It's That Time of Year Again - Black "Friday" is here!

As many families use the "family holidays" (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, etc.), as an excuse to upgrade their stoves, I had planned to devote a column to helping choose the "right stove for you."  However... I have subsequently learned that Black Friday advertising is going to begin as soon as the first of November, so I've decided to jump ahead and write a companion blog.

(Did you ever wonder where the expression Black Friday comes from?  I'm repasting this explanation from a former blog:)

Black Friday's origin was most likely back in 1924, when Macy's decided to offer steep discounts in conjunction with their famous Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The term "Black Friday" as a retail event came into vogue in the 80's. By then the Holiday shopping season would run from the day after Thanksgiving up to Christmas, and for many retailers these four weeks were essential to their end of year profit - or even survival.  Hence "Black", meaning "In the black, or showing a profit", versus being "In the red."  The name stuck, and eventually migrated from the U.S. to other countries.

So, how do you get the most out of Black Friday specials?  And, (and I get this question fairly frequently) are the discounts genuine, or is all the advertising just a bunch of hype?

I'll answer the second question first.  Yes, yes, yes!  

Black Friday pricing is indeed more aggressive than other promo periods.  Ever since retailers started relying on the spike in sales during the Christmas period to be able to show a profit for the year, promotions and advertising have continually increased.  Discounts became more aggressive, and the start dates for promotions kept getting pushed earlier and earlier.  In other words, be prepared for an invasion of ads on tv, radio, online, even newspapers, with everyone clamoring for your attention.

And yes, Manny's is no different.  Of course we'd love the chance to find a stove or other appliance that meets your needs!

We also want to be able to offer you aggressive pricing - often with some extra perks such as manufacturer rebates, deferred interest financing, the ability to offer service (rather than make you go through the ordeal of calling a manufacturer and having to endure a voice-prompt rabbit hole), as well as being able to offer our experience and expertise to help you find that "right" product.

GE French Door GNE27JYMFS

Let's start with a decent, "mid-level", three-piece GE package.  This will consist of a full-size, full depth French door fridge, a self-cleaning, stainless steel range, and a stainless front, energy-star qualified dishwasher.

Refrigerator:  GNE27JYMFS  $1599 (reg $2499)  

https://www.mannystv.com/refrigeration/french-door/french-door-bottom-freezer-refrigerators/ge-appliances/GNE27JYMFS

Range  GRF500SVSS $649  (reg $949) 

https://www.mannystv.com/cooking/ranges/freestanding-smoothtop-electric-range/ge-appliances/GRF500SVSS

Dishwasher GDF535PSRSS $379 (reg $669)   

https://www.mannystv.com/kitchen-cleanup/dishwashers/built-in-dishwasher/ge-appliances/GDF535PSRSS

Total for the three pieces: $2637 - a savings from the regular price of nearly $1500!

All these pieces would come in a stainless steel finish, and all would have matching handles and display fonts.

Ge Profile refrigerator and dishwasher 

Now, let's suppose you want a more "upscale" kitchen.  

I'm going to stay with GE for comparison ease, but jump to the GE Profile line.  We'll add an ice and water dispenser to the front of the fridge, a fourth drawer that allows you to keep food at a different temperature than the rest of the fridge (not to mention the added convenience of your family finding their favorite foods more easily).  We can upgrade the range to a "slide-in", backless style, add an induction top for faster and more responsive cooking, as well as a convection fan in the oven to facilitate air frying, and also give you faster, and better tasting food.  We'll go to a substantially quieter dishwasher, add a third rack, hide the controls, add more wash jets, and add thicker and more adjustable racks.  Finally, I want to add a micro-hood with a smooth front and auto sensor for more accurate cooking and reheating.

