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Consumer Reports Home & Garden Blog The growing trend in shrinking consumer products A recent post on our new sibling site, Consumerist.com, details the downsizing of Dawn Ultra antibacterial dishwashing liquid and hand soap—the erstwhile 11-ounce container has lost 0.7 ounces. We've been covering this consumer-product trend for years, most recently in the October 2008 story "The Lowdown on Downsized Products," which offers some tips to stretch your shopping dollars as manufacturers shrink their packages but rarely lower your cost. We also know that you're aware of these moves by manufacturers. Seventy-five percent of respondents to a July 2008 survey conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center indicated they noticed that they're getting less in packages; 71 percent said the desire by companies to hide price increases from consumers was the main reason for the contracting containers. If you come across other shrinking home products—dishwasher detergents or dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents or fabric softeners, and other household cleaners—send us a note with all the details or post a comment below. Essential information: Learn about the best dishwashing liquids. For Dawn devotees, you might be able to offset any packaging shenanigans with special offers from manufacturer Procter & Gamble. More... Forum Friday: Lots of talk about washers and dryers Based on the chatter in our appliances forum, prices for washers and dryers are falling fast. One member is seeking help deciding between LG and Whirlpool Duet models. Feel free to toss in your own opinion on these brands. It pays to remember that choosing the best laundry appliances for your home includes a number of factors, not just the overall score in our Ratings of washers and dryers (available to subscribers). These include capacity, cycle time, vibration, water and energy consumption, brand repair history, warranty length, style, and more.You'll also want to remember these mistakes to avoid when buying a washer and dryer, which could save you a bundle. Once you have your new washer at home, these repairs for your washing machine can help extend its life, saving you even more money and the hassle of shopping for a new machine. Essential information: Visit our washers and dryers product pages for buying advice for these laundry appliances. More... What's on your mind: Our most popular blog posts of 2008 Before we get too far into 2009, we thought we'd look back at the most popular posts on the Home & Garden blog from 2008. The 10 blogs below generated the most buzz last year. Inside CR Test Labs: Sewing machinesThis sneak peak at our March 2009 report on sewing machines (shown) generated quite a thread in the comment box. Around 150 readers chimed in, including the commenter who implored, "please don't lump in embroidery machines with general sewing machines." Roger that, as you'll see in the full report, coming in the upcoming story, whose issue is on sale and online in February. Own a tankless water heater? Take our surveySome 1,200 readers answered that call (another 100 commented directly to the item). The results of the online survey informed our October 2008 report on tankless water heaters, in which we revealed significant variations in installation costs, energy savings, and overall satisfaction. Mold can be a problem for some front-loading washersHere, we reported on the buildup of mold that many readers told us was occurring in the rubber gasket of the door to their front-loading washer. Sixty commenters jumped into the issue, some supporting the claim with tales of foul-smelling clothes, others reporting no complaints with their front-loading washing machine. Why Consumer Reports doesn't rate specific models of mattressesNot everyone rested easy with our explanation of why we don't rate mattress models. Wrote one commenter: "I subscribed to CR specifically for a mattress report and instead get a report on why you don't do a mattress report." Visit our new mattress product page for more details on mattress shopping. Buying Advice: Portable air conditionersCooling the air was obviously hot on readers' minds when this blog posted on June 20. Our take on portable air conditioners is lukewarm at best—not only do they deliver less relief than manufacturers claim but the units also tend to be pricey. Greener cleaners go mainstreamThe launch of a line of natural cleaners from Clorox prompted this March 24 post. Buyer's guide to pellet- and wood-burning stovesSurging home-heating costs in recent years has fueled interest in alternative ways to keep warm during the winter. Hence the flurry of comments to this buying guide. In fact, there's been so much interest that we're now planning a testing-based report on these products. Buzzword: RadonOf all our 2008 Buzzwords, none resulted in as many comments as this entry on radon. Several weeks later, The New York Times ran a story covering concerns about radon in countertops, raising the buzz again.Tip of the Day: Don't get ripped off by an alarm companyDozens of readers responded to this blog with their own experiences with alarm companies, crooked and credible alike. One unlucky homeowner tells how she was swindled out of $360. Are EdenPure space heaters just a lot of hot air?That question spurred significant interest from readers. Some defended their EdenPure space heater, others didn't recommend these appliances. Read our report on space heaters for more information.