The South Korean electronics maker unveiled many new products at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas but only one was a smart phone.

Samsung unveiled their SMH2117S over the range microwave which is the first microwave with an LED light for lighting the cooking surface below. The lamp uses less than a tenth of the power consumption (2.4W/1EA) of conventional incandescent (40W/1EA) or halogen (20W/1EA) cooktop lamps.

An Eco Mode saves up to 40% in energy by turning the display off when not in use. The microwave also has a porcelain enamel interior, which the company said makes it seven times more scratch and rust resistant than other microwave interiors.

In addition to being a microwave and a hood, the new SMH2117S is also a convection oven and a toaster oven. This is going to be a huge space-saver for many home owners.

Samsung’s RF4289 and RSG309 LCD refrigerators are designed to be the first refrigerators with kitchen-relevant apps on a WiFi-enabled 8-inch LCD touchscreen. The Grocery List app will allow consumers to create their own highly personalized shopping lists at the touch of a button, while the Facebook app will provide instant access to consumers’ newsfeeds.

I personally don’t stand too much in front of the refrigerator so I think the Facebook app is pretty much a useless gimmick. Depending on how far away your refrigerator is from your prep area or the range; looking at online recipes on the door panel may be inconvenient as well.

While both of the previous appliances won awards at the show, the appliance that stole the show is new WF457 Front Load Washing Machine. This washer is not only the industry’s largest washer it offers never before seen Smart Control technology.

Through a WiFi network and a smart phone application, users can monitor cycle selections, remaining time and finishing alerts, as well as remotely start or pause the washer

The WF457 washer is also the first from Samsung to feature SpeedSpray, which delivers a cleansing shot of water with dissolved detergent and then a rinsing shot for improved rinsing performance. These result in a cycle time that is up to 25 percent shorter compared with conventional washers. In addition, Samsung‟s Smart Care system makes user manuals obsolete by quickly diagnosing washer issues and sending alerts to consumers‟ smart phones.

The washer and matching dryer is said to be available in Onyx or White this Spring at major retailers.

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced that some LG and Kenmore refrigerators are no longer part of the federal government’s Energy Star program because of concerns over the energy use by these models.

In September LG’s French Door fridges were tested and showed an energy usage 100% higher than the energy use promised on the fridge’s DOE Yellow Card.

It was reported that LG had programmed its refrigerator controllers to be able to identify DOE test conditions so that certain electrical functions are shut down when those conditions are met. When the 90F ambient test condition was met the auto-defrost shuts down, saving lots of power, and lowering their Energy Star test result.

The official report states that LG rated the refrigerators on the basis of a standard test procedure that has been widely used for nearly 30 years. LG said it didn’t take into account different applications of the testing rules for newer technologies used in the latest energy-efficient products. Specifically, DOE said LG didn’t set the refrigerators’ temperature-controllable compartments to their coldest levels, a requirement for energy-usage measurements.

The LG LFX25950, LFX25960, LFX25971, LFX23961, LFX21960, LFX21971, LFX21980, LFX25980, LMX21981, and LMX25981 models, as well as Kenmore Trio refrigerators designed and made by LG with model numbers starting with 795 and through-the-door ice and water dispensers, are affected by LG’s agreement with the DOE.

The DOE and LG reached an agreement outlining how LG will compensate consumer who purchased one of these models before November 14, 2008.

LG is providing a three-part offer for consumers who have purchased these models. This will involve both modifying your refrigerator and providing cash payments for the additional energy usage for the useful life of the refrigerator – up to 14 years.

In cooperation with its retailers, LG will attempt to contact all previous purchasers of the affected units to arrange the in-home modification and the payments. Consumers who purchased the affected models can also register to participate in the program and get more information by mail or by calling a special hotline (1-888-848-1266) or on-line at http://www.LGrefrigeratoroffer.com.

ENERGY STAR® is a joint DOE-EPA program, formed in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership that seeks to reduce air pollution through increased energy efficiency. DOE and EPA work to offer businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy and money, while also helping to protect our environment. More than 12,000 organizations have joined ENERGY STAR® as partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. The ENERGY STAR® label appears on more than 40 kinds of consumer products.

Tag: appliance news

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