AHAM's Blog

The Home of the Future…from 1957

What images are conjured up when you envision the “Home of the Future?”   Nowadays, you might think of a kitchen equipped with modern-looking smart appliances that can be controlled from your smart phone.  If so, you would be correct because those technologies are currently being developed and will not only save you time and effort in the kitchen, but help to lower your utility bills with increased energy efficiency.

However, six decades ago, the “Home of the Future” was envisioned very differently.  At Disneyland in Anaheim California, the Monsanto Home of the Future became a major attraction in 1957 that showcased what a typical American home would be like in 1986. Some things, such as microwaves and dishwashers, would become ubiquitous. However, some parts of this futuristic kitchen never came to pass and now seem kitschy by today’s standards, such as all-plastic dinnerware, using the dishwasher to store the dishes, and replacing the refrigerator/freezer with hidden “cold zones” for “irradiated food.”

This website features more information about the Monsanto Home of the Future and includes a fun 8-minute film from the late 1950s of a housewife daydreaming about living there. You can see more pictures of the Home of the Future here.  

Or watch here:

 

What do you think of this Monsanto Home of the Future?    What do you hope the Home of the Future will look like?    Tell us!

South Carolina Offers Rebates for ENERGY STAR Appliances

If you live in South Carolina and have been holding off on purchasing a new energy efficient appliance, now is the time to get one – but you have to act fast! The Aiken Standard reported that beginning Friday, January 27^th through February 5^th, dishwashers, refrigerators and room air conditioners will receive a $50 rebate and clothes washers will receive a $100 rebate. All appliances must be ENERGY STAR certified to be eligible for the rebate.

Upgrading to ENERGY STAR appliances are not only greener than the appliances of yesteryear by consuming less electricity and water, but they will leave you with more green in your bank, too. By purchasing an ENERGY STAR washer, you could save over $135 per year on your utility bills. In fact, in 1990, the average consumption for a washer was 2.67 kilowatt hours (kWh) per cycle and one manufactured in 2010 consumes only .66 kWh per cycle – a 75 percent decrease!  Click here to find ENERGY STAR qualified washers.

For more information about the rebate program, visit the South Carolina Energy Office’s website.   If you do not live in South Carolina, click here to review savings opportunities in your area.

AHAM 6 Increase by 1.2 Percent from One Year Ago

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reports that shipments of the “AHAM 6” major appliances in the U.S. “…increased in September for the first time since March, rising 1.2 percent from a year earlier.” The AHAM 6 includes clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, freezers, ovens and ranges. During the month of September, refrigerators and freezers climbed from 1,080,800 to 1,166,800 shipments – a 7.9 percent from September 2010 while shipments of ranges, ovens and microwaves increased 3.10 percent, from 1,608,000 to 1,657,000.

If you would like to receive monthly factory shipment reports, visit the AHAM Store to purchase a one-year subscription. Each monthly report includes the number of shipments for cooking (ranges and ovens), home laundry (washers and dryers), kitchen clean up (dishwashers, disposals and compactors), food preservation (refrigerators and freezers) and home comfort appliances (room air conditioners and dehumidifiers). Subscriptions are based on the calendar year.

Additionally, AHAM has a five-year data series available, which includes factory shipment report for the current year as well as from 2007-2010.

Space Saving Appliances: Small, Tidy and Mighty!

Pick up the June issue of Kitchen and Bath Ideas Magazine, or visit KitchenBathideas.com to read their “Small But Mighty” article (pg. 27) on space saving appliances that make meal prep and cleanup easier!    Many of your kitchen appliances are available in smaller sizes or space saving configurations.   If you are redesigning your kitchen, the sky is the limit with configurations, sizes and styles to choose from.   Consider multiple dishwasher drawers in lieu of a tall tub configuration and as I stated in the magazine, try it before you buy it!  Bring your most-frequently used tray or serving dish with you and “bring measurements with you when you shop to ensure you buy the right-sized appliance- especially if it’s one that will be installed, such as a warming drawer.”  The article includes a buying and planning guide—so check it out before making your next purchase.

 

Thanksgiving Tips for Cooks of All Levels to Keep your Holidays Joyous and Safe

Thanksgiving dinner is the most anticipated meal of the year for Americans and an ideal opportunity for cooks to show off their culinary expertise. However, Thanksgiving is also considered the peak day for preventable cooking fires, where they are three times more likely to occur than any other day of the year.

Safety Tips for the Multi-Tasking Master Chef
Trying to do too many things at once while cooking can potentially lead to accidental cooking fires and related injuries.  Protect your family by remembering to:

•    Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking. 
•    Do not try to hold your child in one arm while cooking with the other.
•    Keep your range top free of clutter.

Safety Tips for the First-Time Cook
First-time cooks may not be aware of the safety precautions they should take while cooking Thanksgiving dinner. On Thanksgiving Day, first-time cooks should:

•    Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency and know how to use it.
•    Keep smoke alarms connected while cooking.

Safety Tips for the Ambitious Cook
Ambitious cooks may find themselves trying new dishes or tweaking old recipes. Whether it’s a traditional dish or an innovative culinary work of art, ambitious cooks should aim for high marks on taste and safety by:

•    Never put a glass casserole or lid on the stove or over a burner.
•    Be extremely cautious if using a turkey fryer.

Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for your Appliances

In order to get the most from your household appliances, you need to show them a little love in return.  Regular maintenance will keep your appliances running in top shape and keep them running longer. The New York Times recently published an article with tips to take care of your dishwasher, refrigerator, ovens, vacuums and more. 

"Appliance maintenance does not take long — and best of all, it can extend the lifespan of an appliance," the article correctly states.  Always consult your use and care manual first, and follow these tips in The Fix when you are doing your routine house cleaning this spring.

You can also visit www.aham.org/consumer for more information on appliance care.