Do I really need an exhaust hood for my kithcn?

That's a great question!  I get asked this question, usually as part of a planned kitchen remodel or new home build, While we always recommend a vent hood, The short answer is "No. Actually, you don't."

But, having said that, always check with your town to see whether they require an exhaust hood.

Exhaust hoods serve three functions:  

1. They remove grease and smoke generated by cooking out of the house.
2. They also remove some of the heat that cooking generates.
3. Finally, they serve as a cooking light or night light.

As a homeowner, you have a variety of options when it comes to venting:

• You can get a traditional hood that can be mounted under a cabinet or extend with a duct into the ceiling.  
• You can mount an "over-the-range" microwave over your stove or cooktop.
• Depending on the setup of your kitchen, you might consider a downdraft setup, where a motor pulls the heat and grease through a duct out of the kitchen.
• And, yes, while I don't recommend it, you can simply not use a hood.  (Frequently apartments either have no exhaust hood, or a very basic model.  These are often set to recirculate, and barely do a better job than no hood at all.)
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I'll start with the most common setup, the traditional wall mounted hood.

What should you expect?

Basic but decent models run in the $200 range.  As you move your way up in price, you can expect better air movement (measured in CFM - "Cubic Feet per Minute"), nicer lighting, more fan speed options, a wider capture area (the area inside the hood that filters and exhausts the grease and heat.  Some models offer a delay timer so the hood will shut off several minutes after you're done cooking and presumably sitting down enjoying your meal), a heat sentry system to kick the hood on if the area underneath is getting too hot.  A handful also are remote-capable, an important feature in ADA approved kitchens (or simply because a customer likes the idea of a "connected" home!"

You may also notice that when shopping for a hood you will encounter different brands (Broan, Zephyr, XO to name a few) compared to the rest of your kitchen.  Even if you have, say, a Frigidaire or GE kitchen, it's very common to pair one of these dedicated ventilation companies over your range or cooktop.

A couple of thoughts and cautions here:

1. "Make up air":  If the CFM of your hood exceeds 400, your town may require a makeup air system in your kitchen.  Just what does a makeup do, and why?   This link answers both questions quite throroughly:
2. When possible, duct out!  Get the heat and grease out of the kitchen! 
3. Our experience has shown that a ductless, recirculating hood with grease filter, is not nearly as effective as a ducted exhaust system. I've even heard opinions as negative as "don't even bother.' (this was from one of our product reps).

My personal opinion:  recirculating is better than no hood at all, but is no match for a properly ducted exhaust hood.

Next, the Over-the range microwave/hood combo:

This is a very popular option, and may well be the "right" option in a smaller kitchen.  By mounting the microwave over the stove you free up valuable counter and prep space.  The OTR micro will provide lighting options just as a traditional hood, and also will come with a digital clock and timer (in case you need another time clock in your kitchen!).  They also can be setup to recirculate just like a regular hood.

As opposed to dedicated exhaust vents, these units are available in most of our kitchen brands.  I've noticed over the years that most people want to match the brand of their range and micro so that handles, fonts, finish, etc. will look the same.

The downsides:  The exhaust will perform adequately, but not quite as thoroughly as a traditional hood.  The main reason is the capture area: an OTR micro will have one or two relatively small grease filters underneath; they simply can't collect as much smoke and grease as a dedicated hood that has full-width filters.  Still, again especially if you don't have an oversized kitchen, these units will do an adequate to good job, and at an affordable price.

Finally, we look at downdraft systems:

First of all, these can look very cool, and can give your kitchen a little more "wow" factor - especially the pop-up units that can be placed behind cooktops (not behind a range however - be aware!).

How do they perform? Well, not nearly as well as an overhead exhaust fan.  The fight against gravity takes a toll on how much heat and grease can be sucked out of your kitchen.  

If your cooking appliance is in a center island, then you might have no choice but to utilize a downdraft type setup. Note:  There are a handful of "island hoods" on the market. Be prepared to pay extra $$! - also you want to size an island hood 6" wider than the cooking unit (in other words, you would put a 36" island hood over a 30" range.)    

There are different size motors available, and on upper end setups you can even move the blower into the basement ("in-line"), or even up on your roof ("external blower, a popular option when a customer purchases a larger, pro type range which requires a larger and therefore noisier motor.)

Some final thoughts:

The price range of hoods varies from $100 (for one of those rectangular tapered units that I had in my first apartment back in the 80's - yes, they still make them!!), up to as much as $5000 for a 1200 CFM blower that you might need over a 48" pro range with a built in grill or griddle.  The typical price for an undercabinet hood runs between $250 and $400, while a chimney hood generally runs $700-1500.  Finally, an over-range microhood will cost between $250 and $600.

Also, be aware that the stronger the hood, the noisier the hood!  There simply isn't a way to insulate a hood's motor for noise reduction without reducing its effectiveness.  Don't be fooled by any list of "quietest hoods' you might run across if doing a Google search:  I tried that, and invariably the "quietest" hoods on the list were also the least powerful.  Hood all have two-four speed settings: if you want the hood to be quieter than simply adjust the power!

And finally, measure your overhead cabinets!! Let's make sure the hood you like will actually fit in your kitchen.  This is especially important if installing an OTR micro - these units are bulkier (there has to be enough space inside to allow you to nuke your food) and therefore extend down farther from the cabinet than a regular hood.

If you have any questions on ventilation options (and almost everybody does!!), you can reach out to any of the experienced, well trained sales professionals at any of our twelve showrooms.

Size Matters! (Sometimes)

Back in 2014 my wife and I were getting a realtor's tour of the house we eventually bought (and live in today.)  While checking out the kitchen, I looked at the cabinet installed over the past-its-prime, 90's era GE white top-freezer refrigerator  measuring 66 1/2" tall, 31 1/4", and mentioned in passing that upgrading to a more contemporary style refrigerator would be an issue as the 68" tall cabinet above the refrigerator was too low, and the width (32") was too narrow.  

