Hampton Bay Dehumidifiers Recalled

Legal News for Georgia Product Liability Lawyers. 18 dehumidifiers reportedly caught fire, CPSC and Home depot announced voluntary recall.

CPSC announced recall of dehumidifiers due to fire hazard.

Atlanta, GA—Home Depot has participated in the voluntary recall of Hampton Bay Humidifiers due to the fire and burn hazards they pose on Thursday December 17, 2009, as reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) http://www.cpsc.gov/. Approximately 2,000 of these appliances, which remove humidity from the air, have been recalled. They are described by the CPSC as a beige apparatus with four wheels that measures 21 inches high, 12 ½ inches wide and 17 ½ inches long. The model number for the dehumidifier being recalled is HB-50, which is allegedly printed on the back interior panel of the device. The company name, “Hampton Bay”, is printed on the front panel. These dehumidifiers were being sold at Home Depot locations from November 2000 to May 2007 for $120 to $150.

It was reported that if a particular interior component failed, it could allegedly cause the dehumidifier to overheat. This could inevitably create a fire and/or burn hazard for the consumer. According to the CPSC notification of this specific recall, allegedly 18 consumers reported that their dehumidifiers caught on fire. Another consumer also reportedly acquired a burn injury on his arm after coming into direct contact with the appliance.

Consumers have been advised to return these Hampton Bay Dehumidifiers to Home Depot in exchange for a gift card with the full amount of money paid for the product.

Repair Help: Dryer takes a long time to dry clothes

Straight from our Repair Forum:

Q:  I have a 12 y/o White Westinghouse gas dryer. It takes a very long time to dry clothes. I have checked the vent and vent tube and they are clear. The dryer/vent tube gets warm but not hot. I can hear the thermocoupler click and the burner lights up, though the "flame sound" doesn't seem to be as strong. Any ideas folks?

A: The complaint that a dryer takes too long to dry is most often caused by the dryer’s vent being blocked with lint. Dryers need to be properly vented or the moisture in the air can’t be carried away.

Perform the following:
1) Check and clean the lint trap.
2) Be sure the dryer isn’t pushed so close to the wall that it pinches off the airflow through the vent’s air duct hose.
3) Check the point where the air duct vents away from the house. Be sure plants, birds, or other objects have not blocked it. If the duct vents out the roof, it could easily be blocked with lint.
4) Disconnect the air duct hose from the back of the gas dryer and clean out built-up lint. For safety, first turn off the gas to the dryer, and then unplug the dryer; this means you will have to relight the pilot light (if the dryer has one) later; read your owner’s manual for proper relighting techniques.
5) If necessary, clean out the ductwork from the dryer to the exterior wall where it vents; this may involve disconnecting sections. One trick that sometimes makes this job easier (but only if the dryer duct is fastened firmly at all connection points) is to blow lint and debris through the duct and out the exterior wall vent using an electric leaf blower.
6) If the dryer still is taking too long to dry clothes, remove the lint filter and use a flashlight to check for internal clogs. Use your vacuum to suction out any blockages, if possible.
7) If the above steps don’t solve the problem, you may have a problem with your dryer’s heating element or thermostat.

A Winter Reminder

Saw this article and thought it was good reminder now that winter is here.

Viewpoint: Be safe and warm this holiday season

New York's Great Appliance Swap Out is Approved

The appliance stimulus plan for New York State has been approved by the federal government.  Being called "New York's Great Appliance Swap Out", residents who purchase new energy star appliances will receive rebates from the federal goverment.

The program is scheduled to run the week of February 13, 2010.

Here is how it will work:
If you purchase an energy efficient refrigerator, those are the ones marked with an Energy Star seal, you will qualify for a $75 dollar rebate.

If you buy an energy efficient washer or freezer you will get you a $50 rebate.

And buying an Energy Star qualified dishwasher plus two other appliances will qualify you for a $500 rebate. No, you can't get a rebate for the dishwasher alone according to NYSERDA.

And if you prove you recycled your old appliance you'll get an additional rebate of $25.

