New Incandescent-Shaped CFL Under Glass

For homeowners who want to go green but can’t fit the swirly-shaped compact fluorescent lights (CFLs) into their existing lamps, a new compact CFL from GE will provide the solution you’ve been looking for.

GE’s new Covered Energy Smart CFL bulb features its Spiral CFL inside a glass bulb.

GE created specialized miniature electronics that fit inside the neck of the bulb making the bulb’s profile virtually identical to a standard incandescent light bulb.

The bulbs will be carried by Target and select Ace Hardware Stores. Around Earth Day (April 22, 2009) more retailers such as Sam’s Club and Walmart will have the new bulbs for sale.

“These fit in more lamps and fixtures than standard GE Spiral® CFLs with the plastic base,” says Kathy Sterio, general manager of consumer marketing, GE Consumer & Industrial. “Some people just want an incandescent bulb profile so they can easily use it with clip-on lampshades or smaller table lamps. Other people may see it as more aesthetically pleasing than GE Spiral® CFLs in lamps or fixtures where the bulb is visible. It provides a more finished or tailored look that appeals to a lot of consumers.”

The equivalent of a 60W incandescent bulb, the new 8,000-hour rated life CFL is guaranteed for five years based on four hours of daily use. By June 2009, GE plans to introduce 9W and 20W incandescent-shaped covered GE Energy Smart CFLs. The 20W CFL will have a slightly taller profile that mirrors a standard incandescent three-way bulb.

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February 9, 2009

Hunter Fan Concert Breeze

Another great product recently shown at the International Builder’s Show in Las Vegas is Hunter Fan’s Concert Breeze fan featuring 360 degrees of high-def audio.

Hunter and Soundolier partnered together to create the first and only ceiling fan sound system.

Paul Schleipfer, marketing manager for Soundolier, which is the wireless audio division of the Mitek Electronics and Communications Group.

“When distributing sound, audio coming from overhead has an all-encompassing effect that fills a room more naturally,” said Paul Schleipfer, marketing manager for Soundolier, which is the wireless audio division of the Mitek Electronics and Communications Group.

To accomplish this, the Concert Breeze utilizes a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless audio system. Without the hassle and expense of running wires, the Concert Breeze receives full-range digital-quality audio from any source, up to 300 feet away. The Soundolier Maestro wireless transmitter can be connected at any audio source – TV, MP3 player, etc. – through speaker level or 3.5mm input jack and send stereo summed DSP audio to the Concert Breeze.

Four selectable stereo signal channels virtually eliminate interference, and one transmitter can send the signal to other receiver devices within the signal range.

My favorite thing about the Concert Breeze is that it can be installed outdoors. This gives people living in multi-family buildings and high rises a way to add inconspicuous sound, light and moving air to their porches or lanais, as we call them in Florida, without having to run unsightly metal conduit on the surface of the concrete ceiling.

Look for it around June for $449.

February 7, 2009

Amana Refrigerators

Amana first let us add color to the kitchen with their Jot refrigerator featuring doors with a dry erase finish.

Just recently at the International Builder’s Show Amana showed 10 new possible decorative finishes for their top-mount freezer model.

Unfortunately, ten different designs are too many to actually produce, so Amana is soliciting your input on which models you like best.

You can rate the designs from most to least favorite, and in return they’ll give you a personality profile based on your choices.

I’m a type 10 on their survey.
“Content in your own skin and intensely avid about your interests, you are proud of your self-sufficiency and intelligence…”

If you don’t agree with the survey results or have multiple personalities, as Amana puts it, you can retake the survey.

February 5, 2009

Blogging Updates

Here’s a little update on some of things I have been doing.

Ask Ann: Read about Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value Report 2008-09. Despite the down market, maintenance-related projects and moderately priced upgrades are providing stable paybacks to homeowners.

KB+B Online: With so many materials and styles to choose from, selecting the best backsplash can be confusing. Read about the many material choices and their pros and cons.

Gold Notes: Read about new appliance trends for 2009.

Sneak Peak: I have a new page up that will give my online readers a sneak peak at my new kitchen and bath studio. It’s been a long time coming so I am very excited.