the piping collect lint and cause additional friction.

Keep the Dryer Duct in Good Condition

Disconnect, clean and inspect the dryer duct run on a regular basis, or hire a professional company to clean the dryer duct. This will reduce the fire hazard, increase the dryer's efficiency and increase its lifespan. In addition, you are less likely to experience water damage.

Keep Your Dryer as Lint-Free as Possible

By keeping your dryer clean, not only will you significantly reduce the fire hazard, you will also save money as your dryer will run more efficiently and last longer.

To keep your dryer clean:

1. Use a lint brush or vacuum attachment to remove accumulated lint from under the lint trap and other accessible places on a periodic basis.

2. Every 1-3 years, depending upon usage, have the dryer taken apart and thoroughly cleaned out by a qualified service technician. Master Protection Agreements include this service annually, at your request.

3. Clean the lint trap either before or after each load.

Alternative Solutions

1. Use a dryer with a larger blower motor, such as the Kenmore Elite Oasis 67032, 68062, or 68082. Theey have a 35% larger blower, which moves more air and can compensate for longer runs, up to 200 feet if ducting is in a straight line (subtract 15 feet for every 90 degree bend).

2. Use a High Efficiency washer, which uses an extremely fast spin speed (>1000 RPM) to extract water from the clothes. They extract significantly more water from the clothes than a conventional washing machine spin cycle does. Examples are Kenmore Oasis, Whirlpool Cabrio, and Maytag Bravos top loaders. All front loaders spin 1000 RPM or more. The Kenmore Elite HE5t 47081 spins the fastest at 1300 RPM.

3. Use a solar powered clothes dryer. These new developments in clothes drying technology consist of a high tensile strength filament combined with pressurized attachment devices to intercept the sun's incoming solar radiation, causing an evaporative effect on the clothing's fabric. Also know as a clothesline and clothespins, these units have never been know to cause a fire, but they do tend to collect any dust or pollen that may be present within the vicinity of their operation.

Before You Go....

1. Never let your clothes dryer run while you are out of the house or when you are asleep.

2. Thoroughly read manufacturers' instructions regarding the safe use of their dryers.

Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires

What to know about H2O

The dangers of dryer fires

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Dryer Fires in the news

Click here to see a Google News search of dryer fires nationwide within the past week.

Clothes Dryer Mishap in Montour

Frosty Valley Rd Dryer Fire

This story is from the Saturday, April 11, 2009 Edition of the Press Enterprise

Fire fears confirmed

By MICHAEL LESTER
Press Enterprise Writer

HEMLOCK TWP. — When Melanie Engelhardt saw thick gray smoke billowing into the sky while leaving Wal-Mart yesterday, she couldn't help but notice the smoke was rising right around the area of where her house would be.

Melanie pointed out the smoke to her mom, Sharon Engelhardt, and they decided to delay lunch plans at Perkins to make the 2-mile drive to check on the home.

Along the way, Sharon asked her daughter if she had blown out a candle in the bathroom. Sharon also remembered she had left a clothes dryer running.

When the women arrived at 149 Frosty Valley Road shortly after 2 p.m., they found several fire trucks lining the road and over 50 volunteer firefighters from at least six departments spraying water into the windows of their farmhouse.

With neighbors at their sides comforting them, Sharon and Melanie stood watching tearfully in their yard for hours as flames destroyed the four-bedroom home on 20 acres Sharon and husband Robert bought three years ago for $300,000...

...Sharon and Melanie speculated the dryer or the bathroom candle may have started the fire. Neither could remember for sure if the candle was lit when they left. But Sharon was certain the clothes dryer was running. She had been washing clothes to donate to Goodwill. "I'm so heartbroken," Sharon said. "I don't know what we're gonna do."
...
As she watched firefighters spray water at flames rising inside her second-story bedroom window, Melanie thought about the $1,500 in baby-sitting and gift money she had saved up. She kept it in the attic. Surely it was gone, Melanie figured. She also thought about her new laptop and clothes.

Sharon thought of Melanie's baby photos and the pictures taken every year at the Bloomsburg Fair of Melanie posing with animals. Sharon said she'll also miss her picture of Mother Teresa. "This is stuff you can't replace," Sharon lamented.

Contact Reporter Michael Lester at 387-1234, ext. 1311 or at mike.l@pressenterprise.net.

