Taking Care of Your New (or older) Appliance

Two or three times a year an icon will shine on my Prius's dashboard, reminding me that it's time to have the engine's oil changed.  Whereas once upon a time we were told to change our oil every 3,000 miles or so, today's engines wait until the oil needs to be changed, and then notifies you.  Pretty cool, yes?

As we work our way through the Twenty-First century (or the beginning of the Third Millenium if you have a wider perspective) so many recent technological breakthroughs are now taken for granted, without the "Wow!" factor they probably deserve.  Online shopping, Zoom meetings, streaming videos, texting vs. calling, ete.; we all now live in a very tech-assisted world.

So if my car can tell me when it's time to change the oil, why can't our appliances provide similar services?

Actually, we are starting to scratch the surface in a few instances. 

For example, some dryers will notify you when the lint filter is clogged (I'll come back to the lint filter in a moment.) French Door and side-by-side refrigerators include a consumable water filter and turn on a panel light when it's time to change the water filter. (Truth be told, that light isn't as tech-oriented as my car's oil change icon - it's usually just a timer!)  Stoves and other appliances sometimes have Bluetooth capability which can tell you, for example, that your clothes are done washing or your oven is preheated.  And while we haven't reached the point where a computer or robot can put the lasagna in the oven, or move your clothes from washer to dryer, at least we can be told when it's time to get off the couch, put our phone down, and attend to our chore!

So, until the day when our appliances can completely take over these day-to-day necessary chores such as cooking and cleaning, we still have to occasionally attend to their care and maintenance ourselves.

I'm going to share some helpful hints on some of the more important things you can do to get the most out of your appliances.

First:  Cleaning your dishwasher trap.

(Full disclosure:  This chore is first on the list at my wife's, umm, "suggestion".)

The most important thing here is to actually clean the trap!! Older American dishwashers used what was essentially a mini-disposal to chop, grind, and flush out debris.  Today almost all dishwashers utilize a filter trap system which European-based models have used for decades.

It's really not that difficult:  It just takes a couple of minutes to perform this; I'll even save you the Google search:

Clean the filter under warm water to remove loose particles. If it's stained or has stuck-on debris, you can use mild dish soap and a brush or sponge to gently scrub the mesh filter for a thorough clean. This helps remove stubborn food particles and can even help get rid of hard water stains. 

As to the question "how often?", once every month is reccommended.  If the dishes start to feel gritty after washing, you may want to check and clean the filter sooner.  Personally, we clean ours at least twice a month.

Second:  Your dryer vent.

Talk to a fireman (or fireperson) and ask them about fires started by dirty lint filters.  Each person in this profession I've spoken with has a story, usually not a happy story, about house fires that can be traced back to a dirty, clogged, lint filter.

Please realize!  Lint is flammable! 

How often should you change your vent hose?  It depends.  At home my tube stretches out about 13' from dryer to the outside with a slow, gradual downward slope.  I change this hose completely every other year.  For a more common setup, one in which the tube is only a few feet long, you don't have to replace as often.

You should still clean your setup regularly; twice a year should be sufficient.  As to the "how to", I'll refer to Bob Vila's advice:

Here's the simple answer, courtesy of BobVila.com:

1. Unplug the dryer.
2. Detach the dryer vent hose from the wall.
3. Remove and clean the hose and vent cover.
4. Reattach the hose and clean the exterior vent.

Sounds simple, and pretty obvious, doesn't it?    For more elaborate instructions, I'm including this link:

https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-dryer-vent/

One more thought regarding your dryer screen:  Do you use dryer sheets?  If so, they can leave a film which over time can restrict air flow.  Washing your filter occasionally with mild soap is an excellent preventive measure!  Also, speaking of dryer sheets, did you know you shouldn't use them when drying towels?  Prolonged use will reduce absorbency, as that film can coat the towel's surface.

Finally, I'll try to address the oft-asked question "David, my washer smells.  What can I do?".

