Exhaust Vents - The Boring Appliance. A primer.

 

It can be exciting to help a customer pick out new appliances, especially if they're moving into a new house or undertaking the remodel of an existing home.  Oh sure, there are lots of decisions, from the big ones like "how much can we spend?" to less life-altering, but still important decisions such as color, style of refrigerator and/or range, cabinet and countertop materials, and so on.  These decisions can be anywhere from fun to nerve-wracking, but the end result is a kitchen, or maybe just a new range or refrigerator, that says something about you, your taste, and your house.

One thing that almost no one asks about is ventilation.  First of all, ventilation is boring!! I've been sitting in front of my laptop for a while now, and I still have no idea how to jazz up this subject!

While we do get the rare customer whose rangehood just died, and they need to replace it, for the most part the exhaust fan is either not considered by my customers, or is an afterthought, a throw-in to the rest of their appliance package.  I've learned that for the most part consumers are not up to speed on how to choose a hood. Consumer magazines and consumer-friendly websites often go into great detail rating stoves and fridges in different fuels and styles, but you have to search to find a decent discussion of vents. (I've also noticed that a lot of salespeople are less than enthusiastic about the ventilation discussion.)  My hope in this blog is to give you at least an overview of your choices.

Essentially, there are three types of ventilation units:  Overhead hoods, Over-the-range microwave-hood combos, and Downdraft vents.  

First, the traditional overhead hood:

At first glance you might find the price range of hoods intimidating!  It's still possible to get a hood for less than $100, and it will look very much like the hood I had in my first apartment in the 80's.  It will taper toward the front, have a toggle switch that gives you low and high speeds, and if you look underneath you will see one or two tiny filters that are supposed to "capture" all the heat and smoke and grease from your food and either duct it to the outside, or pass all that through a charcoal filter and recirculate that cleaner air into the kitchen.  I'll have more to say about recirculation in a bit.

You also can get a shiny stainless steel or glass island hood that suspends from the ceiling, has a much stronger blower, much larger filters to capture grease and smoke, and is aesthetically pleasing, adding to the flavor and decor of your kitchen.  Expect to pay somewhere between $1500 to $4000 for such a piece.

Then there's the middle ground, where most people wind up.  Pricing is usually $250-$800.  More $$ gets you a stronger blower (measured by CFM, or cubic feet per minute, of air movment), better capture, nicer lighting, and a nicer "fit-and-finish".  

Basically, hoods are mounted under an existing cabinet, or suspend from the ceiling.  Ceiling hoods are naturally more money, not just for the simple reason that there is more body to the hood, but also because a ceiling hood has more "eye appeal".  Just as backless ranges and shallow refrigerators cost more, you will pay what I call a "fashion premium" for nicer looking hoods.

Recirculating vs. ducted setups

Now, perhaps your kitchen is set up so that you can't duct the heat and the grease out.  Most hoods offer "recirculating" options.  Do they work?  Well, yes and no.  Dave, one of my long-time co-workers, will often tell his customers flat-out "No!  Don't even bother!".  I think that may be a tad too pessimistic.  I do think a recirculating hood is better than no hood at all, but it is also no match for a ducted hood.  The article below articulates this better than most, I think.

https://kitchenambition.com/do-ductless-range-hoods-work/

If you are going to recirculate, you will get better performance by changing the charcoal filters regularly, something almost no one remembers to do once the hood is purchased and mounted!

Over-the-range microwave- hood combination units

Over-the-range (OTR) microhoods have been a very popular option since the early 90's. Often this can be the right solution for smaller kitchens, as you are combining two appliances into one, thus getting the microwave off the counter and freeing up valuable prep space.  The CFM varies from 300 to 450.  Is that enough power?  Nominally yes.  Will they do the same job as a conventional hood?  Not quite.  OTRs are limited by their design to the amount of capture space they can offer, so they don't "suck up" quite as much smoke as traditional hoods with their full side-to-side filters.  Nonetheless, they will still do an adequate job.  

Hint:  if you're cooking something with a strong smell, such as onions, turn the vent on BEFORE you start cooking!  This way you will already have an updraft, and you are allowing the microhood to do its job better.