—Daniel DiClerico More... Ringing in an energy-efficient new year If your New Year's Eve plans include watching the festivities on TV, be sure to tune in at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time, when a bigger, brighter, and more energy-efficient ball will start to drop over New York City's Times Square. I saw the ball up close during its unveiling last month, and it's a stunning spectacle. The first Times Square New Year's Eve ball drop took place in 1907, when a 700-pound wood-and-iron ball signaled the start of 1908. This year's ball is twice as big as any previous version, a geodesic sphere that weighs nearly 12,000 pounds (shown). It's covered in 2,668 Waterford crystals and powered by more than 32,000 Philips Luxeon Rebel lights. These LED lights can create more than 16 million colors and billions of patterns, producing a magical kaleidoscope effect. The ball consumes the same amount of electricity per hour as it takes to heat two ovens, making this the most energy efficient ball ever, Philips claims. The ball will be on display throughout 2009, so if you plan to visit New York City next year, stop by Times Square at night to see the ball.—Kimberly Janeway Essential information: Learn more about LED lights and check out our Buzzword on solid-state lighting. More... 10 Questions for . . . Libby Langdon, Interior Designer In this installment of 10 Questions for . . . , Senior Editor Daniel DiClerico speaks with Libby Langdon, a New York City-based interior designer who appears on HGTV's Small Space, Big Style; her new book, Small Space Solutions, is due out in March 2009. Here, Langdon reveals her favorite paint colors, shares several space-expanding tricks, and talks about the latest in lightbulbs. What's your attraction to small spaces?While traveling the country for my first show, Design Invasion, I saw that people have space constraints everywhere you go. I realized that I have a lot of tips for people who are intent on making their tight quarters feel larger and function better. What are a few of your favorite tricks of the trade?• Use full-scale shelves and cabinets. Pieces that go all the way up to the ceiling visually draw the eye upward making the ceiling seem higher and your space feel larger.• Put your walls to work by mounting shelving to display collections and store items that would otherwise waste precious table space and create clutter.• When hanging drapes, mount the rod where the ceiling meets the walls. This will also expand the space visually.• Avoid using all wood furniture, which gives a room a clunky feel. Mix in glass-topped tables to give the room a lighter, airier and more open appearance.• Position a large mirror on the wall directly opposite a window or a door with panes in it. This will amplify the available natural light. Can color be used to expand a space?People are often petrified to paint a small space a color because they think it's going to make it look smaller. That can be the case if you paint all four walls a bold hue. Instead, choose an accent wall, maybe the wall that your headboard is on in the bedroom (see picture) or that your sofa is on in the living room. Paint that accent wall a rich, wonderful color and keep the other three walls a neutral, mellow color, like a soft tan. What happens visually is that the dark wall recedes and it tricks the eye into thinking the space is bigger than it is. (Learn more about specialty paints.) What advice do you have for choosing paint colors?Flip through a few design magazines to find colors you like. Nine times out of 10 they'll list the names of the colors in the resource guide at the back of the magazine. What role does lighting play in opening up a space?Layers of light add depth and dimension and make a small space seem visually much larger. This might mean a combination of overhead fixtures, undercabinet lighting, wall sconces, and table lamps. Always try to light all four corners of a room. If you can't see a corner, it's as if it isn't even there. I can't tell you how many times I go into small rooms that are lighted by a single lamp. Even in a small room, four or five lights are not too many. You also want to think in terms of tall, large-scale lamps. People tend to fall into the "small space, small accessories" trap. But a tall lamp will spread a lot of light, while again tricking the eye by creating a sense of scale and height. You use a lot of lights. Are you a fan of compact fluorescent lightbulbs?I do like CFLs for efficiency but not always for the quality of their light. I prefer LED lights, which manufacturers say last up to 60,000 hours. I find the quality of LEDs to be brighter and truer. I've found some that are around $40, so they're starting to come down in price. (The quality of light from CFLs has