York International is re-announcing the recall of some 226,000 Coleman, Coleman Evcon and Red T gas furnaces for manufactured homes due to more than 300 incident reports since the 2004 recall involving the furnaces, which can overheat, posing a fire hazard.

When washers and dryers were hidden in dimly lit basements, their appearance hardly seemed to matter. But now that they’ve moved upstairs, they’re curvy and stylish, chartreuse and plum, and available in matching washer and dryer pairs. Consumer Reports found some dynamic duos in its recent tests of washers and dryers.

The National Mall consumes more electricity than any of the country’s 397 national parks. So this week federal officials did something to cut the mall’s utility bills and replaced the lightbulbs in 174 vintage Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. lampposts with LEDs. In addition to lighting the paths for the mall’s 25 million annual visitors, the LEDs are expected to last up to 25 years and save 65 percent in energy costs.

West Elm, a division of Williams-Sonoma, has recalled about 5,750 of its Overarching Floor Lamps, because a short circuit can occur in the lamp's wiring, posing a shock hazard, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported today.

Look at the packaging for an air purifier, and you’re likely to see one or more certification logos from testing organizations and even the government. But while a star or a golden emblem on a box might suggest high praise or an award, none of the certificates necessarily mean the purifier is right for you. To help you choose, Consumer Reports has decoded the labels.

While human error is a common cause of residential appliance fires, the equipment itself is often to blame as well, according to a months-long investigation by Consumer Reports. Faulty refrigerator compressors, defective dishwasher circuit boards, and self-starting cooktops and toasters are just a few examples of the design flaws identified in our report. In fact, more than 15 million appliance units have been recalled in the past five years for defects that could cause a blaze. And our analysis of nationwide fire reports suggests the problem may run even deeper.

About 4,500 hurricane style electric lights sold at Christmas Tree Shops are being recalled today. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, an electrical short can occur in the light's internal wiring and pose a fire hazard.

Nantucket Distributing has recalled about 5,700 holiday-themed tea light candle warmers because they can catch fire because the warming bowl is positioned too close to the tea light candle, posing fire and burn hazards, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported today.

If you're shopping for a romantic box of chocolates to give as a Valentine's Day gift this year, there's good news. According to Consumer Reports latest test on chocolate gift boxes, you'll find very good tasting treats at modest prices.

As the New York Giants get ready to meet the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLVI, the question is, will store-bought frozen Buffalo wings be good enough for your Super Bowl party?

Formerly at home on the mall in Washington D.C., the next Solar Decathlon will be held across the country at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California. The move should guarantee that the competition has something that was in short supply last year—sun. The Department of Energy also announced the 20 collegiate teams that will compete in the 2013 decathlon including nine returning teams, 11 new teams, and four international teams.

At this time of year, most gardening activity is of the armchair variety. With the arrival of seed catalogs, it’s a good time to start planning what you’ll be planting in the Spring. But before you order any flowers or vegetables, consult the newly updated Plant Hardiness Zone Map because your zone may be warmer than you think. Compared to the 1990 map, the last time it was updated, zone boundaries have shifted by about 5 degrees F throughout much of the nation, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Forget Dickens—this is more of an outdoor-gear spin on the Aesop fable “The Ant and the Grasshopper,” a moral lesson on the virtues of hard work and planning ahead. But in this case it was a snow blower and not a winter food supply that stymied the grasshopper. And the ant learned that, when it comes to snow-blower maintenance, there can be a downside to having the only working machine in the neighborhood.

The genius behind the genius bar at Apple is now reimagining JCPenney’s 1,100 stores. Penney CEO Ron Johnson, who made it more attractive to go to Apple stores than shop elsewhere, wants to do the same for the 110-year-old retailer. To do so he is creating stores-within-a-store and a “town square” where shoppers can hang out—just like they do at Apple. He’s also enlisting the help of such A-listers as Martha Stewart, Ellen DeGeneres and designer Nanette Lepore. Johnson described his plan as the six P's: Price, Personality, Product, Promotion, Place and Presentation. While there are no iProducts on the list, some of JCPenney's branded goods have topped Consumer Reports' Ratings.

When it comes to pro-style ranges, the claims are big and bold, just like the ranges: “The ultimate in performance and design,” says Viking. “Kitchen artistry” boasts Wolf. Thermador touts its “state-of-the art functionality.” With claims like these, it’s no wonder people are tempted to spend $7,000 for a range. But, as Consumer Reports' testing suggests, you may want to think twice before going pro.