Front-loading washing machines
Boosting energy and water efficiency on appliances moved front and center during this green decade, and so did the door on more washing machines. In a 2003 story, we noted that 15 percent of purchased washers were front-loaders; today, their percentage of the market is at least double that, according to an industry report. (The highly rated Samsung WF448AA[W] is shown.)
While the front-door setup means you have to bend lower to get laundry into and out of the washer (unless the machine sits on a pedestal), more Americans are overlooking that minor inconvenience for the water and energy savings that a front-loader can deliver and the superior washing performance we've seen in our labs.
Still, front-loaders have some drawbacks. Their high spin speeds cause some models to vibrate on certain types of flooring or surfaces. And though prices have come down, the typical front-loader costs more than the average top-loader.
If you're in the market for new laundry equipment, learn about the $300 million State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program, or cash for clunkers for appliances. Then check out our buyer's guides to washing machines and dryers as well as ratings of front-loaders, top-loaders, electric dryers, and gas dryers (available to subscribers). Finally, see our latest report on laundry detergents and learn the details on setting up a laundry room.
Compact fluorescent lightbulbs
"Fluorescent lighting has a sufficient surplus of virtues to make any advertising man delirious with its exploitation possibilities." That was our take on the fluorescent lighting—in 1941. It took more than six decades, but today's compact fluorescent lightbulbs are the fulfillment of so much promise. "[CFL] sales have soared as prices have dropped and performance has improved," reads our October 2009 ratings-based report on CFLs.
For years, issues like inferior light quality, flickering, and humming were common complaints about CFLs. Manufacturers have worked to tackle those concerns and boost the already impressive longevity of these bulbs. In our ongoing tests, many CFLs are still burning brightly after being cycled on and off for thousands of hours.
Before you buy new bulbs, refer to our ratings of spiral bulbs; indoor and outdoor floods and reflectors; and lights for covered outdoor fixtures (available to subscribers), and learn how to match the CFL to the fixture.
—Daniel DiClerico
NONE OF THE CFL BULBS WORK COLD
One of the best applications for a CFL bulb is a porch light. These lights are often on all night, and if you live in Canada, you often leave them on all day in mid winter. It's dark when you leave for work and dark when you get back.
Our county recently gave bulbs away to residents just for this purpose.
Alas: When they are cold they only give a feeble glow -- less than a tenth of the light they emit inside.
We bought a C.U. highly rated HE clothes washer in December. It was delivered and installed this week. When we were attempting to select a good model we came across something we have seen before.
By the time an article appears on the products in C.U. we often find that product in the stores is on the way out or no longer available. We were able to buy the listed clothes washer as a discounted price. What can C.U. do about this gap in their ratings?
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