improved. CFLs labeled "soft" or "warm" white will more closely resemble incandescent lightbulbs, while those tagged "bright white," "natural," or "daylight" will give off a whiter, crisper light.) Speaking of efficiency, are we seeing the end of the McMansion?Houses are absolutely getting smaller as people realize they don't need so much house. Why pay to furnish and heat and cool all that square footage? There's a misconception that living in a small space means living with less. But it can actually be the ultimate luxury. When you come home and your space is functional and organized, you don't feel pulled in a million directions. You feel focused. January is Get Organized Month. What advice do you have for people who want to start the New Year with a clean slate?I first try get to people to put their clutter in perspective. I ask them, 'On a scale of 1 to 10, with one being total minimalism and 10 being total chaos, where do you want to be? If you're a 10 now and want to be a 5, that means you need lose 50 percent of the stuff. Most people are around a 7 or 8 and they want to get down to 5, which means they have to lose 20 or 30 percent of the clutter. Once you have the clutter in perspective, you need to identify your worst space. But don't put all the pressure on yourself to clean it up in one day. Instead, set a timer for 45 minutes and start organizing. Come up with your "pitch" pile, your "donate" pile, and your "need to organize" pile. You need to be a little ruthless. But most people find that decluttering is contagious. Clutter stops us from moving forward and doing what we want to do. After 45 minutes, 1 out of 100 people I work with actually stops. It feels so good to get rid of things that they want to keep going. Which areas of the home tend to attract the most clutter?The three pressure points for clutter are the entryway, the kitchen, and the home office. The trick is to create systems for each that are going to work for your lifestyle. If you have kids, don't put a beautiful table in... More... California gets even tougher on greenhouse-gas emissions The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has stepped up its fight against global warming with the recent approval of the scoping plan for Assembly Bill 32. The state agency wants to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020, a reduction of about 30 percent; by 2050, the goal is to drop emissions to 80 percent below 1990 levels. A key element of AB 32, known as the Global Warming Solutions Act and signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006, is a cap-and-trade program covering 85 percent of the state's emissions. CARB estimates these measures could save each household $400 to $500 annually by 2020. Several measures could affect consumers directly: • New codes and standards call for tougher building codes and appliance-efficiency standards. • A solar-roofs program requires publicly owned utilities to drop the costs of these systems by implementing incentives for solar power. (Learn more about incentives for alternative-energy systems, including solar.) • Smart-meter technology will provide real-time energy-use information to consumers to help them use less electricity. (Read more about demand-response pricing.) • Water-use measures will boost efficiency and conservation efforts. • Weatherization incentives will encourage consumers to insulate their homes, upgrade heating and cooling systems, install high-efficiency windows, and more. State officials hope the plan will be a stimulus for California's economy (and perhaps decrease smog in Los Angeles, shown above). "By moving first in the nation, California maintains its position at the front of the line in attracting venture capital, and positions us as a leader in the race to develop the clean technology products, patents, and projects the global market demands and needs," said Mary Nichols, CARB chairwoman. Opponents aren't so sure about the economic impact. As part of a peer review of CARB's plan, Robert Stavins, Ph.D., a professor at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government and director of the Harvard Environmental Economics Program, wrote: "I have come to the inescapable conclusion that the economic analysis is terribly deficient in critical ways and should not be used by the state government or the public for the purpose of assessing the likely costs of CARB's plans." "We stand by our macroeconomic analyses," says CARB spokesman Stanley Young, who suggests that AB 32 is as much about safeguarding public and environmental safety as it is about dollars and cents.