Refrigerator PVD28BYNFS  $3199 (reg $4399)  

https://www.mannystv.com/refrigeration/french-door/french-door-bottom-freezer-refrigerators/ge-profile/PVD28HYYFS

Range PHS700AYFS $1099 (reg $1799)  

https://www.mannystv.com/cooking/ranges/slide-in-electric-range/ge-profile/PHS700AYFS

Dishwasher PDT755SYVFS $899 (reg $1299) 

https://www.mannystv.com/kitchen-cleanup/dishwashers/built-in-dishwasher/ge-profile/PDT755SYVFS

Micro-hood PVM9005SJSS  $399 (reg $719) 

https://www.mannystv.com/cooking/microwaves/over-the-range-microwave/ge-profile/PVM9005SJSs

Total for this four piece GE Profile suite:  $5596.

As a bonus, buying all four pieces will activate a $400 rebate from GE.

As a second bonus, buying from Manny's (as opposed to a Big Box store) will qualify you for an additional $500 rebate!  Think of this as a sort of thank you for buying from a local retailer.

After rebates, the final cost to you would drop to $4696.

I use these two kitchens as examples.  Almost everyone winds up buying a unique combination of appliances; similar discounts are available on other pieces as well.

Not in the market for a full suite? Not a problem.

Here's an LG washer/electric dryer pair for $549 each (a savings of $300 apiece!)

https://www.mannystv.com/laundry/washers/high-efficiency-top-load-washer/lg/WT6105CW

https://www.mannystv.com/laundry/top-load-matching/top-load-matching-electric-dryer/lg/DLE6100W

Or, how about an LG free-standing (controls in rear) electric induction range for $1149 instead of the regular price of $1749:

https://www.mannystv.com/cooking/ranges/slide-in-electric-range/lg/LRIN6323YE

We will be offering deferred-interest-until-2028 financing, the support of a full service department, extended warranty options to increase your peace of mind regarding repairs, and exclusive rebates ... as well as our sales associates' knowledge and expertise that comes with decades of experience.

I invite you to reach out to any of our stores (thirteen as of this writing - contact info on our front page), or to stop in and visit our well-stocked showrooms.  Bring in your questions - even the difficult ones!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

Looking for a Dishwasher? Here's What You Should Know

I've noticed that dishwasher sales tend to spike toward the end of the calendar year.  

When I first realized this I was frankly a bit surprised, as dishwashers tend to break year-round, and - like laundry products - people usually replace the dishwasher when it breaks and seldom before.  Thinking about this for a bit however, the business spike makes sense.  November and December are family holiday months, so range sales (I'll cover that next week) and kitchen cleanup, aka dishwashers, should naturally increase.

Bosch SHP65DM5N

So, let's say you're in the market to replace your dishwasher.  Or, maybe you have an older house and you've decided it's time to add a dishwasher, taking advantage of the water and energy savings a modern unit offers (not to mention the convenience!)  What should you be looking for?

First of all, dishwashers vary more than other categories in terms of price.  A basic model, available at times at the $349-$399 level, will actually do a decent job cleaning your dishes, and will do so with minimal water and energy usage (D.O.E. mandates for energy effciency and water usage are very strict - I covered that in the blogs immediately below this one).  Simply put, any dishwasher today uses less water than you'll consume after two minutes or less handwashing!

GE GDF535PRWW

Your basic model will have a plastic tub, two basic racks minus some of the convenience loading features that are available on pricier models, and will be relatively loud (you pay for quiet as you work your way up the "food chain".)  

Moving up, dishwashers become steadily quieter.  Racks become thicker and more durable. You begin to pick up extra features such as an internal water heater to help dissolve the grease and oils on your plates.  The upper rack becomes adjustable up and down.  The interior door will upgrade to a stainless finish to help resist water mineral stains.

Mid-level dishwashers usually provide a third rack, useful for serving ladles, lids, and odd shaped items such as grill tongs.  Again, the machines keep getting quieter. Db (decibel) ratings on the mid- level, $550-$700  price range dip into the mid 40's (we consider anything under 50db to be "quiet").  The tubs become all stainless as opposed to the "hybrid", stainless-door-plastic-interior models of the preceding paragraph.  Sanitizing rinses, and pro or heavy soil cycles become available as options (useful for pots and pans, but beware - these cycles often exceed three hours, albeit very efficiently!).

