Consumer Reports Names the Most & Least Reliable Brands Based on Survey Covering 5.1 Million Products; High-end brands for major kitchen appliances prone to repairs; Whirlpool, Kenmore & GE have been more reliable
April 26, 2008
Pricey brand loyalists
may want to re-think their allegiance before spending big money on the next
major kitchen appliances, says Consumer Reports Annual Product Reliability
Survey, which identifies the most and least reliable product brands.
Among the least reliable brands identified by Consumer Reports readers
are major cooking appliances by high-end brands such as Viking, Thermador,
Dacor and Jenn-Air. CR’s survey shows that 33 percent of Viking gas ranges
and at least 15 percent of Viking, Thermador and Dacor gas cooktops have
been repaired or have had an un-repairable problem during the last few
years.
Pricey Sub-Zero brand refrigerators also proved to be among the more
repair prone brands. CR’s survey shows that 24 percent of Sub-Zero side-by-
side models, as well as 24 percent of Sub-Zero top-/bottom-freezers models
have needed repair over last few years-a stark contrast to Whirlpool, whose
category-best side-by-side and top-/bottom-freezers models required the
least amount of repairs, 14 percent and 7 percent respectively.
Whirlpool, Kenmore and GE brands prove to be safe bets for major
appliance shoppers. Both brands on average tend to have relatively low
repair rates between 2002 and 2006 for many types of appliances including
electric ranges, gas ranges, gas cook tops, electronic wall ovens,
refrigerators, gas and electric clothes dryers, and front- and top-loading
washing machines.
While not the sole front runner in each electronic device category,
Sony brand electronics were a safe bet and among the more reliable brands
in many categories including camcorders, and picture tube TVs. Sony shows
promising reliability for plasma TVs, LCD TVs, microdisplay TVs.
Consumer Reports National Research Center’s reliability data is based
on responses from more than 950,000 readers. Because many readers own more
than one type of product in the same category, that translates into more
than 1.3 million vehicles, 1.2 million electronic gadgets, and 2.5 million
appliances and lawn machines — a total of 5.1 million product reports.
“While changes in design can change a product’s performance, and
specific models within a brand may vary in reliability, we have found that
choosing a brand with a consistently good history improves your chances of
getting a reliable model,” said Mark Kotkin, director of survey research
for Consumer Reports.
Time to Repair or Replace?
Sometimes entire product categories require more repairs than others.
For example, when Consumer Reports looked at three– and
four-year-old-products, it found that laptop and desktop computers,
side-by-side refrigerators with ice makers, riding mowers and lawn tractors
tended to need more fixes than other type of products.
Consumer Reports generally advises that in the following scenarios
buyers should replace rather than repair products: (1) when a product costs
less than $150; and (2) if repairs would cost more than half the price of a
new model.
The May 2007 issue of Consumer Reports offers consumers a timeline to
determine whether it’s smarter to replace a product than to repair it by
considering the product’s age, typical repair and replacement costs, and
the improvements of new models. The chart below shows at what age it would
be more sensible for consumers to replace rather than repair their current
product:
4 Years digital cameras, 32-inch picture-tube TVs
5 Years camcorders, 36-inch picture-tube TVs
computers, gas push mowers
6 Years dishwashers, over-the-range microwaves, top-
freezer refrigerators, upright vacuums
7 Years clothes dryers, gas self-propelled mowers,
top-loader washers
8 Years Bottom-freezer and side-by-side refrigerators,
canister vacuums, electric or gas ranges,
electric wall ovens, front-loader washers
CR’s May issue, which goes on sale April 10, offers a complete rundown
on the most and least reliable brands for cooking appliances,
refrigerators, washers and dryers, electronics products, TVs, vacuums,
cars, lawn machines and much more. More information is also available at
http://www.ConsumerReports.org.
GE Monogram® Introduces Built-in All-Refrigerators and All-Freezers, Re-imagined with All-New Style Options and Interior Features
April 20, 2008
Completely re-imagined with new style options, improved lighting, and interior storage features, GE Monogram® All-Refrigerators and All-Freezers offer new possibilities for food preservation and kitchen design.
Wide-Open Fresh Food Storage, with Brilliant Illumination on Every Level
Opening the door of the 36-inch All-Refrigerator sheds brilliant light on the difference these units can make in the home. A halogen-lighting system recessed into the ceiling of the refrigerator casts a glow over all contents, without compromising space. A slimmer control panel also frees up space.
Adjustable, spill-proof glass shelves easily accommodate baking sheets and party platters, and gallon-size door bins make room for large containers.
The Monogram 36-inch All-Freezer offers the same brilliant interior lighting. Additionally, the all-new ice drawer in the freezer provides easier access to ice — for everyone in the family, including the kids. The All-Freezer also features slide-out baskets and gallon-size door bins.
Advanced Features that Can’t Be Seen or Heard
All models also offer advanced features that make a substantial impact in the kitchen, without making themselves visible. Hidden discreetly behind the hinged overhead panel is GE’s water filtration system, which provides clean, fresh-tasting water for the freezer’s icemaker without taking up valuable space in the fresh food section. A variable speed compressor allows quiet operation and energy-efficient performance. In fact, Monogram’s All-Refrigerators and All-Freezers meet 2008 ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy efficiency.
Sleek Sophistication, with Ease of Installation
Monogram has drastically reduced trim kits in the All-Refigerators and All-Freezers. Now, all models can be built into cabinetry and installed together without the need for additional kits. Depending on your lifestyle needs, you may prefer to keep the All-Refrigerator close at hand in the kitchen, while installing the All-Freezer in the pantry or near other food-preparation zones.
Also designed to coordinate with other Monogram products, new All-Refrigerators and All-Freezers are now available in three distinct styles:
Professional models — The premium-grade 304 stainless steel exterior conveys both a sense of solidity and beauty with heavy-duty tubular handles, louvered grille and chamfered, hand-finished edges.
Integrated models — Heavy-gauge 304 stainless steel extends completely across the doors, wrapping beautifully around the edges. Long, slim tubular handles enhance the overall look and feel.
Custom models can be personalized to match the cabinetry in your kitchen and include your choice of handles.
The estimated retail prices* of Monogram built-in All-Refrigerators are $6,049-$6,249 (professional) and $4,899-$5,899 (integrated and custom). The price ranges of the Monogram built-in All-Freezers are $6,249-$6,449 (professional) and $5099-$6099 (integrated and custom).
For more information, please visit www.monogram.com.
GE Consumer & Industrial spans the globe as an industry leader in major appliance, lighting and integrated industrial equipment, systems and services. Providing solutions for commercial, industrial and residential use in more than 100 countries, GE Consumer & Industrial uses innovative technologies and “ecomagination,” a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that help customers and consumers meet pressing environmental challenges, to deliver comfort, convenience and electrical protection and control. General Electric (NYSE: GE) brings imagination to work, selling products under the Monogram®, Profile™ GE®, Hotpoint®, SmartWater™ Reveal®, Edison™ and Energy Smart™ consumer brands, and Entellisys™ industrial brand. For more information, consumers may visit www.ge.com.