—Daniel DiClerico Essential information: Read about CARB's and the EPA's efforts to lower emissions from lawn mowers and tractors. More... EnergySavers.gov can help cut your heating bill If you live in a cold-weather climate, you don't need a thermometer to know that winter and its cold weather have arrived. (That said, the temperature exceeded a balmy 60°F at my New York City suburban hometown yesterday.) Even as home-heating fuel prices have dropped, you'll still want to trim your wintertime utility bills. A friend swears that wearing sweaters and other warm clothing is the best way to save, so he turns the thermostat way down. He definitely saves, though his stinginess makes his house uncomfortably cold—so chilly that his mother-in-law refuses to visit. Perhaps that frostiness mirrors the relationship he has with her. . . . You don't have to take such measures to save. The U.S. Department of Energy recently launched EnergySavers.gov, which features free and inexpensive ways to lower energy costs and a guide to do-it-yourself energy audits. Your utility company might also provide a free or low-cost energy audit; if you need to hire a company, use this directory of certified professionals and learn what a professional audit should entail. If you or someone you know needs help paying their heating bills this winter, check out the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.—Kimberly JanewayEssential reading: Use our experts tips to save energy and money. And learn how cutting your utility bills could boost the value of your home. More... Can you turn your car into an emergency generator? Our recent "Tip of the Day: How to safely use a generator during a weather emergency" provided you with details on the importance of generators during a power outage. But what if you don't have a generator like those covered in our ratings-based review of these emergency-power supplies? A December 23, 2008, post on the Green Inc. blog from The New York Times detailed how a Massachusetts homeowner rigged his Toyota Prius (full model information available to subscribers) to provide electricity to his storm-battered home. This novel use of the hybrid car got me to wondering about weather-related emergencies and what types of system(s) you might have jerry-built to cope with the situations. It also struck me that maybe our trusty vehicles can be more than just people movers. If you've got an interesting tale to tell, share your experiences by posting a comment below. Meanwhile, I'm going to explore ways to turn my mundane minivan into a profit-making venture, perhaps as rolling drive-in theater for families of five (popcorn and soft drinks not included).—Steven H. Saltzman Essential information: Visit our Storm & Emergency Guide for expert advice on coping with natural disasters. More... Happy holidays to all—and keep warm If you're of a certain age and grew up in the New York City area, you probably remember watching the Yule Log on WPIX on Christmas Day. Channel 11 used to show a fireplace aglow for hours on end, a goofy yet—if not literally—warming looping log. Some of us used to look for the spot where the loop ended and started again—perhaps not the most exciting thing to do on a holiday but if the bowl games were boring or the weather too nasty to go outside, this detective work did provide a diversion. While most wood- and pellet-burning stoves won't allow you to watch the burning logs, they clearly have grabbed the interest of many consumers who are looking for less expensive ways to heat their homes. If you're considering adding one of these devices to your home, read our buyer's guide and these blog posts on an innovative pellet-delivery system and the fluctuating price of fuel for these stoves.—Steven H. Saltzman More... Q&A: Are high-Btu burners and induction cooktops worth their added cost? The Btu ratings of the burners on ranges and cooktops seem to have increased, and induction cooktops are becoming more popular. Does the performance of these high-output appliances justify their higher prices? That depends on the amount and the type of cooking you do. Our latest report on gas ranges included models with gas burners rated at 18,000 Btu/hr.: GE PGS975SEM[SS], $2,500, Electrolux EW30GF65G $2,000 and EW30GS65G $2,300; and dual-fuel Dacor Epicure ER30D, $6,000. Each brought a 6-liter pot of water to a near-boil in 15 to 16 1/2 minutes. "But less expensive gas ranges with burners rated at 15,000 or 16,000 Btu/hr. offered comparable water-boiling performance," says Tara Casaregola, a program leader in the Consumer Reports Technical division. "High heat is also useful for stir frying large quantities," notes Casaregola. Gas ranges are now being outperformed in some areas by induction cooktops, which use electromagnetism to heat iron-based cookware while leaving the heating element itself relatively cool. High-output induction elements bring water to a boil faster and are better for certain specific cooking tasks than other electric burners. In our latest tests, the GE Profile PHP900DM [BB], $1,650, and the Thermador CIT302D[S], $1,725, brought 6 liters of water to a boil in less than 8 minutes. The Thermador's overall performance and versatility—it excelled at simmering and combines induction and electric elements—earned it a spot in our top 100 products of 2008 (available to subscribers). A recent First Look on the Kenmore Elite 9991 range (shown) points to why induction appliances are generating a buzz. The induction cooktop on the Kenmore boiled water rapidly and did well in our low-heat test, melting chocolate on its lowest-power element without scorching and holding tomato sauce below a boil on its largest element at a lower setting. But