The best solution to addressing smells that sometime (but less often  in the last decade or two) show up is to prevent that smell from originating!  Reduce your detergent volume - today's washers use half the water they did a generation a go, so cut your chemicals in half as well.  Leave the washer tub open when not in use.  While this is a "must" in front-load machines, I still leave the top of my top-loading Speed Queen open.

Now, I do realize that if your washer already has that moldy odor, then the above advice is akin to the cliche' "Shutting the barn door after the cows got out", or something like that.   Fortunately, there are ways to address this.  I'm going to refer to Mr. Appliance below; he offers a straightforward and useful procedure:

https://www.mrappliance.com/blog/2018/september/why-does-my-washing-machine-smell-bad-/#:~:text=For%20both%20top%2Dload%20and,washer%E2%80%9D%20cycle%20if%20it's%20available.

Just a final thought:  Many use-and-care manuals offer care-and-maintenance suggestions as well as troubleshooting ideas for various common problems.  Lost or thrown away your manual?  No problem.  Hop on Manny's website and type the model number of your appliance in the search box located at the top right corner of our front page  (or go onto the manufacturer's site if it's an older model and do the same.)  Almost all the product descriptions on our site include links to manuals, dimensions (more about that in a future blog!), EnergyGuides, etc.

I hope these suggestions help at least a few people.  If you have any questions about this or any other appliance-related issue feel free to reach out to the sales pros at any of our twelve locations!

The Massachusetts Tax Holiday is Almost Upon Us!!

Yes, that's right!  It seems impossible, but it's already been a year since our state's last tax free weekend.

Retailers like us all over the state are getting ready for the waves of customers looking to save the state's 6.25% sales tax.  Here at Manny's we're stocking extra merchandise, increasing staff, even ordering extra printer paper and ink cartridges!

(And  - once again - my apologies to my readers outside the Bay State - this article won't be of any interest to you.)

In my last blog I explained the tried-and-true system we've developed to (legally!) prewrite a sales quote before the crazy weekend of the 9th and 10th (I've reprinted the procedure at the bottom of this entry.)  We strongly encourage you to come in and pre-shop so you can avoid the crowds and the anticipated waiting time that always happens on the tax holiday.

To give you a sense of how much you can save, I'd like to show a few examples of what we can offer you if you shop in the next two plus weeks.  By combining discounts we've received from the manufacturers, plus the tax savings, we can offer you some amazing deals!

Whirlpool top-load washer 

For example, take a look at this Whirlpool top-loading washer with a removable agitator!  You can use the traditional auger-type agitator for your normal loads, but can also take it out to allow more space for your bulky comforters and blankets to spread out and wash more effectively.  

The price for this washer, which normally retails for $579 on sale, is currently an amazing $399!! 

Just to give you a comparison: if someone calls our store and asks "How much is our cheapest washer?", the answer any other time of year is "Well, washers these days begin at $479-$499."  We haven't been able to sell a good washer for this low a price since the '80s!

Here's another question I often field:  "Dave, what's the best washer out there?"  For most categories (ranges, refrigerators, for example) I really can't give you a simple answer.  But when it comes to washers, the answer is simple:  Speed Queen.

Speed Queen 3.2 cu ft. washer

Normally on sale for $1299 (regular price $1449), we're offering this washer right now for $1099!!  That's a savings of $200 (plus the $68.75 you'll save on sales tax.)

I know, I know... this is not the least expensive washer, not at all. (Actually, Speed Queen is my most expensive top load washer line!)

However, these washers offer the shortest cycle times in the industry (32 minutes on a normal wash, vs. the typical 55-80 minutes found in today's units), strong washing performance, the ability to choose your water level (or use the water sensor found on all of today's washers), and- best of all- a five year warranty on ALL PARTS AND LABOR!  I've owned a set since 2019, and I can attest that they perform as promised.  

If this machine fits your budget, it is well worth the investment!