Guidelines for the program include:

-- Consumers must be New York residents.
-- Appliances can be purchased at any retail location and must meet specified energy standards.
-- Consumers must say in writing that the purchased appliances are replacing existing appliances.

Rebate forms and instructions will be available soon at the New York Appliance Swap Out's website or through NYSERDA's hotline (1-877-NY-SMART).

Appliance Stimulus Update's

More information is coming out about the Appliance Stimulus program.  Here is what we've found:

Connecticut

Alabama

Hawaii

New Jersey

Oklahoma

Granite Cleaner & Polish

Do you have granite countertops?  If so, this new cleaner from Whirlpool might be exactly what your looking for.

The new Granite Cleaner and Polish will protect your countertops against staining as well as restore brilliance and shine. It will also add depth to the stone’s natural veining.  It comes in a 16oz bottle. 


For information and pricing, visit http://www.apwagner.com/.

Commom Dishwasher Problems

Here are some common questions and answers about dishwashers.  If you need further help, visit the Repair Center.  If you need dishwasher replacement parts, visit APWagner.com.

Q: Why doesn’t my dishwasher work at all?

A:  If your dishwasher doesn't work at all, check the power supply, door latch switch, selector switch and timer, and the wiring. If your model has a child lock-out feature, verify that the feature is set to the Off position. Make sure cycle has ended. Make sure the Delay Start option is not set for a delayed start.

If you can, verify that you have power at the dishwasher. This might be difficult because many dishwashers are wired directly into the household wiring under the counter. Usually only the portable dishwashers get plugged into a wall outlet. You will also want to check your fuse box or circuit breaker panel for a blown fuse or tripped breaker.

The door latch switch is a safety switch that prevents the dishwasher from working if it is defective. When working properly, the switch doesn't allow power through it when the plunger is out, and it allows power when the plunger is in. If the plunger is broken or if the internal parts are not working properly, power is stopped at the switch and it needs to be replaced.

The timer and the selector switch are other possibilities. If one of these is defective, your dishwasher won’t operate normally, and the part will need to be replaced.

Running the dishwasher regularly may help prevent any seals from drying out and sticking. This includes the motor seals.

Visually inspect the wiring to see if any looks disconnected or burned. Repair or replace as necessary.

Q: Why are the dishes still dirty?

A: If the dishes are still dirty after the dishwasher has completed running, first check that you have the right wash cycle selected. This is because you may have selected a short cycle to save water and energy, but it is inappropriate for the load. If that's not the problem, check the water temperature, internal filters, detergent cup, drain valve, pressure switch, sprayer arms, and the water-inlet valve.


Use only detergents that are made for automatic dishwashers. Automatic dishwasher detergents are designed to be low suds. Soft water and hot water use less detergent, while hard water and cold water need more detergent to clean well. This readily available product, SofChek, will help you to determine if you have soft or hard water in a minute or less. These easy-to-use strips measure the hardness of your water in less than a minute. Just simply look at the color chart provided on the bottle for an instant read-out of the strip to help determine the proper amount of detergent.

Good water flow, water pressure, fresh dishwasher detergent, and warm water are all needed for the dishes in your dishwasher to get clean. If the water is not hot enough, the dishwasher can not clean dishes as effectively as possible. To test the temperature, turn on the hot water on your sink to see if the water is getting warm quickly. The selector switch on your dishwasher may let you select a higher temperature setting. You can try that to see if it helps with cleaning. Be careful if you increase the water temperature of your household hot water tank. Your hot water tank should be set to deliver water at about 120F. This may help, but you don’t want to get scalded by it when taking a shower or washing your hands either. Most dishwashers use an internal heater to increase the water temperature to 140-150 degrees Fahrenheit before it will start cycling the dishwater through the spray arms. On some models you can use the Added Heat or Wash Heat Boost selection to increase the wash water temperature. Some dial timer models will let you select Hot Start or other extended washing cycles.

