Appliance DIY Guides

Built-In Coffee Centers Offer Modern Design and Convenience

feffendi — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 17:52:00 GMT

Built-In Coffee Centers Offer Modern Design and Convenience

Sleek and elegant, this stainless steel built-in unit features adjustable height, unique Savorswirl brewing system and a digital LCD display.

Built-in coffee centers, also called plumbed coffee systems, have been around for decades and have only recently begun gaining mainstream popularity. According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association’s Stephanie Johnson, more and more homeowners have been turning to this appliance from both a function and design standpoint. Although somewhat pricey, the units offer a sleek addition to kitchen décor, office spaces or commercial areas. Since they hook up directly to the water supply these systems provide unprecedented convenience whether serving one cup or more.

Convenience of a Built-In Setup

One of the most commonly reported reasons for installing a coffee system into a kitchen is the conservation of counter space, says Sung Choi of the parent company that manufactures Thermador® products. “People like having a designated space for their coffee and tea preparation and the high-end design provides added incentive to spend more to achieve it,” says Choi.

Pros and Cons of Installing a Built-In Coffee Center

Built-in systems are typically installed with convenience in mind but also to incorporate state-of-the-art technology into the kitchen. Some coffee systems house cups, mugs and silverware plus other items needed to brew and serve, making yet more space available. Often incorporated right into the wall, the units blend seamlessly with the cabinetry and can be concealed if desired.

Since the units are usually built using high-end materials and have polished finishes there is an impressive design element that enhances the architecture and décor of the room. Furthermore, since there is no need to access water through taps or other sources the area remains mess-free owing to the direct connection to water supply. This is especially useful for large groups and gatherings but equally as convenient when serving just one cup.

As with any structural enhancement in a home, the property value of a home goes up with the addition of permanent features like a coffee station. Realtor Greg Sisson of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina says “Nowadays homeowners are looking ahead to the long-term and anything that increases property values is a plus point when they go to buy a new home.” He explains that convenience items are a popular feature in many of the luxury homes he deals with, noting that kitchen and bath are the home’s “hot spots” for such amenities.

Manufacturer, Price and Installation Considerations

There are primarily seven manufacturers of coffee systems, all of whom provide an eclectic mix of styles, finishes and varying features. Prices range from about $1,800 for this unit by Bosch Benvenuto to $3,000 for systems built by Miele with the price going up for customized units depending on the size, capacity and manufacturer. Here are the main manufacturers of built-in coffee systems:

An affordable alternative to full-service built-in coffee systems, the EverBrew Built-In Coffee Maker is budget friendly yet offers the same convenience as other systems.

Marketing professional Julie McCrary of Miele USA shares that coffee systems have been available for decades and became increasingly popular around 1990. She says that it was around that time when there was an increase of two-income households and the need for added convenience with both parents busier. Typically found in upscale homes and offices, coffee systems are also beginning to appear in average residential homes as well, she says.

Installation can be fairly involved, particularly with regards to the plumbing. According to the technical department of Miele USA, ideally a coffee system should be installed during renovations or when the kitchen is being built since there is usually a stand-alone area designated specifically for that purpose.

Built-In Coffee Makers

Though similar in concept, built-in coffee makers are not entirely the same thing as a coffee center. Limited to just brewing capability with the standard elements of a coffee maker, this is a convenient and relatively cost-effective option for people who want a built-in system yet prefer not to spend several thousand dollars. Also a good option for homes or offices with less room, some models such as the EverBrew Built-In Coffee Maker supplied by Water Inc. are available for the manufacturer’s suggested price of $799.95.

When considering the purchase and installation a built-in coffee system it is advisable to consult with a contractor to determine the workability of the system in the designated space before purchasing the unit.

5 Signs Your Appliances Need Replacing

kkrueger — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 15:24:00 GMT

5 Signs Your Appliances Need Replacing

Our home appliances are a big part of our everyday life. Food preservation and cooking are daily necessities that are managed with our kitchen appliances. Our laundry and dishwashing gets done more efficiently with our in-home appliances available to give us a hand. Occasionally, however, we do need to replace or upgrade these important fixtures in our homes.

High Utility Bills

"We know American consumers are eager to make purchases that save them money on their utility bills,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, when discussing the ENERGY STAR Most Efficient program, which provides labels on appliances to help consumers identify those appliances which operate the most efficiently and will save them the most on their utility bills. Newer appliances will always be more energy efficient than older ones, which makes an appliance upgrade a very 'green' choice for homeowners.

Dishdrawers for the single person or couple's kitchen are very popular because they can run a full dishwasher with less dishes and using less energy. They also require much less space than a standard sized dishwasher.

Noise reduction is a common reason for appliance upgrades.

The Noise Factor

Open floor plans are popular with many homeowners. They desire the social interaction within their home to flow easily from one living space to another. Unfortunately, this also means that appliances have no barriers to muffle the sounds of their operation. Because of this, one of the top requests shoppers make when looking for a new dishwasher is that it be quieter than their old one.