Bosch SHX78C5UC

At the upper level (think of a Kitchenaid or Bosch) the machines become virtually silent.  Racks are thicker and roll out more easily. Extra convenience features such as a shorter full-cleaning cycle, or a top-rack-only cycle for small loads, become available. You can even find cycles that increase the drying heat, or utilize a better filter for cleaner reuse of the dishwater.  Expect to pay $800 to $1300 for a model in this category, depending on the extra features you desire.

A few points to be aware of:

• With the exception of specialty application units, all dishwashers are nominally the same size.  A few models will have a bit more "wiggle room" height-wise than others, which can be useful if the floor in front of the unit was raised up during a renovation.
• Interior tubs have become roomier over the years, thanks to improvements in technology.
• Cycle times are longer than they were a generation ago!  Normal cycle times can exceed two hours, while a short cycle is approximately one hour.  This is simply the trade-off for drastically reduced water and energy usage.
• Life expectancy is about 8-11 years.  I do want to caution however:  The "bell curve" for longevity is very wide!  You might get 15 or 20 years, or even more.  Sadly, you might experience a problem after just a couple of years.  Spending more for a "better" machine will increase the possibility of a longer healthy life, but manufacturers don't "guarantee" anything beyond the standard one year. (NOTE!  We do offer extended warranty protection on 99% of our appliances; ask a sales associate for details.)
• Units are available with controls on top and a "towel bar" handle, a traditional looking design with controls in the front, or with top controls and a "pocket handle".  The pocket handle is useful if you want to purchase a particular brand, but don't want the handle to clash with your other appliances.

I do want to touch on a few of  the "specialty" sizes that are out there.

GE portable dw GPT225SGLWW

Yes, portable dishwashers are still available!! Useful if your kitchen wasn't designed for a built-in, but you still want the convenience and energy savings a modern unit provides.

• 18" dishwashers are also available.  These are normally a little shorter (32.5" vs. 34"), and are a great solution for ADA compatible kitchens, smaller, in-law type setups, or older kitchens with "raised up" floors (often as a result of a former remodel.)
• A New Zealand company (Fisher & Paykel) makes a "dish drawer".  A double-drawer model will fill a standard US dishwasher space, and provides the ability to do two discrete loads at one time.  The single drawer model can also be a lifesaver in some unique kitchen setups.
• A handful of "panel ready" models are still avilable, if you want to blend the dishwasher into your cabinetry.  This look isn't as popular as it once was, but most brands offer one or two models that are designed specificall to accommodate a cabinet panel.

One last note:   We can deliver these units to you for a nominal fee, which always include removal of your old - disconnected!- unit.  Our delivery crews do not perform the installation of these units.  We do provide professional installation, using properly qualified third party installers, for a reasonable fee.  Check with your local Manny's for details and logistics.

I hope this helps if you are in the market for a new dishwasher.  If you've any questions, I encourage you to reach out to the sales pros at any of our thirteen showrooms (addresses and phone numbers on the front page of our site.)

How Can I Save Energy in My Kitchen?

In my last post I gave an overview of energy efficiency in your kitchen appliances from a historical perspective.   The "origin story" of efficiency consciousness may or may not have been interesting to you - I hope it was! -, but I'd like to talk about some specific ways you can make sure the appliances you have in your home in 2026 run as inexpensively as possible.

Let's start with your refrigerator, easily the biggest swallower of your hard-earned electric dollars!    

Refrigerators, as I have mentioned before,  have been the focus of efficiency mandates since the 1980s, and even inexpensive refrigerators will save you hundreds of dollars vs. their ancestors.  A decent portion of these units also qualify for EnergyStar certification, which means they exceed an already very strict mandate by an additional 10%.

(by the way, do not confuse EnergyStar with the EnergyGuide you see on all fridges, washers, and dishwashers!  The EnergyGuide was implemented to help you see the difference in energy usage between models.  EnergyStar highlights models that exceed standard by a given amount (which varies from appliance to appliance.)