induction might not be for you. "If you're choosing between a high-powered induction cooktop and a gas range, you still can't beat the 'feel' of gas," says John Macchia, a senior laboratory technician in our technical division who studied at the Culinary Institute of America. "If you cook on a regular basis with gas, you'll know what I'm talking about." Macchia is talking about the visual cue you get when cooking with gas, the ability to see the size of the flame and gauge the amount of heat being pumped out. His sentiments are shared by many participants in the induction-cooking discussion on our appliances forum, where a growing number of induction users have been sharing their experiences. Drop in and tell others about your favorite cooking appliance. Essential information: See our updated product pages for more information on gas and electric ranges and cooktop and wall ovens. More... Buzzword: SERP What it means. In the early days of Web search engines, SERP—search engine results page—was only part of new-media pioneers' jargon. In today's wired world, we all encounter SERPs countless times a day when we google someone (to find out what became of a high-school flame) or something (to check out the price of the bottle of wine you got from your boss). A SERP, a listing of Web pages returned by a search engine in response to a query, in a way serves as an up-to-the minute measure of what people are looking for online; how well a Web page is optimized (the ever-important search-engine optimization, or SEO); and which search terms companies are paying for (the sometimes pricey search-engine marketing, or SEM). Every organization with a Web site pays attention to SERPs, be they derived from internal or external searches. At Consumer Reports, for example, we've seen that many of you are searching for information on wood- and pellet-burning stoves. We've done a buyer's guide to these increasingly popular devices and have covered news surrounding them in the Home & Garden blog, like these posts on their rising sales and a new pellet-delivery system. We're also planning a testing-based report on these product. Why the buzz? SERP plays a big role in the Web 2.0 world, which emphasizes social networks and interaction. (A related buzzword, reputation economy, highlights the user review nature of this new model). Still, as valuable a pulse-taker as SERP is, it's not always a reliable measure of quality. Consider the recently published "Looking for a Vacuum?" item on AOL. After some breezy if not exactly exhaustive buying advice ("Most people want something light-weight with great sucking power . . . "), the author provides a list of the most searched vacuum cleaners on AOL. They include, in order from 1 to 10, Dyson, Shark, Rainbow, Kirby, Hoover, Eureka, Oreck, Dirt Devil, Miele, and Bissell. This search-term popularity contest not only omits leading nameplates Kenmore and Electrolux but also isn't an accurate measure of how the 10 brands perform. In our latest report on upright vacuums, canister vacuums, and handheld vacuums, for instance, Dyson models didn't rank as highly as the AOL Dyson search did. (Ratings of canister and upright vacuums are available to subscribers.) Kirby is another highly searched brand on AOL, and people interested in that company's vacuums will be happy to know that it was among the highest-scoring—but priciest—upright vacuums we tested. The discrepancies between popularity and performance are many, and we haven't even touched on brand reliability. This is not to say SERP is useless. The wisdom of the crowd can be a good starting point in your search for information. But when it comes to vacuum cleaners and other major appliances, be sure to cross-reference the cyber chatter with the test-based findings of our engineers.—Daniel DiClerico Essential information: Read our Value Index for cordless drills, a new tool designed to help you get the biggest bang for your buck. More... A good corkscrew is key for any celebration I've broken more than my share of corks when opening my favorite wines over the holidays. And it seems to happen as we sit down for dinner, a most Scrooge-like occurrence on the part of the host and the corkscrew. One rookie mistake I used to make was storing my wine standing up in too warm a space since I didn't have a wine cellar. Proper storage would have kept the corks on older bottles from becoming dry and more likely to crumble. I've used waiter’s, T-shaped, and wing-style corkscrews, some of which require a modicum of skill and/or a bit of strength to use. I’d have upgraded to a better-engineered manual or electric corkscrew, but some of them were even pricier than the wines I coveted. But for our recent report on electric corkscrews, we found $20 electric models from Emerson and Oster that removed both natural and synthetic corks quickly, easily, and relatively quietly (watch the video here to see them in action). “These models are especially useful for anyone with limited hand strength, or anyone who has trouble using a traditional corkscrew,” says Adam Kaplan, a Consumer Reports project leader who oversaw the tests. Both top-rated electric corkscrews come with a rechargeable battery, charging base, and foil cutter. We also tested some advanced manual openers that might be worth considering. And if you’re on a budget, read the report mentioned above to learn about the pros and cons and costs of classic corkscrews.