Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers – Consumer and professional information about major appliances, with pointers on how to shop, cooking safety, and product standards. There are links to most of the major manufacturers of refrigerators, freezers, home laundry, gas and electric cooking ranges, ovens and counter-tops, microwave ovens, dishwashers, food disposers, compactors, room air conditioners and dehumidifiers, electric appliances used in the kitchen, for personal and garment care, and air treatment.
Energy Star – web site sponsored by the US Department of Energy and the US Environmental Protection Agency which lists major appliances, TVs, VCRs, heating and cooling equipment, residential light fixtures, office equipment, windows, and even new homes that carry the Energy Star label. Be sure to check the Appliances section of this site to see if your refrigerator or freezer meet Energy Star guidelines — and then check your local utility company to see if they are offering any rebates on the purchase of a new, energy efficient appliance.
Refrigerator Retirement Savings Calculator – Is it time to buy a new refrigerator or freezer? What about that old fridge you have sitting in the garage where you store the stuff that won’t fit in the kitchen… are you really saving money buying extra food on sale when you factor in the cost of electricity every month? This generic electrical cost saving calculator will give you a ballpark idea how much your old ice box is costing you to run. For more detailed information, you may want to try a Belkin Energy Monitor (nice because of the flexible cord that allows you to easily read the measurements) or the original Kill A Watt P4400 Electricity Usage Monitor, which displays more information, but isn’t as convenient to read without the extended cord. Note that the newer Kill A Watt P4460 model has memory capacity so you won’t loose weeks or months worth of statistics should power to the outlet be interrupted.
Appliances and Commercial Equipment Standards – part of the U.S. Department of Energy, this program “develops test procedures and minimum efficiency standards for residential appliances and commercial equipment.”
National Kitchen & Bath Association – according to their Web site, the NKBA is “the only trade association dedicated exclusively to the kitchen and bath industry.” The “Consumer Tools” section of their Web site contains kitchen and bathroom design tips, links to member businesses, as well as, pictures and descriptions of dozens of award winning kitchen and bath designs.
Beam Industries – is the “world’s leading manufacturer and marketer of central vacuum systems.” Besides selling their own product line, they have produced private label systems for many other companies over the years, some of which include Aro, Broan, Fasco, Nautilus, General Electric, Trane, Wal Vac, and Pullman. Acquired in 1989 by White Consolidated Industries, Inc., whose parent company is A.B. Electrolux of Sweden, their Web site provides plenty of information about central cleaning systems. Be sure to download their “Do-It-Yourself Central Cleaning System Planning and Installation Manual” if you are planning to install a built-in vacuum system.
FloodSaver – A nifty 2 piece plastic washing machine surround, washing machine pan, and Slide-N-FoldTMdrain pans for dishwashers, which collect and drain water leaks. Especially practical when locating washing machines on upper floor levels or for dishwashers in kitchens with hardwood flooring and/or over finished spaces..
Appliance Manufacturers
ABBAKA – high end custom and restaurant style range hoods and ventilating equipment.
Amana – Offers a complete line of home appliances. In July 2001, Maytag acquired Amana’s major appliance and commercial microwave oven businesses and in 2006 Whirlpool acquired Maytag.
BOSCH Appliances – Dishwashers, Washers, Dryers, Built-in Ovens, Built-in Cooktops
Broan-NuTone, LLC – Range hoods, bath fans, medicine cabinets and other built-in products.
Creda Products – Gas & Electric Cooktops, Built-in Ovens, Dishwashers, Laundry Products. Creda was acquired by Hotpoint Electric Heating Company (Hotpoint in the UK; now technically Hotpoint in the EU – not to be confused with the Hotpoint brand in North America, which is owned by General Electric, which used to be partially owned by GE but is no longer), which was owned by the Italian company Indesit, which was acquired by Whirlpool Europe – OK it is pretty confusing.
Dacor– Long known as a luxury appliance brand, their products are made in the USA. The offer a full line of products including, ranges, wall ovens, warming ovens, cooktops, microwaves, exhaust hoods, and raised vents that pop up from counter level for spaces where overhead venting is not practical. With outdoor kitchens as popular as they are now, they also offer stainless grills and an outdoor warming drawer.
A.B. Electrolux – “The Global Appliance Company” – offers a complete line of home and professional appliances and outdoor products. Parent company of Frigidare®, White-Westinghouse®, Tappan®, Gibson®, Eureka®, Poulan®, Poulan PRO®, WeedEater®, Husqvarna®.
Electrolux USA – Vacuum Cleaners, Floor Care Products, Ice Makers, Refrigerators, Dishwashers, Cooktops, Ranges, Ovens, Ventilation, Gas Grills, Outdoor Kitchens
Equator Advanced Appliances – Manufacturer of specialty appliances, including washer-dryer combination units, full size and compact dishwashers, ConServ freezers, tall refrigerators, wine coolers, and a stainless steel beer dispenser.