Downdraft ventilation

Downdrafts became popular as far back as the 70s and 80s, as companies like Jenn-Air introduced "grill ranges", offering a grill/griddle insertable module on their electric or gas ranges.  They employed a blower motor inside the stove that pulled all the smoke and grease down through a vent in the stove, and then through ducting into your basement.  Did it work?  Well, again, not as well as an updraft.  The main appeal of a downdraft is usually in the aesthetics, espcially in an open-floor-plan setup, rather than performance. 

A passing thought: feedback I received from customers over the years is that they almost never grilled indoors (too much grease and cleanup!)

Finally, two items I'd like to touch on:

1) "Make-up air".  More and more towns are requiring a makeup air system on new homes if the CFM of the hood exceeds 399.  Why is this?  This article explains:

https://kitchen.services/your-guide-to-make-up-air-system/

(So if you notice while hood-browsing that a lot of hoods seem to have 395 CFM, now you know why - these hoods stay just under the threshold for makeup air requirements!)

2) Noise:  The last time I checked the Internet for a list of quietest hoods, I noticed that every model on the Quiet list had one other aspect in common:  They weren't very powerful!  At full power, a venthood is going to make noise.  Just about every hood has multiple speed settings, so if you don't need to run the blower at full power, simply turn it down, and your hood will instantly be quieter!  There's not much one can do about insulating a hood to make it quieter without decreasing performance at the same time.

*** If you have any questions on any of this, please feel free to reach out to me via email, or talk with any of the sales professionals in our ten stores. ***

The Evolution of the Modern Kitchen

Helen is a dear friend of mine.  Last week she texted me, telling me her fridge had died.  She drove to our Westfield store and picked out a full-sized French door refrigerator, replacing her now defunct side-by-side.  At the end I reminded her to double check dimensions.  The conversation went something like this:

Me:  Helen, don't forget to double check when you get home.  

Helen:  It's going to be fine.  It's the same as my old one.

Me:  Not really.  Today's fridges are deeper.  You need to make sure you have 31 inches width in all your doorways, not just your front door.

Helen:  It's fine.  

Me:  It probably is.  But you really want to double check, OK?

Helen:  I will, but I know it will fit.

Me:  Humor me?  Just walk the fridge in, please?

Helen:  OK, I will.

The next morning I receive a text:

Helen: Umm, Dave... the fridge is going to be too deep.

I'm not picking on Helen; conversations like this happen every day, and are a vital part of the process of choosing the right refrigerator for your home and kitchen.

But this got me thinking:  Kitchens and kitchen appliances have undergone amazing changes over the decades.  Advances in energy efficiency, changes in style, and - perhaps most importantly - the metamorphosis of the kitchen from a utility room where meals were prepared to the modern kitchen which often serves as the nucleus and hub of the home.

Here's what a 1950's era kitchen looked like:

Note the elaborate stove, with side by side ovens, and solid burners on top.  Also notice the absence of a dishwasher, and the relatively small refrigerator.

Let's move forward in time to the 80's/early 90's:

Now the stove has shrunk to today's standard 30" width. The kitchens now usually had a hood, often very basic as a vent.  Over-the-range microwaves, which served as both microwave and exhaust fan, became more the norm, especially in the 90's.  Color was white (with a black glass window, if the stove had a window and clock at all.)  And we see a dishwasher, a basic water-hogging, too loud to watch TV in the next room, plastic tub model.

Oh, and I love the top-freezer refrigerator with the ice and water dispenser!  No, they don't make fridges like that anymore!

When I started selling appliances in the nineties, a kitchen package often consisted of a basic top-freezer refrigerator, a coil top range, a vent hood, and on newer homes a dishwasher.  The average kitchen was utilitarian, with a typical appliance package running in the $1500-$2000 range.

On to the 2000's:

Stainless steel becomes the rage.   Style becomes more important, as customers show they are willing to pay a premium for a refrigerator that looks more contemporary than the traditional top-freezer models.  First side-by-side units with water dispensers (which actually were popular in the 90's in more upscale homes), and then the French door style fridges, became popular.  Electric stoves mostly transitioned into the glass-ceramic smooth-tops that are commonplace now.  Customers became more willing to spend more for newer styles, or for design aesthetics such as shallower refrigerators or backless ranges (allowing the homeowner to show off new, expensive tiles behind the stove.)  "Built-in" appliances, cooktops and wall ovens, became more popular.

