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.

January 21, 2009

Can Compact Fluorescent Bulbs Make You Sick?

Concerns over health risks from Electromagnetic Field (EMF) sources is not new. Scientists have been studying EMFs since 1985.

We are surrounded by sources of EMF daily. They include power lines, computers, fax machines, video monitors and cell phones.

For years, some people have reported health problems they attribute to exposure to EMF. Their condition is referred to as “electromagnetic hypersensitivity” or EHS.

According to a World Health Organization (WHO) study EHS symptoms commonly include dermatological symptoms (redness, tingling) ad well as neurasthanic and vegetative (fatigue, concentration difficulties, dizziness, heart palpitations and digestive disturbances).

While the WHO states EHS is characterized by a variety of non-specific symptoms that vary from individual to individual, many believe it is related to Sick Building Syndrome (SBS)

Recently, the Globe investigated CFLs and “Dirty Electricity” stating that there is a link between CFLs and migraines.

Watch Globe TV Video

Here’s an excerpt from an Austrailian government report that refutes health claims tied to CFLs.

“While light sources with a detectable flicker can trigger migraines in susceptible individuals, CFLs ‘flicker’ at a rate well above that detectable by the human brain and so should not affect migraine sufferers,”

From what I’ve read, these reports remind me of the granite Radon scare recently in the news and on this blog. Is this really the LED industry trying to get consumers over the high price objection with fear? I’ll keep watching this and let you know if there are any updates.