Laundry: Pointers and Helpful Hints

How can you enhance your laundry experience? There are a number of accessories to consider that can make life a little easier. Installation is also an area that requires some thought, as many styles require professional installation.

Soap and Suds
The proper detergent is the final element in getting your clothing clean and perfect. While trial-and-error will help you determine what brand is right for you, avoid the temptation to skimp and try to save a few pennies. Quality detergent will help give you a quality result. Since you've already put a lot of thought into fabric care and cleaning your clothing, make sure this final piece of the puzzle complements your diligence, hard work and spotless attention to detail.

• If the water is too cold, liquid detergents may not perform well and powdered detergents may not dissolve
• Avoid adding chlorine bleach too early, as it will be less effective - a good rule of thumb is to wait at least five minutes into the wash cycle
• HE (High Efficiency) detergents should be used with HE (High Efficiency) washers, because they use less water than traditional washers. Regular detergents are less concentrated and can give poor results, even when used in small amounts and can also make too many suds
• ENERGY STAR rated washers operate at lower temperatures, but that won't impact your detergent's cleaning power; in fact, most fabrics don't recommend a high temperature wash and most stains don't need hot water for removal

Tips for Great Laundry
Whether you have washed a thousand loads or have yet to pour your first cup of detergent, anyone can produce clean clothing that looks, smells and feels wonderful. Here are some suggestions that can optimize your laundry time and take the worry out of washing and drying.

• Don't overstuff the washer or dryer; clothing needs room to be washed properly and to achieve sufficient drying
• Always check labels and follow any instructions for fabric care
• Separate items by fabrics, keeping delicates and loose knits away from items that are a little more rough
• Sort laundry by color so that lights and darks are not in the same load, which safeguards lighter items from becoming colored by darker dyes
• Turn garments inside-out for added protection during the laundry process
• Making sure a washer is level will minimize noise and vibration
• Expect different sounds from your washer, and if you've purchased an HE3/HE3t/HE4t, keep in mind that during drains and final spin, it's normal for the sound level to shift as the water is removed from the washer by the pump, and that as the washer gets up to the final spin speed, it may experience a shudder during the transition from wash-and-tumble mode to high speed extraction mode
• Actual cycle time may be different from what you see on the Estimated Time Remaining display, depending on the size of your wash load, the time it takes to heat water (for models with an internal heater), the water pressure and temperature at your house, or rebalancing the load for maximum water extraction
• Use the cycle that matches the clothes being washed -- using an aggressive cycle on delicate items may cause fabrics to tear
• With conventional Top-Load washers, you'll notice a yellow shipping strap sticking out of the back of your new washer. It secures the tub and basket during transport; remove it before use or the washer will malfunction. Remove when within 3 feet of the washer's final destination
• Proper ventilation is essential for good drying; check the exhaust hood on the outside of your house for any lint build-up and have the dryer vents cleaned at least every two years (HVAC duct cleaners or chimney sweeps can do the job)
• Clean the lint screen before every load -- a clean lint screen provides faster drying and lower fabric temperatures
• After removing items from the dryer, immediately fold them or place them on hangers to avoid wrinkling
• Check the pockets before beginning, in case of pens, lipstick, gum or other items that can ruin your clothing

Laundry: Installation

Installation and Accessories :

How can you enhance your laundry experience? There are a number of accessories to consider that can make life a little easier. Installation is also an area that requires some thought, as many styles require professional installation.

Cords
Electric dryers (220v) require appropriate cords. either 4-wire or 3-wire, to allow for safe and effective operation. 4-wire is 2 hots, a neutral and a ground. 3-wire is 2 hots and a ground.

If your house was built before 1996, and you have not had any wiring done since then, you probably have 3-wire. Newer houses and mobile homes probably have 4-wire. CHECK TO SEE. If the plug is grey, it's 3-wire. If the plug is black, it's 4-wire.

Cords are available in 4' and 6' lengths. The cost for either is the same, $19.99 as of this writing.

Venting
Hookup kits are also available, which include both a cord and the items needed for proper venting: a 5' flexible METAL tube and a 90 degree elbow.

DO NOT use plastic or foil-covered plastic tubing. Plastic is designed to ventilate steamy shower air and stinky bathroom air using bathroom vent fans. Plastic is a fire hazard when hooked to a dryer and DOES NOT MEET FIRE CODE. Don't cheap out! Watch the videos I have posted on this site on dryer safety.