(In the market for a pair?  Consider the matching Speed Queen electric or gas dryer model # DR5003WE or DR5003WG with comparable savings)

I'll give one more example, this time a great deal on a gas range:  The GE GGF600AVSS.

This stainless steel range offers a giant oven, convection cooking, a removable griddle, air fry, and a removable oven bottom for easier cleanup.  Regularly $1199, we're offering this excellent stove for $799 (plus the $50 tax savings).  

(An electric version of this stove is available as well with comparable savings.)

The above are just a few examples of the savings available to you right now! Please reach out and speak to any of the sales professionals in our twelve showrooms; they will be happy to answer any specific questions you have on your purchase.

Finally, I'd like to share two last thoughts:

1) Please be patient with us!  We'll do the best we can to get your purchase to you in a timely manner, but delays and temporary stock-outs always occur after the tax holiday due to the huge influx of business.

2) If possible, try to come in before the weekend. That way we can have more time to answer your questions and help you pick out the appliances that are "right" for your situation,

With that said, I'm looking forward to seeing many of you in the next couple of weeks!!

                                                 ***

(This is the procedure we use to "pre-write" your sale I described in my last blog:)

1. You come in ahead of time and speak with one of our experienced salespeople, so we can assist you in picking out your appliances.
2. We put together on paper a "quote", outlining your purchase.
3. You provide a method of payment (usually a debit or credit card, or a post-dated check.)  We'll put this payment info securely and safely aside.
4. On Saturday the 9th  Manny's dedicated staff gets up early - very early! - and drives to work, robust cup of black coffee in our hands, and begin processing these payments.  

One important stipulation to note: The purchase must be processed and paid in full August 9-10. (That means no deposits or layaways.  Sorry -- State rules!)   

                                         ***

Attention Massachusetts Shoppers : The Tax-Free Weekend Is Coming!!

That's right; that time of the year is upon us.  If you live or shop in Massachusetts, you'll be able to save the 6.25% sales tax on any item under $2500 (which includes about 99% of our appliances) this August 9 and 10.  

From the crowds that descended on us in past tax holidays, we expect business that weekend and the days leading up to Aug 9-10 (see "how to preshop" below!) to be bigger than on "Black Friday."

One thing we have learned from the excitement and increased business the tax holiday creates:  

Nobody wants to pay sales tax!!

But what if you don't live in the Bay State?  

Sorry, but sadly the tax savings (and this blog) are really only going to be interesting to Massachusetts customers!  (Sorry VT, NH, CT, RI shoppers.)

(Of course, I'm sure our customers who live up in the Granite State couldn't care less about a sales tax holiday, right?)

If you do live in one of the great states of Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Vermont this blog is going to be of little help to you (unless you are willing to drive to your nearest Massachusetts Manny's, in which you will be able to save our sales tax as long as you can pick up the merchandise.  If we deliver than we have to charge you your state's sales tax.)

Now if you do reside in the Bay State, there's a good chance you are already aware of our state's annual no-sales-tax weekend, this year occuring on August 9th and 10th!

Massachusetts is one of 19 states that implemented a sales tax holiday in recent years.  The original intent was to help consumers with their back to school purchases.  It also has the added benefit of helping to generate business at what is normally a slow time of year for some businesses. 

(In case you were wondering, the link below shows the specifics of the tax holidays throughout the country:)

https://taxadmin.org/2025-sales-tax-holidays/

If you look at the list, you will see what makes the Massachusetts sales tax holiday different from other states -- It's the dollar cap!! 

In fact, the only other state that comes close to our $2500 limit is Texas - and Mass. is still more aggressive.  (Besides, you don't really want to drive to Texas to buy an appliance, do you?)

In Massachusetts, you can save the entire 6.25% sales tax on any purchase up to $2500! (Do note - over $2500, and you pay the full tax.)

One very important point to remember: The cap is $2500 per product, NOT on the entire purchase.  So, go ahead and add a new dryer to your washer, or upgrade your kitchen while saving a couple of hundred dollars! 