(A footnote here: I'm deliberately not going to talk about the type of kitchen I showed at the beginning of this article.  These impressive kitchens, with their oversized built-in refrigerators and commercial type ranges grew in popularity during the golden years between the dot-com bubble and savings-and-loan bubble, and are still sold today.  In this article, I'm trying to do more of an apple-to-apple comparison of a typical middle-class type kitchen. 

Finally, today's typical kitchen:

Sleeker style lines predominate.  Stainless steel is the color of choice, but "alternatives" have become available (first with GE"s Slate, then shortly followed by the more popular Black stainless steel.)  Dishwashers lost their dials in favor of touch controls, often located on the top of the unit instead of the front thus giving a cleaner, minimalist look.  Refrigerators have more options, such as a fourth drawer for quick snacks or windows that let you see inside the unit.  And - appliances are becoming more and more connected and smart all the time!

What kitchens will morph into in the next ten to twenty years is a great topic to discuss, but I don't think anyone really has a good idea.  It's safe to assume that appliances will continue to become ever more greener and easy to use.  Personally, I think we may start to see more than one color in the kitchen, getting away from the color-matched, monochromatic look of the last thirty or so years.  But... I'm just guessing!

Lastly, I would like to share one last link with you I found on HomeAdvisor.com.  This page has some nice charts showing the changes in appliance style over the last century.

 https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/evolution-of-kitchen-appliances/

The search for an all-in-one washer and dryer

I don't know about you, but I've always been fascinated by a Quest.  

History has plenty: The space race to the Moon in the 60's. The search for the head of the Nile in the 19th Century.  The races to the North and South poles (Was Peary really the first to reach the North Pole, or was it Cook?  We may never know.)

https://time.com/6294794/robert-peary-frederick-cook-north-pole-feud/

Quests of all kinds continue today. Think of the race between corporations trying to be the first to develop and market the latest advances in cellphone technology, or the constant struggle by so many manufacturers to make products that are greener and more energy efficient, or the constantly awe-inspiring advances in medicine and surgery that prolong our lives.

Now, there are some areas in which I wish there was some sort of quest, or race:  Can't we find a way to make airline travel less uncomfortable?  Can't we find a pill that lets us lose weight instantly without side effects or repercussions?  Can't anyone make canned chili that actually tastes like real chili?

In my business, one such elusive quest has been in the laundry category: The All-in-one washer/dryer.

Why hasn't anyone been able to produce a unit that:

1.  Cleans and dries clothes properly, 
2.  Doesn't take four hours to finish one load, 
3.  Has the large capacity we have come to expect and demand from our washers,
4.  Is energy efficient,
5.  Can be used in different settings?

So far, no manufacturer has been up to conquering all these bullet points.  

The biggest challenges have been:

1. Shortening the cycle times.  Most combos take 3-4 hours to complete a load.
2. Small capacity.  Most of the reliable all-in-ones are from European based manufacturers, and are made for the generally more compact kitchens that are the norm across the pond

Just how small are Euro-washers?  Typically, they are the size of a modern dishwasher (34" tall, 24" wide and deep.)  Dishwasher sized washers and dryers have been a hard-sell here in the U.S.

Well, up to the plate comes GE!  

Earlier this year they launched a full sized unit that addresses all the challenges mentioned above.

 https://www.geappliances.com/appliance/GE-Profile-4-8-cu-ft-Capacity-UltraFast-Combo-with-Ventless-Heat-Pump-Technology-Washer-Dryer-PFQ97HSPVDS

1. Cycle time has been reduced to approximately two hours, which is consistent with what one expects from todays washers.
2. At 4.8 cubic feet, GE has given the public a washer that is actually larger than average sized - even for today's oversized units!
3. Like all good front-loading machines, large loads of clothes come out clean. By using a condenser coil, GE can dry that large load much faster than other combo units. And the most amazing part of this: The clothes actually get dry on a standard 110v plug!  There is simply no other machine that can offer a fast drying time without a dedicated 30 amp outlet.
4. By using heat pump technology, GE is able to significantly reduce energy consumption on the drying side.  In fact, some utility companies offer rebates on heat pump dryers (and I suspect more will follow.)
5. Design adaptability.  To me, this is one of the unit's coolest aspects adaptability!  Because it runs on a standard 115v circuit, and because it does not need to be vented, this machine can be placed in a variety of places throughout the house!