Installation
Installation is often performed at the time of delivery. Electric dryers require a 240-volt outlet. Gas dryers require a 120-volt, 3-pronged grounded outlet, as well as a gas hookup. Washers require a connection of drain and supply lines. Before your washer or dryer is delivered, consider the following suggestions:

• Measure the space where your machines will be installed, so you are sure that the doors will open fully and you'll have plenty of space to access with ease
• Measure the clearances of doorways, entryways and hallways for hassle-free installation
• If the dryer runs but there is no heat, check the 2 circuit breakers or fuses -- if only one is tripped, the dryer can still run with no heat
• Your dryer must be level front to back and side to side for Auto Dry sensors to work properly; refer to installation instructions for details on leveling
• Dryer doors are reversible, but washer doors are not; this is so you won't have leaks caused by improper reversal. Utilize longer fill hoses, drain hose extensions and venting extensions if you wish to modify the washer/dryer set-up in your laundry area
• If you have limited space, look for compact models or a stacked washer and dryer unit

Pedestal
Pedestals raise a dryer 10-15 inches off the floor, so that you don't have to bend over to take out your dried items. These are especially useful for people with health concerns and other issues that make it difficult to reach down. You may NOT use a pedestal under the washer and then stack a dryer on top. Well, you CAN, but you shouldn't.

Stacking Kit
These kits allow you to stack your washer and dryer for out-of-the-way convenience. Not all models are available to be stacked, so check to verify compatibility for specific types. All Kenmore branded dryers come with the appropriate stacking kit. Other brands are extra cost, anywhere from $15-35

Laundry: Dryers

Dryer Operation :

How can you make sure that all of your clothes, from your Saturday party outfits to your Sunday best, look great? The right settings will help all kinds of garments keep the just-from-the-store appearance and give you the right amounts of power and finesse. Moisture sensors prove invaluable at alerting the dryer that the load is thoroughly dried, thus preventing damage and shrinking. Wrinkle Guard technology gives you a cleaned and pressed look without requiring a great deal of fuss.

Automatic Moisture Sensing (AMS)
Dryers equipped with moisture sensing strips can sense the dryness level of the clothing from wet to damp to bone dry. Most models will also allow you to select which dryness level you would like each load to be. If you need to pull out a piece of clothing you do not want to be overdried, set the dryness level to its "damp" setting. Once you have pulled out that one garment, set the dryness level to "normal" to finish the rest of the load. Using cycles equipped with AMS takes the guesswork out of drying clothes and protects your fabrics for longer wear.

Door Type / Swing
Dryers come in many sizes and have different types of doors and openings in which you load the dryer. Each door type comes in different sizes, and again, bigger is always better when it comes to loading and unloading your clothes.
Side swing doors swing out of the way, so you can get close to the dryer opening while being right in front of the washer. Some models allow you to reverse the door to swing to the opposite side, but not all do, so consider which side your washer is on and if the door will be a problem.
Drop down or hamper door styles drop down and act as a shelf for clothing to be caught if dropped when being transferred from the dryer. The door can also be used for folding clothing while the dryer is being unloaded.

Drum Material
The drum material on a dryer is typically a special painting or powder paint process. Because there is no water in a dryer, the material does not need to be as rust resistant as the washer. Some dryers do offer stainless steel, but it is normally surrounded by other painted parts.

Dry Damp Signal
If getting your jeans or other garments out early is important to you, consider a model that has a Damp Dry signal. This signal alerts you when the contents of the dryer have reached a "damp" level of dryness, freeing you up for more important things.

Lighted Drums
For dryers in a dimly lit area or a dark basement, go with a model that features an interior light. Interior drum lighting illuminates the entire drum, supplies you with easier loading and unloading, and helps you see small pieces of clothing, such as socks, anywhere inside the dryer.

Lint Trap
Lint traps filter lint and debris to keep it from sticking to your clothing. Some models feature sensors that alert you when the filter is blocked. Filters should be checked regularly to prevent the risk of fire. The lint screen will either be located on top of the dryer or inside the door of the dryer. This is again one of the choices that is strictly up to you, and will not impact drying. If the screen is located in the door, it is right in front of you as a reminder when loading or unloading clothing and frees up the top of your dryer for other items. The lint screen on the top allows cleaning without bending.

Settings / Systems
When you select the right setting for your clothes, you've given them the best chance for an increased lifespan. Why, you just might prolong their use so much that they go out of style and then back in before you have to replace them! Let the detailed settings help you find the heat level that is right for any piece in your collection.