Fisher & Paykel Industries Ltd. – This New Zealand based company is perhaps best known in the United States for their DishDrawer® dishwasher, one of their first major exports. However, they manufacture a large line of cooking, refrigeration, dishwashing, and laundry products.
Frigidaire – Refrigerators, Ranges, Wall Ovens, Cooktops, Microwave Ovens – (A.B. Electrolux)
Gaggenau – Generally considered to be a luxury brand. Among other products, Gaggenau produces ovens, hobs, deep fryers, steamers, electric grills, microwaves, dishwashers, and vents. A division of Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group (BSH).
Garland Industries – Commercial grade Ranges, Ovens, Pizza Ovens, Hot Plates, Griddles, Fryers, Vent Systems
GE Appliances – the General Electric Company offers a complete line of appliances, including various ADA-compliant appliances that meet the accessiblity guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Hotpoint – A division of GE offering “value and affordability”.
In-Sink-Erator – Food Waste Disposers or Garbage Disposals, Instant Hot Water Dispensers
Jade Products Company – Commercial ovens, ranges, griddles, hot plates, charbroilers, bar-b-que roasters, Chinese WOK ranges, and other specialty cooking appliances.
Jenn-Air – Offers a complete line of higher end kitchen appliances and outdoor grills (a Whirlpool Corporation brand)
KitchenAid – Founded in 1919 with the introduction of the Model H-5 stand mixer, and introducing the first pressurized water spray residential dishwasher in 1946, KitchenAid now offers a complete line of appliances, including induction cooktops, slow cook warming drawers, and a steam assist convection oven. (a Whirlpool Corporation brand)
Marvel Industries – residential and commercial undercounter refrigerators, freezer, ice makers, “Wine Grotto” wine storage system, humidor cigar storage accessories, portable bar caddies, outdoor refrigerators and beer dispensers.
Maytag – producers of a complete line of home appliances and refrigerated vending equipment. Primary brands include Maytag, Amana, Jenn-Air, Hoover, and Dixie-Narco (Whirlpool acquired Maytag on March 31, 2006)
Miele & Cie. GmbH & Co. (Miele International in Germany) – washing machines, tumble dryers, rotary irons, ceramic cooktops, combisets, ovens, ventilation hoods, convection steam oven, coffee system, vacuum cleaners, laboratory glassware washers, medical and dental, washers/disinfectors, refrigerators*, freezers*, microwave ovens*, fitted kitchens* – (* not available in the U.S.)
Miele, Inc. (U.S. Subsidiary) – residential appliances and professional cleaning systems: vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, ovens, cooktops, hoods, convection steam oven, built-in coffee system, washing machines, vented dryers, non-vented (condensing) dryer, rotary ironers, laboratory, dental and industrial parts washers.
Roper Appliances – Washers, Dryers, Refrigerators, Microwaves, Ranges (Part of the Whirlpool Corporation)
Scotsman – Commercial Ice Cube Machines, Ice Makers, Ice Dispensers and Luxury Consumer Ice Machines
Staber Industries – Top loading, tumble action washing machines
Sub-Zero Freezer Company, Inc. – Wine storage, icemakers, built-in refrigerators, drawer refrigeration, undercounter refrigerators/freezers
Tappan – A division of Frigidaire Home Products – (A.B. Electrolux)
Thermador – Cooktops, ovens, ventilation, dishwashers, barbecues, refrigerators, microwaves, warming drawers
U-Line – Built-in, Undercounter Wine Capatins or Coolers, Refrigerators, Freezers, Ice Makers
Vestfrost Company – Commercial and residential refrigerators and freezers, including the ConServ household line – Denmark.
Viking Range – Heavy-duty, professional-style gas and electric ranges, cooktops, ovens, wok/cooker, warming drawers, dishwasher, disposers, trash compactor, rangehoods and ventilation systems, side-by-side refrigerator/freezers, bottom mount refrigerator/freezer, undercounter/freestanding wine cooler, indoor and outdoor undercounter refrigerators, and outdoor gas grills.
Whirlpool – Offers a complete line of home appliances under several well-known brands, including, Maytag, KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht, and Gladiator GarageWorks, which offers garage organization products..
White-Westinghouse – A division of Frigidaire Home Products – (A.B. Electrolux)
Wolf Appliance Company, LLC – Built-in Ovens, Cooktops, Dual Fuel, Gas Ranges, Warming Drawers, Ventilation, and Outdoor Grills – (Acquired by Sub-Zero Freezer Company in March 2000).