How can you make sure the fridge in your kitchen is operating at peak efficiency?  Take a look at the suggestions below:

• Check the thermostat settings on your fridge:  Ideally, the refrigerator (or "fresh food") section should be set at 37F, while the freezer is best at 0F.  These temperatures combine efficiency with food preservation, and almost all new models come out of the box pre-set at these temps.
• Keep your refrigerator and freezer at least 3/4 full.  The more "air" being cooled, the harder the compressor has to work.
• Make sure the vents in the back of the compartments are free of obstruction.
• If accessible, clean the condenser coils in the back of the fridge.  This is especially important if you, like myself, have one or more pets in the house. 
  
  

This link from Nopec, a midwestern untiity conglomerate, adds a few more suggestions:

https://www.nopec.org/residents/energy-tips/refrigerator

Clothes washers, like refrigerators, have been the focus of many energy mandates in recent decades.  You can scroll down to my last blog for more specifics, but you can expect your modern washer to use about 50% less water and energy, while washing a larger - in some cases substantially - batch of your clothes.

Some suggestions to both save energy, while at the same time getting the most out of your washer:

• Use cold water cycles.  Today's detergents are formulated with enzymes that work great in cold water, and sometimes even better than in warm or hot temperatures.
•  For most loads, use the sensor option available on almost all washers, both top and front-loading.  For clothes that aren't heavily soiled, this will clean your clothes properly with a minimum of wear-and-tear on the fabric, as well as using the least amount of water.
• (If the clothes are more heavily soiled, then you would be better off using one of the "Heavy" or "Bulky" cycles, as more water and in some cases more aggressive agitation will do a more thorough cleaning job.  If the clothes aren't too soiled  however, these cycles are probably more washing and water than you actually need.)
• Follow manufacturers recommendations for loading size.  Normally, filling the tub more thatn 3/4 full can put too much stress on the suspension and motor, cutting into the washer's life expectancy.

Incidentally, don't think that more detergent is better!!  Not at all.  Two tablespoons of detergent for a normal sized full load is plenty, according to industry sources (and our service techs as well!).  More detergent doesn't get the clothes any cleaner, and can eventually leave a mildew film inside the machine.

I read several articles on this subject, but found this article by the New York Times to be the best (and with the fewest pop-ups!)

https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/advice-washing-machine-tips/

Dishwashers have also beome much more water stingy and energy efficient.  Today's machines use less than five gallons of water from start to finish (about the same amount of water you're using in your sink in 1 1/2 to 2 minutes!), while doing a better job at cleaning your dishes, and cleaning a larger load than in the past. (I know, I know, they all take longer.  Unfortunately there's nothing I can do about that except to suggest a shorter cycle.)

To maximize both cleaning and efficiency, consider the following suggestions:

• Take advantage of the "turbidity" sensor pretty much all dishwashers have been using for the last 20 plus years.  This feature measures the cloudiness in the water, and finishes the cycle when the water is sufficiently clear.  On average this feature will take less time and water than a normal cycle - and will occasionally use a little more water when necessary for proper cleaning.
• Unless the dishes are especially caked, use the short cycle.  Just as with clothes washers, the heavy duty cycles are designed for cleaning tougher, more soiled dishes. Generally this cycle is "overkill" on everyday loads.
• Don't pre-rinse!  As I said above, so much more water is used when washing or prewashing in the sink.  You still want to scrape loose debris from your plates and bowls, but let your machine do the dirty work.
• Finally, if your machine has one of the filter traps that modern units utilize, be sure to clean it monthly; this will help your dishes come out as clean as possible.

Again, the New York Times came through with a fantastic article on dishwasher performance.  Take a look below.

https://one5c.com/how-to-make-dishwasher-more-efficient-137208308

Finally, I want to touch on two appliance categories, Electric ranges and Electric dryers.  While the DOE doesn't provide EnergyGuides on these two categories (two many usage variables and consistent technology being the main reasons), a number of models have appeared in recent years displaying the EnergyStar logo and certification.

What makes a dryer E-star qualified?  

These dryers utilize moisture sensors to determine when your clothes are dry to eliminate overdrying (and increased energy use), and have lower heat "eco settings", which take longer but save energy. They also tend to shut the dryer off when the clothes are adequately dry, but not quite as dry as older models.