Sound reduction is a reason given for upgrading laundry appliances, as well. Having your own washer and dryer in your condominium or apartment is a great convenience, but the limited space can make it hard to get away from the noise from your laundry area. Urban dwellers are seeking solutions to that problem by upgrading their appliances to new quieter models.

Feature Deficiencies

With new appliances come new features. This is one of the biggest reasons for replacing old appliances, according to kitchen designer Hollie Ruocco, CKBD, who owns Creative Kitchen Designs, Inc. in Anchorage, Alaska. “Several clients this year that have gone with induction cooktops; they like the fact that they heat up as fast as gas but have a smooth top for cleaning. They also are energy efficient and are a safety feature for homes with small children or the elderly, because they will not burn the skin,” says Ruocco.

Performance and Size Issues

When a family has difficulty fitting their grocery purchases into their refrigerator and freezer compartments, it is a definite sign that their appliances need to be replaced with models that are more appropriately sized for a growing family. Performance issues are another major factor in appliance replacement. Repairs to appliances are costly and cannot significantly increase the life of aging appliances. It is much more economical to purchase new, energy efficient models than to pay for repairs to appliances that have outlived their warranties.

These GE Cafe Series appliances add to the modern styling of this kitchen.

Showing Their Age

“Upgrading to stainless steel gives the overall appearance of a modern kitchen even without doing major remodeling,” says Ruocco . Her kitchen remodel clients will select new appliances for their kitchens, even when the old ones are functioning perfectly. They know that outdated finishes on their appliances will ruin the fresh, new look they are trying to achieve. New appliances also have great 'buyer' appeal; an important factor when a home is being prepared for placement on the real estate market.

Appliance replacement should be considered a normal part of home maintenance. New models will always have improvements that were not available on older versions. The economical and performance advantages of appliance upgrades have been the overwhelming factors behind appliance replacement for homeowners. There is no need to hesitate. Appliance replacement is always a good investment.

Stylish and Functional Appliances For a Smaller Kitchen

kqueen — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:56:00 GMT

Stylish and Functional Appliances For a Smaller Kitchen

Look for a microwave that does double duty as both a microwave and a vent hood.

From retirees, to aging Baby Boomers to Generation Y—today’s consumers are looking for smaller homes and that usually means smaller kitchens. But you don’t have to feel cramped as you cook. Today’s feature-rich appliances are ready to do double-, triple even quadruple-duty to make best use of smaller spaces. With these appliances and/or a good kitchen design, you can still li ve large in a smaller kitchen. Think of it as choices—not compromises.

“With the economy the way it is, we’re seeing a trend toward smaller kitchen spaces,” says Antony Kirk, senior manager for industrial design for Whirlpool Corp.

Small doesn’t mean second-best. “Regardless of why a consumer decides to live in a smaller space, there is no reason to lose upscale features in the furnishings within that space,” says Marc Hottenroth, industrial design leader for GE Appliances & Lighting.

With less space, you’ll need to plan more carefully. “There’s a great essentialness about a small space,” Kirk says. “Compact living force decisions that make life more efficient.”

Match Your Kitchen to Your Needs

Look at yourself, your lifestyle and your priorities. Do you entertain a lot? Do you bake? Do you bake different dishes at the same time at different temperatures? Do you have small children who ‘help’ in the kitchen?

Someone who entertains might focus more on the refrigerator, ice maker and perhaps add an under-counter wine chiller .

An empty nester might want a wine chiller—with different temperatures for red and white wine—or a beverage chiller that will store sodas, beer and wine. Or, you can get under-counter refrigerator drawers at two different temperatures .

If you need additional refrigerator space, consider an under-counter refrigerator. Or, move that additional refrigerator, wine or beverage cooler into the area where you entertain. Bonus: that keeps people out of the kitchen while you’re preparing the meal.

If you’re a baker, focus on the oven. You may need a double oven so you can operate at two different temperatures, In almost the same amount of space as a traditional wall oven, you could get two ovens—a regular oven good for baking a holiday turkey, topped off with a small oven just right for baking a couple of sheets of cookies. Or, you might want a warming drawer underneath your wall oven.

GE’s Profile offers 6.6 cubic feet of combined cooking space in two ovens in the same amount of room as one oven, Hottenroth says. GE’s Advantium offers four ovens in one: speed cook, true European convection cooking, sensor microwave and warming oven.

Moving to faster cooking, you can get a microwave that does triple duty as convection oven and a vent. Speaking of ventilation, be sure to get a good system —the smaller the kitchen, the more critical it is to have good ventilation.

Maximize Space, Minimize Obstructions

A refrigerator with French doors or a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer help make the best use of a small kitchen because the doors don’t extend as far into your walking area.

For your cooktop, a smooth surface produces less visual interruption than heavier-duty traditional burners. “The built in, flat cooktops are going to appear much more integrated into the work space,” Kirk says. “Their appearance protruding into the room is much less.”

When it’s time to clean up, the Monogram line offers a slim 18-inch wide dishwasher with either a stainless steel door or a door that can be personalized to match your cabinets. A dishwasher front that matches the cabinets makes the dishwasher look more integrated into the kitchen.

As you design and lay out your kitchen, check for doors opening. Remember, a single door refrigerator opens out wider than French doors.