                                                                   

I spoke briefly with Scott, one of our service techs, about the quality of this new product.  Scott was exuberant about the internal construction, and believes that these combos will prove to perform reliably.  (Most people don't realize that for an appliance repairman to actually "like" an appliance is a rare event, possibly because they spend all day fixing broken appliances.)

GE is excited about this breakthrough appliance, and so are we at Manny's.  We feel this unit will be the right go-to solution for a lot of unusual applications.

Now, back to the canned chili problem...

The Massachusetts Sales Tax Weekend Is Almost Upon Us!

First, a disclaimer:  This blog really is only of interest to Massachusetts customers!  (Sorry VT, NH, CT, RI shoppers.)

Of course, if you live in the Granite State, I'm sure you could care less about a sales tax holiday, right?

If you 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.)

But -- if you reside in the Bay State, then I'm sure you're already well aware of our state's no-sales-tax weekend, this year occuring on August 12th and 13th!

Massachusetts is one of 30 states that implemented a sales tax holiday in recent years, with the intent of both helping consumers with back-to-school purchases, and to help retailers in what is normally a bit of a slowdown in traffic.

What makes the Massachusetts sales tax holiday different from other states?  The biggest, actually by far the most important difference, is the dollar cap.  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.)

Keep in mind: 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:

Connecticut:   Clothing and shoes under $100 per item are tax-exempt from the state sales tax of 6.35%.

Rhode Island  or Vermont.  Currently there is no such program, although it appears RI is considering a holiday similar to Massachusetts'.

The result (perhaps unintended originally) of the unusually high limit in Mass is that sales in certain businesses (such as the household appliance business) spike - dramatically!  Most, but not all, of our products fall neatly into the under-$2500 category.  As a result, many of our customers will time their appliance purchases to take advantage of the extra savings the tax holiday offers (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,  you were probably frustrated by the huge crowds of shoppers, which can make getting the attention of salespeople challenging! (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 try to take care of our customers.  The experience can be stressful, for employees and customers alike!)

There is a solution to beating the crowds, and a solution we strongly encourage:  Come in between now and Friday August 11.  We will be busy, but not overwhelmed.  We can work with you and help you with your purchase. 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 an appliance suite for a remodel or kitchen upgrade, we can help!

Here's the procedure we've developed over the years:

1. 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. 2) We put together on paper a "quote", outlining your purchase.
3. 3) On the 12th and 13th Manny's dedicated staff gets up early and drives to work, usually a large cup of strong coffee in hand, and begins processing these payments.  

The only stipulation to this strategy, which we have used effectively in past years, is that your purchase must be paid in full on August 12 or 13. (That means no deposits or layaways.  Sorry -- state rules!) during those two days.  

Now, please keep two thoughts in mind:  

1. 1) This tidal wave of business is going to stress inventory levels that are still recovering from the Great Pandemic. 
2. 2) As hard-working as our delivery and warehouse guys are, there are only so many deliveries we can perform each day.  

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 various locations.

Finally, one last thought:

Happy Shopping!!

Dave, How Long Do Appliances Last These Days??

I think I get asked that question more than any other when I'm helping customers pick out new appliances.  

Before I get into that however, let me give you an update on current promotions:  The July 4th promo period officially ended on Wednesday July 12, but some manufacturers have extended their discount allowances to us for a bit longer.  I can't promise that every single item has been extended, but this list should give you a general guideline.

• GE -- most offers are extended through 7-19.  
• Whirlpool, Maytag, Kitchenaid. -- Most deals appear to be over as of July 12.
• LG --   most deals run through 7-19.
• Frigidaire/Electrolux -- Good news here!  Deals mostly run through 7-26.
• Samsung -- most promos now run through 7-26.                                                              

So if you missed the Independence Day sales, in many cases there's still time to hurry into your local Manny's and take advantage!!