To keep the water free of debris during recirculation, every dishwasher has some kind of filter. Excessive food debris may clog internal filters. Make sure you at least scrape the dishes into the trash first. On some models these filters are self-cleaning, and they don't need to be cleaned regularly. Other models have filters in the bottom of the tub that you do need to clean. You can easily remove these filters. If a filter is full of debris, the water can not circulate properly, and could be causing the dishes to remain dirty. Check to make sure the filter is not blocked or clogged with debris.

The detergent cups have a tendency to get caked with old detergent. This can stop it from opening when it's supposed to. You can try to scrape off the buildup. It may not be worth the effort if it's caked badly, and would save you aggravation just to replace it.

During the drain cycle, the drain valve opens to allow the dirty water out. When the drain cycle is over this valve is supposed to remain closed to prevent water from leaving the dishwasher until the next drain cycle. If any debris plugs the valve, it will not close or seal properly. If it is not sealed, water will drain out while the unit is washing the dishes. If this is happening, you will hear water running in the drain pipes from the dishwasher. This is a sign that you need to clear the obstruction or replace the drain valve. One of the reasons for dirty dishes may even be that the drain valve is clogged and won't let dirty water out.

A faulty pressure switch can sometimes leave dirty water in the unit, or not let the unit fill enough. If you notice too much water left over in the machine after a cycle, this switch could be defective. Sometimes the float itself can get all gummed up with mineral and food deposits and stick in the float tube. It needs to be swapped out.

Occasionally, the spray arms can get clogged with debris. This can be caused by food or even hard water deposits. This prevents the water and detergent from getting to the dishes to clean them. If you notice a clog try to use a pipe cleaner, straight pin, or toothpick to clean the holes, or just replace the spray arm.

The water-inlet valve is another possibility. This valve is connected to the main water line from the house. If the dishwasher can't get enough water, it can't wash the dishes. This valve is actuated by a solenoid system. If it loses power, it can not turn itself off. Check for sediment buildup at the valve. Sometimes when a water-inlet valve is defective, you might hear a sound like a thump or bang. That’s often called a water hammer. Water hammer sounds are caused by a valve closing in the system, and yet the water in the pipe is still flowing because of its kinetic energy. The banging happens as the water hits the valve that prevents it from going any further. Does this sound occur when a valve closes or when the dishwasher is changing cycle? Sometimes high water pressure can cause this and other sounds to occur. You can test your water pressure using a pressure gauge. You would install this gauge to one water line in the house, and make sure no other water is flowing anywhere else in the home. Pressure over 60psi should be regulated by a pressure reducing valve. If the water-inlet valve is faulty, replace it.

Q: Why aren't my dishes dry when the dishwasher finishes?
 
A: If you have problems with your dishes still being wet when at the end of the dry cycle, check to see if the rinse aid dispenser needs filling, check to see how well the dishes are loaded, and make sure a large item doesn't block smaller items.
 
Did you use the proper amount of detergent? Too little or too much detergent can have an affect on how well dishes dry. Have you selected the heated drying option? A rinse aid can help your dishes to dry better also. Is the rinse aid dispenser empty?

The next things to check are the filters, drain valve, drying fan, heating element, and the thermostat. Sometimes a clogged filter will prevent all the water from being able to exit the unit. Clean or replace clogged filters. A faulty drain valve that leaves too much water in the cabinet can be to blame. Is there too much standing water left in the unit after the dry cycle is complete? Check for blockages at this valve.

Some dishwashers have a fan that circulates the cabinet air to help dry the dishes. If the fan is not working properly, you need to replace it. At the bottom of the dishwasher is a heating element that warms the air in the dishwasher. The increased temperature speeds up the evaporation process and decreases the drying time. Visually inspect the element and look for any burned or broken areas on it, and if it's burned out or if you can't measure continuity with it removed, it will need to be replaced.

There is also a thermostat that measures the water temperature and drying temperature. If the thermostat is faulty, the cycles may not complete properly. If it's faulty, you need to replace it. You may want to unload the dishes in the bottom rack first so that any water left pooled on dishes in the top rack won't spill onto the bottom rack's dishes.

For More Dishwasher Repair Help, Visit the Dishwasher Repair Center.