In addition, ductless dryers use even less energy.  Just be aware that, like dishwashers, cycle times on the dryer will be longer (30-45 minutes) compared to ducted dryers.

How about E-star qualified ranges? 

The EnergyStar certification is based on total overall electric usage of the range, including the electricity used during idle times (In case you weren't aware, all plugged appliances and electronics consume energy even when not in use.).  Also, making the step to an induction-powered range versus conventional radiant heat usually qualifies for the E-star rating (besides being sooooo much easier to cook on, and often qualifying for local electric company rebates!)

I hope this helps you at least a little bit.  If you've any questions, feel free to reach out to me (dlunden@hotmail.com), or by contacting any of the sales professionals at our thirteen locations (addresses and contact info on the front page of our site.)

Appliance Energy Efficiency - A Brief History

In 1973, the USA and other countries received a rude and unexpected awakening concerning their energy consumption.  In October of that year, largely as a result of the "Yom Kippur" war between Israel and Egypt, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (famously known to this day by its acronym "OPEC"), a loose confederation of oil-producing nations that had formed an uneasy alliance in an attempt to wrest control of global oil pricing from petroleum corporations, raised their prices 70%.  Two months later they increased the price of oil another 130%.  The result was the first so-called "Energy Crisis".

Some of the results:  Daylight Saving Time was extended through the winter because studies showed that adjusting the time period in order to catch the most sunshine decreased energy usage nationally by 1.5%.  Giant clocks over the entrances to local banks shut down.  Speed limits were lowered to 55mph on Interstate highways.  Long lines at filling stations became commonplace.  

The "crisis" passed, only to be followed by another similar event in 1979.  Overall, the price of crude oil increased tenfold (that's 1000%!) between 1973 and 1980.

I don't mean this to be a history lecture!  I mention the above because this period was probably the first time the public's consciousness became aware of energy consumption.

(By the way, the formation and squabbling of OPEC makes for an interesting read.  If interested, this article gives a great overview, and is the source of my data above.)

https://www.britannica.com/money/OPEC

The appliance industry has become gradually but steadily more efficient over time.  In 1979 the D.O.E.  (Department of Energy) began mandating minimum efficiency standards for appliances, and has steadily tightened those standards over the past decades.  Appliances that use compressors (refrigerators, air conditioners), dishwashers, and clothes washers are all rated by the DOE for energy efficiency.  This rating gives the consumer a simple and easy way to compare the efficiency of one appliance to another.  The EnergyStar program was introduced in 1992 in an effort to highlight the most efficient products in each category.

(Additionally, I don't want to ignore the "big picture" benefits!)

 Some of those benefits include: Reduction in the depletion of natural fuel sources, less dependence on "third parties" to keep our household and nation running, reduction in waste, cleaner air, just to name a few.

I'd also like to stress that ALL appliances are dramatically more efficient than their predecessors!

For examples: 

• An Energy Star-qualified refrigerator purchased today will use as little as half the energy of a comparable model manufactured in 1990.  
• An Energy Star clothes washer on the market today uses on average 10-20 gallons of water (depending on the chosen cycle) per wash load.  Older non-HE (high efficiency) washers used 30-45 gallons per load.  That's literally thousands of gallons saved per household per year! (And that doesn't account for the fact that today's washers hold, on average, 50% more clothes than their 1990s ancestors, so the real savings are even more dramatic!)
• An Energy Star-rated dishwasher uses 3-4 gallons of water per load, while pre-1994 models used 10-15 gallons.  Overall electric use has also declined dramatically (from 3 kW per load to 1.2 kW).  And, as with clothes washers, today's dishwashers have been "hollowed out" inside to allow the loading and cleaning of larger loads of dirty dishes.

With savings averaging hundreds of dollars per year per household, what's not to like about today's energy-conscious appliances??

Well, truth is, I do hear a few common complaints:

"Cycle times on clothes washers and dishwashers are longer!"  Yes, they are, and other than using a shorter cycle there really isn't much one can do about it.  It may not seem intuitive, but that longer cycle on your appliance is actually using a LOT less energy than its predecessors.  I would suggest finding solace in the fact that you are washing larger loads (especially in clothes washers), and that the reduction in your electric bill is significant.

