LG Caught Cheating
LG Electronics in Australia has agreed to compensate potentially thousands of consumers after two of its fridges - models L197NFS and P197WFS - were found to contain an illegal device that activates an energy-saving mode when it detects room conditions similar to those in a test laboratory. The circumvention device as it is called was discovered last month by consumer advocacy group Choice. The device detects test conditions and activates the mode, creating the impression of lower running costs and energy usage. The devices have been banned in Australia since 2007. In reality the fridge, which has a 3.5 star energy rating, costs an extra $250 to run over 10 years and can severely affect food quality because it can shut off when opened. Choice's tests found the energy consumption of the fridge was 876 kilowatt hours a year, compared to the advertised 738kWh. The Choice chief executive Nick Stace said the fridge was an extreme example of a company making false or misleading environmental claims, known as ''greenwashing''. ''This fridge is both a potential danger to your food, your wallet and the environment,'' he told the Choice National Consumer Congress. LG Electronics has agreed to pay affected customers $331 to cover the unexpected increase in their power bills, but has not agreed to refund the purchase price of the fridge. It is the third time LG Electronics has been caught making false claims about its products' environmental credentials.
False Appliance Claims Again in Australia
In Australia again it was revealed that ONE in three electrical appliances audited for energy efficiency is either unfit for sale or has exaggerated environmental credentials, the newspaper Sydney Morning herald investigation revealed. Of the 171 appliances tested from January 2007 to June 2008, 38 per cent failed the federal government's minimum energy performance requirements or understated the item's energy consumption on initial screening. The poorest performing categories were fridges and freezers (59 per cent), airconditioners (59 per cent) and dishwashers (27 per cent). Since the six-star rating system began in 1992, more than 1900 appliances have been audited to verify their advertised energy rating and consumption in response to tip-offs or complaints. Despite the alarming rate of failure, the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency and Water failed to provide a list of offending companies. Consumer advocates and testing laboratory operators have called for tighter enforcement to rein in offenders, many of which are based overseas.
Dyson vacuum Cleaners Recall
OWNERS of Dyson vacuum cleaners are urged to check their machines after a nationwide recall in Australia over an electric shock risk. Three people in the states of NSW, Queensland and the ACT, have suffered electric shocks while using a Dyson DC05 Motorhead cleaner. Anyone owning a Dyson DC05 Motorhead should stop using it immediately and call Dyson on 1800 275 397 or 1800 275 397. The vacuum hose can detach from the wand handle and cause live electrical connections to be exposed. If these connections are touched while the machine is plugged in, there is a risk of electric shock and/or burns. The DC05 Motorheads were manufactured between 2000 and 2004 and nearly 9000 were sold across the Australian state of NSW. Owners are advised to unplug the vacuums and, if the hose was detached or loose,not touch the exposed electrical connectors. If the hose was secure, contact Dyson to arrange a replacement part to ensure the hose cannot detach in the future. Consumers could also ask for a refund, but under the law a trader could offer repair, replacement or refund, Ms Judge said. In this case, Dyson was offering to replace and fix the faulty part
This the BLOG that is all about home-appliance repairs
You should know that basic home-appliance repairs and kitchen-appliance repairs are possible for most people even with just the most basic skills. I dom't need to tell you how much a serviceman costs to call out and then only to find it is something very basic that has gone wrong and you still end up paying for that very expensive call out fee.
I have been an electrical engineer, contractor and service man for more than 30 years now, and have seen most things that can go wrong. You know that I am still called out to help clients with problems that they could have solved easily themselves within a few minutes. In most cases the problems are so basic.
This will bring you up to date with recalls, useful home appliance news and information
Why wont it work?
How many times do I get emails that state just that and the main switch is off, the breaker is tripped and some people call out and pay 100 dollars to switch it on
Please, check the main circuit breaker first, and if it trips back out then you have a problem. The best appliance blog there is
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