As far as our neighboring states are concerned, only Connecticut has any sort of program, and it is far more restrictive:  Clothing and shoes under $100 per item are tax-exempt from the state sales tax of 6.35%.

The result (perhaps unintended) of the unusually high limit in Mass. is that sales in certain businesses (such as the household appliance category) dramatically spike!  Most, but not all, of our products fall neatly into that under-$2500 category.  As a result, many customers time their appliance purchases to take advantage of the extra savings by not paying the sales tax (plus, let's be honest... who doesn't want to find a way to pay less tax, yes?)

Have you ever shopped in a mall or big box store on a tax holiday weekend?  If you have, the huge crowds of shoppers, and getting the attention of a salesperson, very challenging.  Maybe the crowds even discouraged you from venturing out. (Personally, I haven't had the pleasure of shopping the tax holiday - I've always been on the other end, doing my best to at least attempt to take care of our customers.  This weekend can be stressful for employees as well as customers!)

But David, do I have to fight the crowds? you may ask.  Can I come in ahead of time? 

The answer is a resounding "Yes you can!!"

How to preshop:

We have developed a perfectly legal and acceptable plan over the years to make your shopping experience easier. We strongly encourage you to consider coming in early!

Come in to any of our twelve stores between now and Friday August 8th.  We expect to be busy, but not overwhelmed.  We will work with you and assist you with your purchase. 

Our newest location in Pittsfield MA)

Whether it's a basic washer for an apartment you're renting, a new range to replace the old coil top unit you've been nursing along, all the way up to putting together a matching appliance suite for a remodel or kitchen upgrade, we can help!

Here's the procedure we've developed:

1. You come in ahead of time and speak with one of our experienced salespeople, so we can assist you in picking out your appliances.
2. We put together on paper a "quote", outlining your purchase.
3. On the 9th and 10th Manny's dedicated staff gets up early - very early! - and drives to work, robust cup of black coffee in hand, and begins processing these payments.  

One important stipulation to note: Your purchase must be paid in full on August 10-11. (That means no deposits or layaways.  Sorry -- state rules!)   

Now, we ask that you please keep the two following thoughts in mind:  

1. This tidal wave of business always stresses inventory levels.  There will be temporary stockouts - if past years are a reliable indication, expect 20-30% of items to be -temporarily- on backorder.  We just don't know which pieces will be affected yet.
2. Our delivery and warehouse teams will be working their tails off, but there are only so many deliveries we can perform each day. Delivery turnaround is always longer the first few weeks after the tax holiday.

So, as in past years, please be patient with us!  We will do our best to get your tax-free appliances to you as quickly as possible.

If you have any questions regarding any of the above, you can always reach out to any of our staff at our twelve locations (Don't forget we are now open in Pittsfield!! Store numbers and addresses can be found on our web page just to the left of the blog link.

And finally...Happy Shopping!!

How much can I really save during the 4th of July sales?

From time to time, when I explain to a customer how much he or she can save during aggressive promotional periods like our current Independence Day event, I get the cynical response "Come on.  Everything's always on sale, right?"

Well, to an extent that's true.  In our current ultra-competitive business environments, manufacturers as well as retailers like Manny's are always seeking ways to get your attention, and at any moment there are going to be discounts and promos on some items.  

However, in recent years more and more the appliance industry has bunched its best promos for certain periods.  Black Friday (let's call it "Black November", as the post-Thanksgiving and holiday deals seem to begin the first week of November these days!) has always been considered the time period where everyone rolls out their best deals.  You'll also see similar, sharper than normal discounts around President's Day, and in the period between Memorial Day and Independence Day.

That means that for the next couple of weeks, it is a very good time to make appliance purchases.  In fact, I've seen more than one "Big Box" store refer to the deals this time of year as "Black Friday in June."

So, yes, absolutely, you can save some of your hard-earned cash by purchasing now.

How much can you save?