"Today's appliances are more expensive!"  Not really, in terms of "real dollars".  As an example, in 1995 Manny's advertised an 18 cubic foot refrigerator, a top freezer with the old wire shelves, for $599. In 2026 dollars, that $599 translates into $1312.  That same refrigerator sells today in the $650-$800 range, and you could probably time your purchase to find a model at $599.

(my source for the inflation number above is the US Inflation Calculator:)   https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/inflation/1995?amount=599

Is the average purchase price of a refrigerator today more than $599?  Of course it is!  Larger, prettier, brighter, better-controlled refrigerators are commonplace, and one can spend as much as $2500 (or more) for a four-door counter-depth refrigerator with an ice-and-water dispenser.  Many of us are buying nicer, larger, and more stylish fridges today, as the kitchen has morphed from a utility area in older homes to a showcase in many modern homes.  I can show similar examples in other appliance categories, but I do want to try and dispel the idea that we're paying more today than yesterday - we really aren't!

"Today's appliances cost more to repair".  I think that's true to some extent.  Just as with automobiles, the changes in engineering over the decades have resulted in fewer parts that can be easily accessed and replaced by the average person.  Almost all appliances use some sort of circuit board technology, and yes, a board can be expensive to replace.  Is it sometimes cheaper to replace than repair?  On an appliance more than 6-7 years, the answer may well be "yes."  (I'll delve into this more in a future blog.)

Overall, try and take comfort in the fact that your next appliance purchase will be made on a unit that functions better, and uses (in many cases) dramatically less energy.

And ... oh yes, check with your local utility company!  Many offer rebate incentives on Energy Star appliances as an incentive to purchase a unit as eco-friendly as possible.  I wish all utility companies offered these incentives, but sadly programs do vary from state to state, and even from one provider to another.  There's no downside in checking, however!

As always, you can reach out to any of the sales professionals in our thirteen showrooms if you have any questions (locations and contact info are on the front page of our site).

Are You Considering Purchasing an Appliance Online??

If you're over 35 or so years old, I'm sure you remember going to Blockbuster on a Saturday night, browsing through aisles of videotapes, ultimately deciding which of one or more VHS tapes to bring home.  You might also remember the launch of Netflix (in 1997 - I looked it up), as the DVD format allowed them to create a business model in which you could order one or more discs and have them arrive in your home a couple of days later, which you then mailed back inside the included special envelope.

You're probably also aware that Blockbuster is now extinct, a victim of the VHS tape cartridge becoming as irrelevant as a Polaroid camera, and that Netflix had the foresight to reinvent itself as a leader in delivering streaming services (including original content) to your home through your smart TV. 

These are just two examples of how consumers' purchasing habits change with time.  Billions upon billions of dollars are now spent on purchases that are made completely online.  You can do your grocery shopping 100% online with your favorite local supermarket, or use one of the mega-retailers like Amazon or Walmart. One of my sons lives in Minnesota.  I've been able to order a gift certificate to his favorite restaurant without flying out to Minneapolis.  Who ever thought you would be able to purchase an automobile without ever leaving your living room?  Not me!

Major appliances can be a bit trickier to purchase online.  Customers often come into our store, open the door of a range and turn the burner knobs to get a sense of a particular appliance's feel, or open a refrigerator and gauge the durability of the door bins.  The ability to "touch and feel" an appliance that will be in your kitchen for the next decade (hopefully!) is often part of the buying process.

Yet, in 2025 approximately 87 billion dollars were spent on online-only appliance purchases!  Frankly, that number surprised me; I thought the number would be lower, but I found that dollar figure was consistent through multiple websites.  

Less surprising to me was the fact that over 62% of consumers research appliances online before going into a store to purchase.  Personally, I've learned when beginning to interact with a new customer to ask whether they had seen any particular product online that piqued their attention.  Most of the time, the answer is "yes".  At that point quite often my customer will then open their phone and show me a particular piece.  Researching different appliances online is a huge time saver for many people.  When I started selling major appliances in the mid 90's it was common to see a customer come into the store multiple times. The first visit might be to research alternatives and get a sense of price, often followed a few days later by a return visit to purchase.  Online research has replaced that initial visit for many consumers.  These customers have not only narrowed their search, but also have a good sense of what their planned purchase is going to cost.