Now, back to longevity of today's appliances.

I read through a dozen or more articles last night from various sources trying to find a consensus of estimates.  Below, I'm linking two sites with recent articles that seem to fall in the middle of the curve.

First, from "This Old House":

How Long Do Appliances and Parts of Your Home Last?

Here’s a guesstimate of how long things last around your home to help you plan for routine maintenance.

By This Old House

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iStock

How long do refrigerators last? Or when those old cabinets just can’t be saved? The National Association of Home Builders’ “Study of Life Expectancy of Home Components” gives a decent guesstimate by compiling life-cycle data from scores of product manufacturers and testing labs. The following is a summary to guide you in planning your next big home improvement.

When Should You Replace Appliances?

iStock

The life expectancy of a typical appliance depends to a great extent on how much it’s being used. Still, appliances are often replaced long before they are worn out because changes in styling, technology and consumer preferences make newer products more desirable. Of the major appliances in a home, gas ranges have the longest life expectancy: 15 years. Dryers and refrigerators last about 13 years. Some of the appliances with the shortest lifespan are: compactors (6 years), dishwashers (9 years) and microwave ovens (9 years).

The full link is below.

https://www.thisoldhouse.com/21018361/how-long-things-last

Here's a second opinion (again, the full article link can be accessed below:)

How Long Do Appliances Last?

February 11, 2022 by Team HomeServe

How old’s your fridge? When did you buy your washing machine? Lots of factors go into the longevity of common household appliances, but all appliances will eventually give up the ghost.

Knowing the average lifespan for common appliances can help you estimate when you might need to replace that old refrigerator or stove.

What's the Average Lifespan of Common Household Appliances?

Most major appliances usually last between eight and 15 years. This average time frame can help you determine when to replace an appliance, but you can often repair older appliances to make them last longer. Some of your appliances might still be under warranty.

Refrigerators

Refrigerators run nonstop to keep your food properly chilled. Despite the constant operation, refrigerators have an average usable life of 13 years. Cleaning the condenser coils can help your refrigerator last longer.

Dishwashers

You can expect your dishwasher to last about nine or 10 years. Certain parts, such as the hose, might be vulnerable to damage or leaks and need to be replaced sooner.

Washing Machines

Washing machines average 10-year lifespans. The size of your household and the amount of laundry you do every week impact how long yours lasts. You might need to replace individual parts sooner, such as the hose that handles the water.

Dryers

Both electric and gas dryers have an average life expectancy of 13 years. The main maintenance task is keeping the lint cleaned off the screen and from the dryer vent.

Microwaves

Your microwave should keep heating leftovers for about nine years. You can make sure it lasts as long as possible by only running it when you have food or liquids inside. Running it empty can damage the appliance.

Ovens, Ranges and Stoves

When it comes to ovens, ranges and stoves, electric models typically last around 13 years. Gas models usually last a little longer, with an average life of about 15 years. Both types have a relatively long lifespan and require very little maintenance other than routine cleaning.

Chest Freezers

A stand-alone freezer offers an average usable life of 11 years. Keep it clean and vacuum the coils regularly — similar to a refrigerator — to make it last as long as possible.

https://www.homeserve.com/en-us/blog/home-improvement/how-long-do-appliances-last/

I'd like to end with a couple of thoughts regarding the above based on my own experience selling appliances and dealing with customer service issues.  First, It surprised me that every single article I read stated that gas ranges last a few years longer than their electric counterparts on average.  I never noticed a difference.  Second, and maybe more important, I think the life expectancy on clothes washers and refrigerator should be a wider range.  On too many occasions in recent years I've had customers calling or coming into the store complaining that their washer (usually the motor or control board) or fridge (usually ice buildup, a motor issue, or electronics) needs service within a few years of purchase - after the manufacturer warranty (generally one year) has expired.  Speaking with our service techs, they confirm what I've been noticing.

Helpful hints to help your appliance last longer: 

1. Maintain the machine properly, and use the appliance as the manufacturer recommends. 
2. Perform routine maintenance cleaning as specified. 
3. Also, consider at the time of purchase adding the protection of an extended warranty to your appliance for a nominal charge.