• The Normal cycle is designed for everyday items that can stand the rigors of standard drying without showing any harm or damage
• Permanent Press / Casual is designed for permanent press and wrinkle-free garments by helping reduce wrinkles with a cool down cycle
• Delicates / Knits supplies a mild heat that lets you confidently care for items with specific needs
• SmartHeat monitors the temperature of the dryer based on the type of clothing being dried
• EvenHeat features automatic temperature control that eliminates hot spots and cool patches
• SoftHeat reduces heat at the end of a cycle, so clothing gets dry but not dried out
• Damp Dry is a shortened cycle that leaves items slightly damp for immediate ironing

Top Material
A feature that may be of interest to you if you like to use your dryer as a worksurface for other tasks is a porcelain top. Porcelain is a coating that is put on the top, similar to some wash baskets, that is as strong as steel but as smooth as glass. This protection keeps your dryer looking as good as new for a lifetime of use, without scratches.

Tumble-Free Drying Racks
Some dryers come with tumble-free dryer racks which can be used for those items that you might normally have to hang dry. If you like to wash your tennis shoes, hats, sweaters and other items which require non-tumble drying, you will want to have a dryer rack to save you the time it takes to have these special items dry by being left out all around your house.
Some brands of dryers come with a special type of non-tumble dryer rack called a heated dryer rack. The heated dryer rack directs the airflow toward and through the item. By pulling the air through the item, the heated dryer rack can dry an item three times as fast as the normal dryer racks.

Wrinkle Guard
If you do not like ironing your clothes to get the wrinkles out, consider the Wrinkle Guard feature. It periodically or continuously (depending on model) works at the end of the cycle while alerting you that the cycle is done. This will continue for up to two and half hours on certain models, giving you the freedom to come back when it is convenient for you.

Dryer Type :

What do you need to know about selecting the best dryer? Gas models will have a premium in cost over their electric equivalent, but in some cases will repay this cost in lower utility bills. Full-size and space-saving models are both available, allowing consumers of all needs to arrive at clothing that is warm, fresh, bright and comfortable. Let your clothes feel the heat while you stay calm, cool, collected and clean.

Capacity
Capacity is very important when considering a dryer -- the more you are able to dry in a single load, the less time and money you will spend doing your laundry. Larger capacity provides more room for clothes to open up and move around inside the drum and often results in less wrinkling. Typical dryer capacity ranges from approximately 3.4 cubic feet (for a compact model) to up to 7.5 cubic feet (for a king size capacity model). Try to plan around the needs and size of your family before you purchase, to ensure that you will have the proper size for years to come. Larger capacity models allow you to conveniently dry large amounts of clothing without having to shuttle specific items in and out, as well as generally providing faster drying times. As a rule of thumb, more capacity is always better.

• Shop for a dryer with roughly twice the cubic foot capacity of your washer
• Larger capacity provides more room for clothes to move around inside the drum and often results in less wrinkling

Electric
Electric dryers can be a good choice for consumers who have a smaller budget to spend on a dryer purchase. Electric dryers require a dedicated 240-volt power source. These models will also provide steady drying performance that can be counted on for many years.

• Less expensive on initial purchase
• Compact dryer models come exclusively electric
• Requires a dedicated 240-volt power hookup

Gas
Gas dryers use natural gas to power the drying action. Gas dryers require a gas hookup and can lead to increased savings in terms of fuel bills and energy consumption. They offer reliable, long-lasting drying that will make it easy to get the best from your fabrics.

• Provides long-term saving in fuel costs
• Features a quicker drying time on average
• Requires a gas hookup

Space-Saving Modes
Compact models take up less space while still providing effective drying power. These models are best suited for households with a smaller number of people and for places where space is a concern.

Laundry: Washers

Basics of Buying :

You will be pleasantly surprised by the current state of laundry care and the ease with which you can take care of your laundry needs. As you move closer to buying a new machine, there will be several choices to make. For instance, are you looking for a high efficiency washer or a conventional washer? Which cycles, options, and features are most important for your family? It will also be important to think about how your choices will fit with your home. For example, what type of dryer will you need, a gas or electric? Keep in mind that cleaning your clothing and caring for your fabrics is of paramount interest, and that finding units with energy-saving abilities will reap financial dividends down the road.