Here at Manny's we recently upgraded our online page and ordering "platform".  We wanted to make it easier to find the information that is important to you.  We also made the actual purchase simpler, and have increased the security of the actual transaction. 

Whether you choose to make the actual purchase online or in one of our stores, we hope you'll find our site easier to navigate as you research.  

I'd like to offer a few suggestions to someone beginning that research process.  If you're not sure what you should be asking or looking for, here's where I suggest you start:

Refrigerators :  Know the space in your kitchen!!  Refrigerators vary in height, width, even depth.  It's important to know the width available in your kitchen, as well as the height of the cabinet over your refrigerator, and even the width of the doorways leading into your kitchen.  Sometimes we run into situations where a customer has confirmed the space available for their fridge, but we are unable to fit the unit through an in-between doorway.

In short, measure twice, even three times, and deliver once!

Ranges.  They are generally the same size (29 7/8", built for a standard 30" opening.)  Please realize that we are not allowed to disconnect or reconnect a gas line.  If your range is electric, you'll need to purchase a power cord that matches your dedicated electrical outlet.  If your range is gas, know that stoves come out of the box set for natural gas. If you have LP gas a different set of orifices must be used. This "conversion" should always be done by a professional!

Dishwashers:  Dishwasher deliveries do not include the installation of the unit.  Manny's does provide installation service, but an additional fee is involved (in this case if you do decide to order the unit through our website, a flesh-and-blood sales professional will reach out and discuss installation options with you.)  

Over-range microwaves:  As with dishwashers, delivery does not include the installation or taking down the existing microwave.  Again, we will contact you to discuss those options as well.

Air Conditioners:  Know your window size!!  Also, confirm the voltage of the outlet you plan on using before making the final purchase!

Laundry:  We will set up your new washer for you, provided you purchase a set of hot and cold fill hoses from us (manufacturers stopped including hoses in washers sometime around 2010).  Electric dryers, as with electric ranges, require the purchase of the appropriate power cord.  And again, we do not connect or disconnect gas appliances; that applies to a gas dryer as well.

(Also, realize that today's laundry products are usually larger in capacity than even a generation ago.  Be aware of this and (please!) double-check the depth of the location you plan on placing your laundry units.  Front-loading washers (and their matching dryers) are generally 3-5" deeper than top-loading style units, so double-checking your depth is even more critical!)

So whether you plan to sit on your couch or in front of your computer and take advantage of the convenience online purchasing offers, or if you are one of those 62.7% of consumers who use the Internet as a research tool prior to heading out to your nearest Manny's, we will keep doing our best to make this process as convenient as possible.  

And, as always, if you are unable to find answers to your questions online, we encourage you to reach out to any of the sales pros at any of our thirteen showrooms.  We're always ready and happy to help you out!

Garage ready freezers?? Heat pump dryers?? What are these all about??

On March 11, 2020 a customer of mine ordered a small GE chest freezer.  We did not have the unit in stock, so I ordered the freezer from GE directly.  I told the customer it would take 5-7 days, and he was satisfied with that.

The arrival of the freezer did not exactly go according to plan. On March 13, 2020, as you might remember (or maybe you're trying hard NOT to remember!) the country effectively shut down.   My customer received his freezer on November 29. He was one of the lucky ones. This wasn't atypical at the time; it took literally a couple of years for the industry's freezer inventory to catch up.

No, I don't miss those two years between 2020 and 2022 at all!

I had several consecutive inquiries about purchasing freezers this weekend, which is what prompted me to remember the above story.  As I don't believe I've ever blogged about freezers, I decided it was time.

Freezers normally come in two styles, upright and chest.  As a general rule, chest freezers are better for long-term storage, while uprights are more convenient for day-to-day use.

Let's start with chest freezers:  They come in a large variety of sizes,  anywhere from 3.5 cubic feet in volume (roughly the size of a large dorm refrigerator) to 22 cubic feet (slightly over six feet wide), with lots of choices in between.

