Brand new on ConsumerReports.org
Check out the latest Appliances and Home & Garden product reports and reviews on ConsumerReports.org:
Room air conditioners, which features Ratings of more than three dozen models and expert advice to lower your utility bills this season.
Ceiling fans, which includes expert buying advice.
Deck stains, which provides Ratings of fully tested 16 opaque, semitransparent, and clear stains.
Deck materials, which includes Ratings of wood, composite, plastic, and aluminum decking products as well as tips for keeping your deck safe.
Posted by: Vicki Marchant | Jun 5, 2008 6:02:57 PM
Just curious how come there is no mention, ratings or comments on the "greeness" of furniture for the home? Clearly a solid wood piece of furniture that is locally made is more eco-friendly than a piece constructed of partical board and made using inferior craftsmanship that is imported. Locally made furniture uses less fuel to ship to stores, is usally shipped wrapped in blankets vs. cardboard and foam and many of our California wood manufactures do not use particle board and must use low VOC finishes. In many of your categories, home furnishings are not addresses when consumers are looking for greener choices.
Posted by: Kim | Jun 10, 2008 9:40:16 PM
I purchased a 52 inch Sibley Hampton Bay ceiling fan Saturday at Home Depot in Turlock, CA which I installed in my 10 year old daughter's 10 x 12 room--since installation through today 3 days later, the room has a strong petroleum or chemical type smell. I still have the box and packaging and checked it this evening and it also smells of plastic or chemicals or to me a petroleum strong scent--should I be concerned? Is this an example of VOCs? Will the odor decrease over time? Is it healthy for her to sleep in this room?
Posted by: Kim | Jun 19, 2008 11:27:48 PM
A follow-up:
I am Kim that posted the comment regarding the petroleum smell in my daughter's room after the insulation of the ceiling fan described--the next day, during business hours, I did call Home Depot. The Home Depot customer service rep, while still on the line, connected me with the manufacturer, King of Fans. The rep for King of Fans said that the fans and its packaging should not emit an odor--I should just return it to Home Depot in Turlock--(even though I tossed alot of the extras I did not need for installation). I was able to return the Hampton Bay fan without a problem and while at the store, my daughter selected a smaller blade fan but with those "extras" as far as a 10 year old girl is concerned--pink with flowers and butterfly metal fan attachments-- a Hunter fan--we installed it that evening--petroleum or plastic or chemical smell--not sure exactly what it was--no longer exists--am now a believer that VOC's exist and that chemical compounds can change over time or breakdown before its expected life is through. Her room no longer has that petroleum scent--it had to have been that ceiling fan I returned--there is something to the VOC's--