Energy Efficiency
With energy bills on the rise, it makes sense to minimize the amount of power being expended. You can stretch your energy dollar farther by choosing machines designed to conserve energy while still providing optimal laundry care. The high-quality engineering of today's models means you won't have to sacrifice power for performance, and the extra dollars you save will show off your smart financial sense. The best way to select an energy efficient clothes washer is to look for the ENERGY STAR label. ENERGY STAR is the national symbol for energy efficiency. Clothes washers that have earned the ENERGY STAR label save energy and prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR qualified washers also save water, and less water is key to energy savings as well. Overall, ENERGY STAR can save you around $600 in energy and water bills over the washer's life, which on average is 11 years.¹
Clothes washer lifetime: 11 years (2004 Appliance Magazine's Portrait of the U.S. Appliance Industry)

Laundry Room Location
Where will your washer and dryer be located? Will the noise-level of the units be a consideration for you? If noise is a concern, you will want to keep noise-related issues in mind as you make your selection.

Space Considerations
You need to consider the width, depth and height of your new laundry units and how they fit into your laundry room. You may find that you are interested in a washer/dryer set that is designed to be stacked, or a set that has storage capabilities associated with it. Keep in mind that these options impact the space that is required, so it is important to know upfront what space is available.
Washers and dryers come in several different sizes. Washers range from 24" to 27.5" wide, whereas dryers range from 27" to 29.5" wide. Both washers and dryers range from 26" to 32" deep and 42" to 51" high. Some models are designed to sit on pedestals that range from 10" to 16" high. If your space is limited, there are compact options as well as stackable washer/dryer combinations.

Where to Begin
Before you can make an intelligent purchase, you have to assess your needs. Thinking ahead to what suits your family, your clothing and your lifestyle will make it easy to arrive at smart decisions that provide long-term happiness. Here are some questions to consider:

• Will you be doing laundry for a large or small number of people?
• Will you do laundry nearly everyday or only once or twice a week?
• Do you have a wardrobe that requires special care?
• Do you wish to save money by utilizing energy-efficient features?
• How much space do you have available in your laundry room?

Cycles and Options :

Just as you wouldn't cook an apple pie in a frying pan, you wouldn't want to put your clothes in the wrong cycle at the incorrect setting. Your clothing means a lot to you, so you need to decide which cycle options will best care for that great new sweater, favorite old shirt, or trusty pair of khakis. Use the following descriptions to help you choose which cycles are right for your family.

Delicates / Handwash
The Delicate cycle provides a constant wash motion and a shorter or slower wash speed. Use this cycle to keep fine items, such as sweaters, undergarments, and more in the best possible condition.

• Simulates hand-washing to provide soft cleansing of delicate fabrics
• Gentle wash motion with less speed maintains optimum appearance and fit

Extra Soak / Extra Rinse
For clothing articles that are extra dirty, a longer soak time and/or more vigorous rinse may be just the solution. These options are for sports uniforms, work shirts and any other items in need of additional cleaning or rinsing.

• Extra soak time breaks up stains and dirt and makes them easier to wash away
• Extra rinsing removes more detergent and ensures clothing is clean and fresh without a layer of detergent residue
• The Skin Care Rinse option is ideal for people extremely sensitive to soaps and detergents.

Normal
The "Normal" cycle setting is designed for items that can be washed without needing special attention. These items include T-shirts, denim jeans, cotton items and many everyday basics, leaving you to just toss in your laundry and move on to other business.

• Designed for items that can be easily washed without fear of harm or damage from normal wash motion
• Use warm water when washing these items, unless there is a chance of bright / dark colors that might bleed or run

Permanent Press / Casual
Permanent press garments have been permanently shaped and treated to guard against wrinkles -- these may even be called "Wrinkle Free". Choose the Permanent Press / Casual cycle to keep wrinkles at bay and achieve a dynamic look that requires little effort.

• Minimizes the hassle of ironing wrinkled garments
• Can be used for business casual clothing
• Maintains the shape and look of your clothes

Sanitary
The Sanitary cycle uses the built-in heater to heat water to more than 150 degrees Fahrenheit to safely deep-clean stains and thoroughly clean heavily soiled colorfast fabrics. The Sanitary cycle is an ideal setting for washing bed linens because the water reaches temperatures more than 30 degrees Fahrenheit higher than typical washers, helping to kill dust mites.

Specialty Cycles
Additional options and features abound for consumers looking not just to clean their clothes well, but also save time and money. Finding just the right setting to suit your lifestyle can help you gain more satisfaction from your laundry care.