—Gian Trotta Essential information: Find out which Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Shiraz, and sparkling wines are good buys (ratings are available to subscribers). Then tap into our tips on proper temperatures for serving wine, saving it for later, and mastering wine lingo. More... Forum Friday: Top forums in recent weeks Washing machines: This has been the most popular appliances forum recently, with the least-repair-prone front-loading washer and LG washer smell among the hottest discussions. These topics have emerged as our other top forums. Vacuums: Vacuum aficionados have been posting in our best vacuums topic, while picks and pans of deep and steam cleaners have drawn numerous reviews. Refrigerators: A newer French-door refrigerator discussion has sprung up to replace the old discussion on the same topic, along with a call for the quietest refrigerator. Mattresses: The hottest non-appliance forum has many folks chatting about latex mattresses. And thanks to the member who posted the last word on how to buy a mattress. Dishwashers: The I love my dishwasher discussion continues with passionate posts. Can top one member’s tale of her 24-year-old dishwasher? Central heat/air conditioning: Cold weather and energy prices probably stoked discussions, like Which gas furnace should I buy?, which ranks as our most viewed discussion. We're looking forward to responses to a member's call for opinions on integrated heating and hot-water systems. Ranges: These kitchen appliances have seen more activity as the holiday-cooking season kicked off and Consumer Reports published new ratings. The pros and cons of induction cooking is especially useful. Small appliances: Coffeemakers dominate here. As detailed in a recent Forum Friday, numerous threads are percolating away in the wake of our latest review of coffeemakers. Dryers: You’ll find numerous discussions of particular brands and some interesting exchanges on ventless condensation dryers and ways to prevent clothes and sheets from “balling.” While it didn't crack the Top 10 in traffic, the energy saving in your home forum has had some wonderful insights to put more green in your holidays. More... Find the best value in cordless drills Choosing the best cordless drill for yourself or as a holiday gift isn't as tough as using one of these tools to build a deck. But if you’re unfamiliar with this type of equipment, finding just the right cordless drill could be a hassle, especially when stores are heavily promoting them as a holiday gift and pricing is volatile. So we've created the Consumer Reports Value Index™ (below) to help you get the best general-purpose cordless drill for your money. (If tougher tasks are on tap, see our ratings, available to subscribers, of drills designed for heavy-duty work, including models from manufacturers below and DeWalt, Ridgid, and Skil, as well as Black & Decker, Bosch, and Milwaukee.) This exclusive interactive below combines our ratings of 27 drills—focusing on speed, power, run and charging times, and handling—and the approximate retail price as of December 18, 2008, laying them over a chart with higher-, medium-, and lower-value zones. Products toward the upper-right side of the chart offer comparatively better values than at the bottom-left side. Note that prices here might differ from what you see in our Ratings and in stores. To use the index, roll your cursor over a model name in the list at the right of the chart, which includes a selection of drills in order of value. Doing so will highlight that model in the chart, revealing its price, battery type, and a link to its model page. Or just mouse over any of the 27 points in the index to pop up the same information. You can use the chart to compare the relative value among two or more models, giving you the needed information to decide which one gives you the most bang for your buck. The drill that tops ours performance ratings, the Panasonic EY6432GQKW, $185, isn't necessarily the highest-value drill. Lower-priced Ryobi, Craftsman, and Makita models performed well in our tests, so they merit a higher Value Index ranking. The top values are the Craftsman 11588 and the Ryobi ONE+ P811 (shown above), each a CR Best Buy at $100. In our tests, the Craftsman edged out the Ryobi in speed, power and run time, but both are easy to handle, have short charging times, and come with two NiCd batteries. Smart alternatives to this Craftsman and Ryobi are the Hitachi DS12DVF3, $80, and Makita 6390DWPE, $140. Lithium-ion, or Li-Ion, drills provide longer run time in a lighter package. The Ryobi P813, $180, was the only drill in our latest report that offered a battery with a built-in charging indicator. That's an important feature, as our tests revealed that several Li-Ion batteries couldn't be recharged after we discharged them fully and that letting a Li-Ion battery sit for longer than 6 