My wife looked at me skeptically, and asked me something along the line of "Seriously?  You mean nothing will fit?"  To which I replied "No; no full size fridge will." 

(FYI: Years ago GE manufactured a 31 1/4" wide fridge; that width is no longer in production. The prior owners of the house apparently framed around the existing fridge instead of  specing out the normal 33" or 36" wide opening.)

This issue frequently arises in a lot of older homes. Today's refrigerators have grown in all three dimensions.  Most "full size" fridges, such as French Door or Side-by-Side style models, are built to squeeze into a 36" wide space, and are 68 1/2 to 69" inches tall.  There are exceptions of course, such as an upscale 84" tall built in Subzero or GE Monogram, but for purposes of this discussion I'm going to focus on the more common, for lack of a better word, Middle-Class kitchen.

So let's say you're planning on remodeling your kitchen, have decided you aren't going to compromise on your appliance choices, and will order, size, and install kitchen cabinets that accommodate the appliance suite and look that you want.  What should you be considering?

(Note:  I'm not going to get into style choices, etc.  I am going to provide some links to past blogs discussing design at the end of this blog.)

First, the refrigerator.

This is the piece that usually becomes the lynchpin of the kitchen suite.  If you've decided on a full sized, 21-30 cubic foot model, here's what you should be thinking about:

1) Modern kitchens usually provide 36" in width and 70-71" in height for a refrigerator.  This will accommodate the typical modern French-Door or SXS (side-by-side) and still have sufficient clearance for ventilation.  

2) BE SURE to leave 36" (or even a little more.)  If you have only, say, 35 1/4" in width, you'll have to downsize to a 33" wide model.  No one makes a 34-35"model.Why are 33" available, you may ask?  The simple reason is that 33" was the traditional width allotted for the older top-freezer models that were ubiquitous in 50-70's homes.  As the kitchen became larger, more open, and evolved from a working room to a gathering place, the 36" width became the norm.

3) Don't plan on placing the fridge in a corner if you can help it!  With only a few exceptions, most refrigerators today have deeper bins in the door that are useful for storing gallon containers etc., in an effort to maximize storage volume.  Deeper doors mean that the door swing will generally extend beyond the width of the refrigerator case, sometimes 3-5" more.  If you place your refrigerator in a corner, you will most likely be unable to open one of the doors fully.

4) Be aware that today's units tend to be deeper than older units.  Some refrigerators can be as much as 37 1/2" deep!  You'll want to be sure both that the fridge will fit through your doorways, and that you won't wind up regretting your behemoth of a 29 cubic foot refrigerator dominating your kitchen.

4a) Consider counter-depth refrigerators as an option!  There is a sub-category of refrigeration called "counter-depth".  These units have 24" cases, so only the door sticks out beyond a typical cabinet.  (And yes, they should really be called "counter-plus-the-door-depth", but "counter-depth" is so much easier to say.)  People sometimes buy this style for the aesthetics of a fridge not sticking out a foot or so beyond their cabinets. Sometimes a shallower unit is a necessity due to the layout of the kitchen.  Do note that you will pay a little bit more for a shallower refrigerator, and that these shallow units are only available in French door or SXS styles - no single door top or bottom units.

-Most of the time, as I said above, the refrigerator is the most challenging piece of the appliance suite.

Other appliances are more standardized and require less pre-planning as far as size is concerned.

Ranges:  These are normally 30" wide (actually 29 7/8" to fit a 30" space.)  Now, some specialty ranges are wider, 36 or 48" for some professional style ranges, or 20-24" for some apartment/cottage ranges, but standard ranges have always been built for a 30" opening; they were never, say, 28 or 31 inches.

Dishwashers:   24" is the norm with the exception of a handful of 18" wide units.  Just like ranges, these were never a little bit wider or narrower.  You do want to be aware of the cabinet opening height; once in a while we run into instances where a homeowner retiled their kitchen floor and raised the height.  This occasionally leads to the old dishwasher being "walled in" ( For some reason I always think of Poe's "The Cask of Amontillado" when I have this conversation!), and the new unit unable to squeeze into the shorter opening.  Different brands shrink to different heights, so consult one of our sales pros if you have a specific case.

Ventilation:  Three main options here:  

1. The over-the-range microwave combo provides adequate ventilation and frees up counter space by placing the microwave above the stove vs. on a counter.  Allow 30" in width for these (same as a range!)
2. Undercabinet hoods are also usually 30" wide, but some options in wider sizes (36" and 48"), as well as smaller 24" width hoods to go over apartment ranges, are also available.
3. Chimney hoods don't require an overhead cabinet for mounting purposes, and also come in the standard 30, 36, and 48" widths.  Chimney hoods certainly add style to your kitchen, but plan on spending more for a chimney hood than other categories.

The "finished product". A newly remodeled kitchen

I intentionally haven't covered built-in wall ovens (usually 30", but some older kitchens have only 27" or 24" in width), or drop-in cooktops (usually 30", but 36 and 48" units are also available.)  I also - again intentionally - have avoided delving into the intricacies of "professional" kitchen appliances such as 84" tall refrigerators and often larger ranges.  Perhaps I'll address these specialty categories in a future blog.

Meantime, please take advantage of our sales staff's expertise, and reach out to us in any of our twelve showrooms if you have any questions.  We are more than happy to help you plan your kitchen and select the right appliances for your vision!

For more info on the different choices in various appliance categories, take a look at my blog from April 12.   

For more background on the evolution of the modern kitchen, check out my March 25 entry.

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