In prior blogs, I've guided you through the purchase of a kitchen package, showing how you can save as much as a thousand dollars or more off of the "regular sale" prices. (For an example, at the bottom of this blog I included the link for my  Black Friday blog from last November.) Current promos are very similar!) In addition, I've proudly screamed for your attention on package rebates that in many cases are only for independent retailers like Manny's.  Call these our "Thank you for buying local" rebates.  With these incentives, in many cases you will receive $200 back for buying just two matching appliances, $400 for buying three, and $600 for buying four... and these rebates are above and beyond any sales and discounts we offer you at the time of purchase.  Again, these rebates are usually NOT available in Home Depot, Lowes, online, etc.  

Sounds great, yes?  I think so!

But let's suppose that you don't want to replace a whole kitchen's worth of appliances.  Can we still save you money?  

The answer is a resounding "YES"!  Let me give you a few examples:

In the market for a new washer?

Whirlpool WTW5057LW

This is a Whirlpool top-loading washer with a huge 4.7 cubic foot capacity tub.  On this model however, you have the added benefit of being able to remove the agitator, allowing your comforters and bulky items more space to spread out and get cleaner.  Add to that quiet operation and a full set of cycles and features, and this becomes one of our best selling models.  Your price through July 9: not the regular price of $849, but a fantastic $699!  This washer is on most of our showrooms, and we have plenty in stock.

Need a new range ? 

GE GRF600SAVSS

How about this GE electric range with air-fry, a giant interior oven, and a unique "pull-out" oven bottom to make cleaning so much easier.  The stovetop includes two high output burners for rapid boiling, as well as a simmer burner to hold that sauce without scorching or burning.  At $729, this range is a great value as well as a great perfomer.

How about a new refrigerator?

WRT318FZDW 

I always like to talk about the deals we have on the bigger, "fancier" models, but what if you just want something more basic and simple?  This 18 cubic foot Whirlpool top-freezer, with gallon storage, a good sized freezer, and LED lighting inside the fridge, can be yours for just $679 right now, instead of the regular price of $899.  This US built, US owned fridge fits into a 30" space, so it's great for smaller kitchens or as a second unit for your garage or basement.

These are just a sampling of what's available right now. So if you're in the market for a new appliance (or two, or even a whole kitchen!) Check us out and talk to the experienced sales professionals you can find in any of our twelve showrooms.  You'll find we will listen to your wants and needs, guide you through any pitfalls (did you check the width of your doorways leading into your kitchen of basement?, for example.) and help you get a brand new appliance delivered to you in a timely, efficient manner.

We look forward to working with you.  In the meantime, have a happy Fourth of July!

*If you'd like to see how we can put together a full kitchen for you, take a look at my blog from 11-25 (accessible from our front page.) As I said above, we can put together very similar packages for you right now during the Independence Day promo as well!

Energy Star Appliances: What does that mean? How much do I really save?

Both are great questions, and are questions that we receive on our sales floors every day.  Basically,  Energy Star label is granted to appliance models that exceed the current DOE energy use standard (which in many cases is much stricter than in the past) by a given percentage.  This percentage varies by appliance type, and is constantly revised (tightened) to allow for advances in energy saving technology.

Just how did the idea for a government program to encourage energy efficiency in appliances come about?  Let me give you a quick history of the program.

Depending on your age, you may have lived through the OPEC oil embargo and energy crisis of 1973-74.  I was a child then, but still remember  the panic and shock at sudden rises in gas and fuel costs, the long gas lines, and the fear that we may not be able to fuel our eight-cylinder, gas-guzzling cars or purchase oil to heat our homes in the future.  This particular crisis did pass (it returned in 1979, only to pass again), but it left behind a concern for the first time about the amount of electricity appliances and other durables used.

In 1975, legislation was passed to create a program which came to be called Energy Star.  It's purpose was to set minimum standards for electricity and fuel efficiency, to set future guidelines and deadlines to manufacturers to save energy, and also to incent (rebate) consumers to purchase these more efficent appliances.