Chest freezers are almost always manual defrost.  Manual defrosting is actually better for the long-term shelf life of your food than automatic defrosting, as that slight defrosting of a freezer three times a day can cut into the extreme shelf life (say, over 9-12 months) of your food.   Of course, this does mean that with a manual defrost freezer you'll have deal with the inconvenience to emptying its contents occasionally and thawing the unit out,  usually once every 12-18 months.  On the other hand, chest freezers tend to be less expensive than the more popular uprights.

Upright freezers outsell chest freezers approximately four to one nowadays.  Our customers seem to prefer the convenience of both easier access to their food and the automatic defrost feature.  Sizes range from 4.3 cubic feet (about the size of a dishwasher) up to 22 cubic feet (about six feet tall, two feet nine inches wide).  Smaller uprights will still be manual defrosting like chest freezers, but beginning with the 13 cubic foot size and up auto-defrost becomes the norm.

Size and style are by far the most important considerations when it comes to purchasing a freezer.  I find most people  prefer the auto-defrost models if available.  One other noteworthy feature to be consider would be whether you need a  "garage ready" unit.

What is "garage ready", you ask?  

Units with this feature can still maintain the zero degree temperature necesary to properly freeze food even when the outside temperature drops as low as zero (as opposed to traditional compressors, that have a hard time controlling temperature when the ambient temperature drops below 50 degrees.) They also have sturdier compressors that are built to not burn out from overuse in hotter garages, and will operate properly in more extreme temps, say 110-115 degrees.  If you plan on placing the freezer in an unattached garage, you might want to consider this option.

 

Finally, we've recently seen the introduction of "convertible" uprights, meaning that you have the option of using the appliance as either a freezer or a stand-alone refrigerator.  As "refrigerator only" models have always been scarce in the appliance industry, having an option to acquire more fridge storage has an appeal to some of our customers.

"Should I wait for a sale?"  I've found that freezers generally don't fluctuate much in price from month to month.  Even during the "louder" promotional periods (Black Friday or July 4 for example), freezer prices tend to stay the same.  In other words, there really isn't any reason to delay a freezer purchase in order to wait for a discount - buy the freezer when the time is right for you!

On an entirely unrelated subject, I've also been getting a lot of questions about heat pump, or ventless dryers.   Traditionally ductless dryers were common only in certain applications (8th floor of a Boston high rise, for example) where carving a four inch diameter hole in a wall simply isn't feasible.  With concerns about energy usage more and more in the public's consciousness, we've been receiving an uptick in questions about ductless, heat pump operated, dryers.

GE's all-in-one laundry unit

"Just how does a heat pump dryer operate?"  I refer you to this informative link on LG's website.

https://www.lg.com/us/home-electrification/heat-pump?srsltid=AfmBOoqewVnwQekGwKLBnOBh7l_JkiqfDFialZrEwCAX4BJ_pBbCOzP0

All sounds great, right?  Well... there a few drawbacks you should be aware of when making your purchase decision:

• drying times will take significantly (45-60 minutes) longer.  (see exception below.)
• you will pay a few hundred dollars more for these dryers
• because of the newness and sophistication of the technology, repairs tend to be more expensive.

In the past few years GE and LG have introduced a newer style, full size front-loading "all in one" unit.  These units have addressed the drying time issue for the most part, and also have the advantage of being able to operate on a standard household plug (as opposed to a dedicated 40 amp oversized outlet.), These units do cost more (in the $2000 range) as opposed to more traditional pairs ($1200-$1500 for a typical top-loading set, $1500-$1800 for a front-loading washer pair.)

While ventless dryer sales are still a small percentage of the laundry market, the industry does expect this segment of the market to grow.  More and more consumers are paying attention to energy output and sustainability.  In addtion, many utility companies are offering rebates on heat pump dryers, which should help to address the difference in price.

As always, feel free to reach out to any of the sales professionals if you have any questions on the above.  Addresses and phone numbers for all thirteen Manny's showrooms can be found on the front page of our website