• Express Wash / Quick Wash cycles supply a shorter wash time for pieces that may only be slightly soiled or needed in a hurry
• Bulky Bedding cycle is designed to help you effortlessly clean sheets, blankets, comforters and other sleep-related items
• Kids Wear cycle is designed for the special needs (and stains) of children and is a great help for Moms and Dads
• Extra / Super Delicate cycles supply an especially light touch for clothing that requires extreme care
• Catalyst cleaning mixes the detergent with the water, creating a lather that really gets clothes clean

Laundry: Dryer Safety

Dirty Dryer vents can cause increased drying times and are a potential fire hazard. Do you have increased drying times? You may need your dryer vent cleaned. Regular cleaning of the dryer vents will increase dryer efficiency and reduce fire risk. Improperly installed dryer vents are one cause of house fires. Please watch these videos to help you prevent a fire in your house. Don't believe me? Then just ask that leading consumer magazine, Consumer Reports.

Do you have plastic or foil-covered plastic dryer venting? You shouldn't! This video demonstrates the fire hazard of a dryer vent. This dryer vent is made of white vinyl, which is against fire code. It also wasn't cleaned for about 10 years. This dryer vent could have burnt a home to the ground within 15 minutes.


Some people have even run plastic venting BEHIND their walls. They would never even see the fire before it was too late.

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This video will show you how to clean your ducts. Note, however, that this video shows the use of plastic flexible ducting, which is NOT recommended.

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And for builders, please do a quality job and use the dryerBox:

Water Treatment order

If this looks easy, then check out the manual. Or, save yourself the hassle and let the pros do it.

Things to know before buying a Water Heater

I cannot keep count how many people come into the store to buy a new water heater without even knowing the answer to these essential questions. Some people even think all water heaters are the same! When I ask customers these questions, some look at me as if I am supposed to know what they have in their house. Unless you've invited me to dinner in the past, I DON'T!

Measure the width and depth of the available space. Measure the height of the old water heater, bot to the top of the jacket AND to the top of the flue vent.

Please, before coming into the store, review these questions and know the answers BEFORE trying to make a purchase. It will save you from possible multiple trips, purchases and returns.

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1. Are you replacing a Water Heater in the same location?
Replacing a Water Heater using the same fuel and in the same location is the least expensive type of installation.

2. Is your current Water Heater fuel LP (sometimes called propane or bottle gas), natural gas or electric? 20 or 30 amp?

3. Is there a shut-off valve in the cold water inlet pipe? This will let you shut off the water if the unit leaks. This may be a code requirement and may involve an additional charge.

4. Do you require a Power-Vent model? These have little fans on top to vent the combustion gasses. If you do not have a chimney or flue, or if your venting is PVC, then yes, you do need a power vent.

5. If gas, is there a gas shut-off valve? This will let you shut off the gas to the Water Heater. This may be a code requirement and may involve an additional charge.

6. How large is the vent connector leading to the chimney? Common diameters are 3 and 4 inches. Higher recovery units need a 4-inch diameter. A plumber will know the code for your area.

7. What condition is the vent pipe? The vent connector carries the gases to the chimney. It must be in good condition to prevent flue gases from leaking into the house. If it is PVC, see question 4.

8. What is your location? Mobile home and commercial installations may be more expensive, and require specific models. Check with your plumber.

9. Where is the unit located in your home? An additional charge may apply if more than one person may be required to bring the unit to a second floor or other difficult locations.

10. If the Water Heater is located in the garage, is the tank elevated? Code requires the burner to be elevated when the Water Heater is located in an area that might contain flammable materials. If a Water Heater stand is required, there will be an additional charge.

11. If the unit is in a closet, is there a drain pan? We have drain pans available for installations in areas where a water leak could cause extensive damage.

12. Is your Water Heater accessible? It will take more time to install if other appliances have to be moved in order to access the Water Heater.

13. How large is your current Water Heater? Was your old unit adequate for your needs? Additional installation costs apply for Water Heaters of 52 gallons or larger (these require two installers).

14. What is the height and diameter of the existing unit? Water Heater models come in different heights. Tall, Shorty - 50" or less, etc.

15. Will the new unit be too wide or tall for the available space? Measure the height, depth, and width of the space where you will put your new Water Heater.

16. Would you like the old unit hauled away? We'll do it for only $10.