**For a fuller explanation, I include a link at the end of this blog.

Energy Star didn't just target appliances, of course. 

Windows, heating and air conditioning units, auto and truck efficiency guidelines ... these are all also part of the plan to gradually but steadily reduce the amount of energy we use.  

Has the program been a success?  Absolutely!  A few months ago I wrote about some specific, "apple to apple" comparisons of clothes washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators (if you're interested, click back one page and then click on my 1-6-25 entry). Check it out; the savings is always significant. In some cases, especially when comparing older products, the savings you'll see on your electric bill can be amazing!

EnergyGuide for an Electrolux ELTE7600 wash tower

So how much do you save purchasing an Energy Star qualified appliance vs. non - Estar?   Since the Energy Star program has made ALL appliances more efficient, the difference between current models might not be as dramatic.  Frequently however, utility companies offer incentives in the form of rebates on qualifying models.  These rebates, plus the savings to your electric bill, can really add up!

Utility companies do update their rebate incentives periodically, and different utility companies (for example, cities and towns that have a municipally owned electric provider) will have a different program than the larger providers.  For specifics on current programs, you can check your electric companies' webpage, or you can talk with any of the sales professionals working in our twelve locations.

Now, let's suppose you are in the market for, let's say, a new refrigerator or washer, and you want to know which current models qualify for Energy Star status.  The link below will bring you to the current eligible models.  In some cases, you may notice that the DOE separates qualifying models into different tiers as well.

httsps://www.energystar.gov/producthttsps://www.energystar.gov/product

Remember, here at Manny's we can not only give you up to date information on energy efficiency, but we also provide guaranteed pricing, fast delivery, advice from experienced professionals, and service after the sale.  And don't forget - we often offer exclusive rebates not available at the Big Box stores!!

If you have any questions, you can reach out to any of the sales pros working at our twelve (Pittsfield is now open!) locations.

**If you're curious about the history of the Energy Star program, I found this link very informative:

https://www.google.com/search?q=HISTORY+OF+ENERGY+EFFICIENT+APPLIANCES&oq=HISTORY+OF+ENERGY+EFFICIENT+APPLIANCES&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRigAdIBCDk3MDNqMGo3qAIIsAIB8QW9hsyJVxRh0w&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

At the time of this writing (Wed. May 28), we have been experiencing a cooler than normal spring.  Personally, in my house we have our bedroom air conditioner installed, but still haven't needed to turn it on.  But!! - hot weather will be upon us anytime now, so I thought this would be a good time to discuss air conditioner selection.

Most people who come into our showroom have at least some sense of the amount of space they want cooled.   If you're not sure, the link below is one of many good sizing charts available online.

https://products.geappliances.com/appliance/gea-support-search-content?contentId=35138

NOTE!! These guidelines are meant to apply to a single room space!  

(If you are trying to cool multiple rooms or floors, the sizing gets trickier.Ideally, you should consider buying a separate air conditioner for each space in your home.  

For example, I have four units in the ranch that I own:  three small units for each bedroom, and one larger unit for the kitchen/dining room/living room.   Cold air doesn’t “travel” well; it naturally sinks as it moves away from the air conditioner.   If you have no choice but to use one large unit for multiple rooms, ceiling and stand-up fans help move the cold air into the farther rooms.  You want to keep the cool air moving!

Room air conditioners come in BTU sizes anywhere from 5000 BTU (ideal for a small bedroom with the door closed) up to 32000 BTU suitable for, say, waiting rooms or large office spaces.  Physical dimensions vary as well; generally the larger BTU models will of course be larger physcially.

We want to "size" your unit correctly - bigger is not necessarily better!! Air conditioners dehumidify at the same time that they're cooling, so oversized units actually can cool a room too quickly.  The result:  a room that can be cool but still feel "clammy".

Where is the unit going?

The most popular type of unit is the traditional window unit, which is designed to fit into a double-hung window with expandable flaps to fill the window space. 