“If you open a refrigerator door, it takes up passage way space,” Kirk says. “A lot of times, kitchens can be a connecting way between other rooms. With a French door refrigerator, the narrower doors allow for more passage space around them.”

Measure to Make Sure

“You have to be real careful with opening and closing doors to make sure you have enough space between counters and actual walking space,” says Hugh Parker, owner of Virginia Maid Kitchens. “It’s critical to take measurements and work closely with the appliance companies to determine what they’re furnishing.”

The small kitchen owner need not feel short-changed. With the small-kitchen appliance options on the market today, he/she need not even feel that challenged to fit all the necessary appliances and components of big-kitchen living into a functional, compact kitchen space.

Installing a Central Vacuum System

gtimmerman — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 19:38:00 GMT

Installing a Central Vacuum System

Central vacuum systems bring a more efficient and healthier cleaning option to the home.

Central Vacuums are designed for overall effective cleaning and eliminate the need to carry heavy upright units to all levels of the home. Efficient and affordable, central vacuums offer versatility lasting for a lifetime.

All homes, regardless of size and configuration, can be retrofitted for a central vacuum system. There are many models of central vacuum systems available, so finding one to fit your home won’t be an exercise in futility.

Central vacuum systems add value to your home as they are one of the more desired features sought by homebuyers.

Regardless of model or manufacturer, upright vacuum cleaners release a portion of the contents of the collection container, bag or plastic, back into the air affecting those living in the home that may be suffering from allergies or asthma related health conditions. With quiet operation and superior cleaning capability, central vacuum systems remove dirt and dust permanently from the home with no messy bags or canisters. Central vacuum systems are self-contained, releasing with no harmful omissions offering an intrinsic “tax-free” re-sale value to the home that remains appealing to potential homebuyers. “A lot of allergies will prescribe a central vacuum system. This is not bringing dust back into the room. It’s picking it up and removing it from the house permanently,” says Ron Goens of Built-in Systems, Roselawn, ILL.

Consideration

When considering a central vacuum system for your home there are one should keep in mind home size and overall cleaning capabilities. Presently, there are two types of central vacuum systems available, the cyclonic and filtered units. The cyclonic system uses centrifugal force to remove impurities from the air with no filter, while the filtered system incorporates a microfiber-filter, which needs cleaning or replacement at periodic intervals. Regardless of the type, selecting a central vacuum system should be based on one or all of the following:

Select a dealer who offers a variety of units and price ranges. This provides a one-stop shopping feature eliminating lost time and expenses driving to multiple locations.
Select an experience dealer with impeccable installation, customer service and references. Check all available references closely with visual inspection of all previous installed units if permitted. Talk to previous purchasers of central vacuum systems for their recommendations and advice. Often times this advice proves to be invaluable information.
Select a central vacuum system with applicable warranties and readily available replacement parts if needed. Looking for replacement parts when needed can be time consuming and expensive.
Overall costs per square foot, including installation if applicable. Compare pricing of other dealers to ensure the best overall price for the system that is needed.

Central vacuum systems are offered by most of the leading makers of upright vacuum cleaners. Look for quality in their line of upright cleaners. This is a clear indication of the quality that can be expected in their central vacuum systems as well.

Once considered to be part of new home construction, the installation of a central vacuum system can be retrofitted to accommodate any size of home. Depending on mechanical ability, the installation of a central vacuum system requires the precise operation of a variety of tools and accurate measurements. Location of the central containment unit, which houses the motor, should be placed in a utility room or preferably in the garage for motor noise reduction.

Design/Layout

Just about any home can be retrofitted with a central vacuum system.

Layout of the central vacuum system is of vital importance. Improper design and installation of a central vacuum system will result in areas that cannot be cleaned due to mis-placement of central vacuum inlets. Central vacuum inlets should be located to avoid interference with major structural components of the home. This is because drilling through a certain number of applicable members is required for installation of central vacuuming PVC tubing. As a general rule of thumb, there should be one central vacuum outlet for every 600 square feet of floor space. For larger and/or older homes, professional installation is recommended to ensure correct installation and overall performance.

Installation Kits

For DIYers who are comfortable with their use of tools and measuring capabilities, c entral vacuum kits are available. Central vacuuming kits average $30-$40 per inlet, depending on model selected. Although designed for easy installation over a week-end, all DIYers should allow for the inevitable unforeseen obstacle.

Step-by-step

Ron Hazelton, a well- respected DIY expert for numerous years, offers step-by-step instructions for the installation of central vacuum systems that are both detailed and complete. Those individuals who remain somewhat hesitant about their ability in the installation process of a central vacuum system are advised to review this step-by-step procedure before beginning the installation.

Costs

Standard costs for a central vacuum system range from $500-$1,000 dollars, depending on model selected, with additional professional installation costs from $100-$250 dollars per inlet. Although slightly higher in initial cost and installation, the central vacuum adds re-sale value to the home with superior cleaning capability, mobility and ease of use. Carrying or balancing heavy upright vacuum cleaners while cleaning steps is unsafe and has resulted in injuries from falls.