months with a full charge can shorten its life. The ultralightweight Ryobi HJP1001K, $80, makes a great stocking stuffer, but its Li-Ion power and run time are less than those of some other drills—don't expect to use it for a major project. The Makita BDF452HW, $200, and Hitachi DS18DFLPC, $150, are lightweight lithium tools, but their prices are not as svelte. The Ryobi ONE+ P811 comes with NiCds but can also take Li-Ion batteries in case you want the option to upgrade in the future. Remember, the Value Index provides you with a relative price-and-performance comparison of these cordless drills. So learn more about each drill by reviewing the model pages and reading our buying advice, then use the index as a guide. If you find a cordless drill at a price different from what we show, you can use the chart to determine whether that model will fall into the medium- or higher-value zone. You'll be a more informed shopper when you hit your local home center.—Gian Trotta Essential information: For more information on buying cordless drills, see our product page, and learn more about other tools and outdoor power equipment. We've also created a Value Index for digital cameras, flat-panel TVs, and GPS devices. Tell us what you think about this tool by posting a comment below. More... Tip of the Day: How to safely use a generator during a weather emergency A series of devastating ice storms recently knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of residents in New York State and New England, and carbon-monoxide poisoning caused by backup generators has claimed three lives. Thousands of homes were without power several days after the storms hit, and more wintry weather has been forecast throughout the country for this week. So it's a good time to review the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's alert on portable generators and our advice for using generators safely (also watch the safety video, right, and our video buying guide). If you're in the market for a generator, read our report on portable and whole-house generators and use our free wattage calculator to determine which model you need. Essential information: Our Storm & Emergency Guide offers expert advice for coping with a wide array of natural disasters. To get advance warning of bad weather, visit the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center. More... For an even greener holiday, get the LED(s) out Green is among the colors traditionally associated with Christmas, but green can be more than just a year-end-celebration decorating theme. As we noted last year in our review of holiday lights, in which we compared mini and standard-size incandescent light strings with LED light strand, LED lights use a lot less energy than traditional holiday lights. Lots of people have apparently switched over to these energy-efficient lights: "Our sales of LED holiday lights are up high-double-digit over last year," says Tia Robinson, a Home Depot spokeswoman. Don't miss this advice for using a ladder, important when you're putting up the lights or mistletoe, and these general tips for staying safe during the holidays festivities. Essential Information: LED lighting isn't just for festive occasions—it's beginning to see increasing application in the home. More... A meat thermometer can help make your holiday meal a success The table setting is beautiful, a warming fire dances away in the hearth, good spirit and tasty spirits abound, and cheerful music provides the background for the compelling conversation. Friends and family have gathered for what's expected to be a sumptuous holiday feast. This scene is played out in family and living rooms all over the country at this time of year, as is this one in countless kitchens: The cook is sweating and fretting over the pricey roast cooking away, unsure when to take it out. Remove it from the oven too soon, and it could be raw on the inside. Let it go too long, and a charred mess could emerge. But there is a simple solution, and it doesn't entail ordering from an overpriced caterer. The easy way to ensure your main dish doesn't turn into an under- or overcooked nightmare is to use a meat thermometer. We recently tested 11 different leave-in and instant-read models ranging in price from $15 to $40. One model, the Weber 6439 Audible, even has a wireless probe, allowing you to check food temperature or get notified when the desired temperature has been reached up to a football field away. Read "How Accurate Is That Meat Thermometer?" for more details on our tests and watch our video (right). Essential information: If turkey is on your holiday menu, read our Thanksgiving tips. And check out or wine page for information on the best values in reds, whites, and sparklers. More... Some homeowners resort to outside help to sell their property A few months ago we wrote about the resurgence in people using St. Joseph statues (shown) to help them sell their homes. "The statue surfaces every time we have a soft market," said Walter Molony, a spokesman for the National Association of Realtors. "I don't think anybody's analyzed whether this works, but there are people who really believe