(A word of caution here:  Window widths vary, as do the widths of air conditioners!  Knowing the width of the inside sill of your window will help us make sure the unit you select will actually fit.  

Other types of units include:

**Portable units: these can wheel around and duct hot air and humidity out of the room with a hose that is roughly the size of a dryer vent.   Hint: when using these, try and keep the body of the unit as close to the exhaust window or hole as possible.  The longer the exhaust duct extends, the less efficiently the performance. 

**Through-the-wall units: these can be mounted into “sleeves” built into a wall in a person’s home.  These are very common in condo and apartment complexes. 

**Window units with a “slide-out chassis”: these are usually larger BTU window models.  The slide-out feature allows for ease of window installation, and can also be adapted for through-the-wall installation.

 A word or two about these through the wall units, please!  They are very common in condominium or apartment complexes.  These units are designed to fit into a solid rectangular "sleeve" built into a wall; the sleeve itself is often already installed, and if not a sleeve can be purchased at a nominal charge.  These units exhaust, or "breathe", through the back.  Wall-sleeve units are usually built to last longer than a typical window unit.  They are also more expensive, so be forewarned!

Typical "wall sleeve"

And no, please don't try to shove a unit designed for a window into your sleeve in an effort to save money!  A normal window ac exhausts its heat through side vents; in a solid sleeve the unit can't exhaust properly, and will eventually overheat and malfunction (and in some cases void the original manufacturer's warranty).

What type outlet do I need? 

Nowadays most air conditioners up to 15,000 BTU can run on a standard 15 amp circuit (the type of plug you use for lamps, televisions, etc.)  Larger units require larger amp circuits.  Check the outlet type in your wall before buying!

Another note about the back breathing through-the-wall units:  Occasionally, especially in older developments, we run into a 230v outlet (today's units are much more efficient so the standard 115v outlet can accommodate more powerful units).  With that in mind, GE and Frigidaire both offer 10,000 and 12,000 BTU units that can be plugged into that 230v plug (the prongs in the outlet will be horizontal instead of vertical).  So, check your outlet!

115V ON LEFT, 230V ON RIGHT

How quiet will my unit be?

Even "quiet" air conditioners are going to make noise!  The pricier units (and "pricier" may only mean a few extra dollars) are usually quieter than so-called basic units, but no room air conditioner is going to be silent!   Also, take note that decibel ratings for air conditioners are not standardized (as with dishwashers, for example) so manufacturer claims for noise - or lack thereof - should be taken as guidelines only. 

                                           ***

As you can see, picking the right air conditioner for your specific situation isn't quite as easy as walking into a giant store and picking a box off a shelf.  Don't worry though; the process isn't overly complicated either!  Our sales professionals working hard in any of our twelve showrooms will be more than happy to assist you in your purchase.

Our new Pittsfield showroom is now open!!

Memorial Day will be upon us soon, and it has become a tradition in recent years for appliance manufacturers to acknowledge the holiday with discounts and price reductions - sometimes many hundred dollars - on a wide range of appliances.

The promos for Memorial Day (most of which begin on May 15) usually continue through July 4.  In many cases the deals and discounts are just as aggressive as they are on Black Friday; I've seen more than one retailer advertise this promo period as "Summer Black Friday".

To be honest, we're not the only retailer who benefits from these promos, and we're not the only retailer who will kick up their advertising in order to get your attention.  

So why buy from Manny's?   

We as an indepedent retailer, an appliance "specialist", can offer several advantages over our bigger competition.  I waxed a couple of months ago in a blog (2-8-25) detailing some of these advantages, such as product knowelge, experience, delivery speed, support, service after the sale, and extra rebates (more on that last benefit in a moment!)

(The 2-8-25 link can be found on our front page)

To demonstrate what we can do for you, let's go through a typical, nice-but-not-luxury, kitchen package:

Below is a Frigidaire Gallery kitchen suite, one of our most popular lines:

First, the refrigerator.   

