Electricity Price Increases

[thclimer]

Who was the manufacture of the fridge?

 

[WinterDeere]

Who was the manufacture of the fridge?

I think the most recent was Samsung. Honestly, I've changed brands so many times that I can't remember for sure, and have found problems with all of them. I think our current model is a GE, but even there, I'd have to walk over to the kitchen to confirm.

I'm always in a big rush to find one that fits the opening, when one dies. So I am usually grabbing whatever I can get quickest, over shopping for a particular brand or model. We like to have over/under configuration, in a cabinet opening more popular for side-by-side models, so our selection is usually a bit limited.

One regret is that 2 or 3 refrigerators ago, I trashed a fridge over what was probably a very minor and simple repair, just because I was tired of dealing with another minor annoyance on that model. The required repair was very likely a blower fan motor that cooled the condensor, but the reason I tossed the thing was that the freezer drain would clog about once per year, causing me to have to empty and defrost the whole freezer, spending a few hours to clear that damn drain each time. I suspect that if I just replaced the $40 blower fan and kept cleaning that drain every year, that refrigerator might still be running today.

 

[kenmbz]

I think the most recent was Samsung. Honestly, I've changed brands so many times that I can't remember for sure, and have found problems with all of them. I think our current model is a GE, but even there, I'd have to walk over to the kitchen to confirm.

I'm always in a big rush to find one that fits the opening, when one dies. So I am usually grabbing whatever I can get quickest, over shopping for a particular brand or model. We like to have over/under configuration, in a cabinet opening more popular for side-by-side models, so our selection is usually a bit limited.

One regret is that 2 or 3 refrigerators ago, I trashed a fridge over what was probably a very minor and simple repair, just because I was tired of dealing with another minor annoyance on that model. The required repair was very likely a blower fan motor that cooled the condensor, but the reason I tossed the thing was that the freezer drain would clog about once per year, causing me to have to empty and defrost the whole freezer, spending a few hours to clear that damn drain each time. I suspect that if I just replaced the $40 blower fan and kept cleaning that drain every year, that refrigerator might still be running today.

Did you let Gerhardts know about this and did you buy the next one from a different place?

 

[Mtsoxfan]

Just got bill in NH for 381 KWH was $107.00 of which $65 is delivery and $42 cost of electricity - which is interesting - we used 3X you did Jstpssng, and paid about the same. ($35x3=$105.)

How do you use so little power? We have gas stove, electric dryer, oil boiler HW, and 1.5 HP well pump then lights etc in 3K SF house and 2 of us,

I just open my bill, for 308 KWH, with taxes and fees, fees, fees, it was $83.87

 

[WinterDeere]

Did you let Gerhardts know about this and did you buy the next one from a different place?

Yes, and yes! But unlike the old days when you'd call the store and Mr. Gerhard himself would answer, this time I was just talking to one of their several-dozen sales people, so I doubt the message went too far.

I told them there was no point in buying from them, versus Lowes who was cheaper and had more options available for next-day delivery, if not for the service they used to deliver. Then, I went and bought a fridge at Lowes.

 

[Mtsoxfan]

We have a new build in 2020, and I bought new LG appliances. Refrigerator kept popping Siemens 20a CAFCI breaker. Since we live in a remote area of VT, with no authorized service center, they gave me a new one. That one did the same. Turns out, there is a new style compressor system that runs havoc on certain brands/types of breakers. Electrician I hired found and changed out. No more fridge issues. But I'm not confident with any new appliance, as they are built to a price point, and disposable. A previous Samsung could only be repaired by Samsung authorized repair center, as they don't share parts and info with others.

 

[WinterDeere]

Yeah, no GFI breakers here, other than general-use receptacles in kitchen. The fridge is on its own dedicated non-GFI breaker. But we do have some power quality issues, in that maybe once per year we'll find the voltage coming in the mains as high as 270 volts. We call the utility, they send somoene out within a day or so, and it gets re-adjusted... until the next big storm knocks it out of whack.

The story I got more than 10 years ago was about a malfunctioning auto transformer, that had to be manually reset... but 15 or 20 visits from the utility over the last 15 years, and it's still doing the same thing maybe once or twice per year.

 

[NoTrespassing]

Yes, and yes! But unlike the old days when you'd call the store and Mr. Gerhard himself would answer, this time I was just talking to one of their several-dozen sales people, so I doubt the message went too far.

I told them there was no point in buying from them, versus Lowes who was cheaper and had more options available for next-day delivery, if not for the service they used to deliver. Then, I went and bought a fridge at Lowes.

I stopped buying appliances from our local Lowes because they only stock 1 or 2 models at the store. Menards stocks every model they sell. Lowes requires you to buy the appliance and have it delivered from about 40 miles away after a day or two depending on the day you purchase. When I pay for an appliance I want it put on my truck before I leave the parking lot.

 

[WinterDeere]

When I pay for an appliance I want it put on my truck before I leave the parking lot.

I can see that for many things, but not refrigerators. At least in PA, we can't set an old refrigerator at the curb for pickup, without it being evacuated of refrigerant and tagged by a licensed pro. So much nicer to just let the delivery guys cart the old one away, and at least around here, Lowes usually has some model that will fit available for next-day delivery.

 

[gsganzer]

Our new place has some upscale Kitchen Aid line. I've never seen them at any of the stores before, but they're pretty fancy. I'm hoping they're reliable, because I suspect they're expensive. I think refrigerators and dishwashers are the most problem prone appliances.