This is usually where decisions on appliance suites start, as you'll find more selection, variety, and sizes available than any other product.  Also, while not everyone comes into our store committed to "branding", (keeping every appliance the same line), most of the time that's exactly what happens.

This is the Frigidaire Gallery, full size 27 cubic ft. French door unit with fingerprint resistant stainless, and a fourth drawer which can serve as either a refrigerator or freezer - your choice!- model # GRMC2773CF.

Important side note:  Even after picking out this excellent model, we still want to make sure before we deliver that this fridge will fit.  Don't just check the space in the kitchen and your doorways, but also ensure that the "path" between doorway and final destination offers sufficient clearance. (I think this demonstrates one of the benefits of buying from a local, experienced company; we know the possible pitfalls!!)  It's not at all unheard of for a full size modern fridge to not be skinny enough to negotiate tight hallways and turns once inside the house.  Measure twice, maybe three times, deliver once!!

But let's suppose the fridge is going to fit.  On to the range. 

Let's say you have an electric range, one with a back (a "free standing" range in appliance-speak, as opposed to a backless, "slide-in" range) that you want to upgrade. Frigidaire Gallery offers a selection of fridge-style-matching ranges (including one I have in my own kitchen).  Since you like to cook, you want some of the convenience features available on modern ranges such as air-fry, steam clean as well as self clean, and a quick oven preheat.  After having a discussion of which features you'd like to have, we settle on the GCRE3060BF.

I've found over the years that once these two categories are picked out, the rest of the kitchen usually falls in place quickly!

For ventilation, you decide you want an over-the-range micro vent that mounts to the back wall, and serves as both an exhaust fan and the microwave (freeing up counter space!).  No law exists saying your mirco-hood and range have to be matching brands, but almost everyone matches so that the cosmetics (handles, fonts, grade of stainless) coordinate together.  My most popular Frigidaire micro-hood is the GMOS1964AF:

Finally, let's choose a dishwasher.   Usually you can choose from several models in each brand; the more you pay the more noise insulation and convenience features you get.  Easily the most popular model is this line is the GDSH4715AF, with three racks and shorter than normal cycle times.

And with that, Voila!! You have a brand new, coordinated kitchen suite!  

So what about pricing, you ask?

Here's the breakdown:

GRMC2773AF   Reg price $2799   Sale price $2099

GCRE3060BF     Reg price $1399  Sale price $1099

GMOS1964AF    Reg price $549    Sale price $494

GDSH4715AF    Reg price $849    Sale price $749

Total:                   Reg $5596           Sale price $4441

(Depending on your kitchen some additional accessories may be needed at nominal costs.)

Do you need the pieces delivered?  For a small fee we deliver and remove (!!) any old appliances you need to be disposed.  Our delivery team will perform basic setup of a refrigerator and electric range. In addition,we also offer replacement installation of the mounted appliances (dishwasher and micro-hood) for an additional charge.

I mentioned exclusive rebates earlier.  How does an additional $600 in your pocket -- just from buying from Manny's -- sound??

We participate in a rebate program available only to "independent retailers."  For the kitchen described above, this means another $600 in your pocket!   

So right now, not only do you get to feel good about supporting a local retailer, you also get financially rewarded. I often call this the "Thank you for buying local" rebate.

The above example is by no means unusual or an exception.  Both manufacturer's national rebates (when they're available) as well as our own rebates are designed so that the more pieces you buy, the bigger the rebate.  In this particular case, if you had decided for example to not purchase a micro-vent, the three matching pieces would still get $400 back,   If you're planning a remodel or upgrade, I'd love to see you take advantage of these promos!!

Please visit any of our twelve showrooms (addresses and phone numbers listed on our front page), or touch base with any of our trained sales consultants via phone or email. 

Here at Manny's we can help you put together a purchase that meets your wants, addresses any unusual circumstances you might have, and also saves you the most money possible!