that it helped them." A recent report on NBC's Today highlights other measures anxious-to-sell homeowners are taking. "It's not a science, and you have to be a believer. But if you are a believer and you try it, who the heck knows? Sometimes it works," real-estate consultant Barbara Corcoran said last week on Today. Have you taken any unusual steps to sell your home? Did they work? Let us know by posting a comment below. Essential information: If you're trying to sell your home, read our expert advice in "Buying, Selling, Remodeling" from the September 2008 issue of Consumer Reports. More... Tip of the Day: How to safely use your snow blower As of mid-December, the area around our Yonkers, New York, home base has received only a dusting of snow. But other parts of the country have already been dumped on, which means that millions of folks have schlepped out their snow blowers. These wintertime workhorses can certainly make easier, faster work of driveway and sidewalk clearing, but as with any outdoor power equipment, they pose some inherent risks. So before you crank up your snow blower, read and follow our safety tips and these from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute: • Read your owner's manual thoroughly and understand all of the recommended safety procedures before starting your snow blower.• Before the snow hits, remove doormats, sleds, boards, wires, and any debris from the area you'll clear to avoid clogging the chute and damaging your snow blower. These objects will be hidden from view once they're buried beneath the snow and could become dangerous thrown by the snow blower and could potentially injure bystanders.• Handle gas carefully. Avoid spillage by using nonspill containers with spouts. Store gas in a clean, dry, ventilated area—never near a pilot light, stove, or other heat source. And don't smoke around gasoline.• Don't let your kids operate the snow blower. And keep people and pets away from the area you're clearing.• Don't clear snow across the face of slopes and use extreme caution when changing directions on slopes. Don't try to clear steep slopes.• Never run the snow blower without good visibility or light. Be sure of your footing and keep a firm hold on the handles.• If you have to repair your machine, remove an object, or unclog built-up snow from the auger blades or chute, always turn the snow blower off and wait for moving parts to stop. When cleaning snow use the supplied snow-removal tool or a broom handle, and never put your hands into the chute or near the auger. If you need to work on the machine, disconnect the spark plug wire or, for an electric snow blower, unplug the cord.—Ed Perratore Essential information: Read our report on snow blowers and use our interactive feature "Snow blowers: Which is right for you?" to find the best snow blower for your home. More... Tip of the Day: Picking—and replanting—a Christmas tree More than 31 million cut Christmas trees were sold in the United States last year. And while the vast majority of them were recycled after the holiday, you can make your Noel greener by buying a live tree that you plant outdoors after the holidays. Using energy-efficient LED holiday lights is another deed that could get you on the "nice" side of Santa's ledger. Another reason to buy a live tree? "You'll beautify your yard, and trees can make your house cooler in summer by providing shade and warmer in the winter by blocking winds," says Jessica Arcate, a curator of trees and shrubs at the at the New York Botanical Garden. When you're shopping for a live or cut tree—as my daughter's doing in the photo, right—don't buy one whose needles come off easily when you run your hand down a branch or if branches snap off when bent, says Rick Dungey, public-relations manager for the National Christmas Tree Association. But, he adds, "if you shop when it's really cold out, don't mistake a frozen tree for one that's dried out. When you snap open the branch of a frozen tree, it'll still be green on the inside." For a cut tree, "make a fresh cut in the base of the tree and get it into water within three to six hours of buying it. And during the holidays, never let the water level fall below the cut surface," says Dungey. Live Christmas trees on the other hand, require slightly different handling: • If you live in a cold climate, keep a live tree in a protected space like a shed or garage for a few days. Once you bring it inside, place the tree as far as possible from direct sources of heat. • During the holiday, keep the balled-and-burlapped root pack moist. This will not only help the tree survive but will also eliminate a safety risk. "Dry-out is a huge fire hazard with all trees," says Carolyn Cairns, a product-safety program leader with Consumer Reports. "The critical thing is to keep the tree moist." ("'Tis the Season to Avoid Folly" will help you avoid holiday dangers and provides candle-safety tips.) • If you live in a warm climate, plant the tree as soon as you can after the holiday. • If you live in a cold climate, keep the tree alive in an unheated indoor space and plant it in mid-March. If you can't do this, Arcate recommends using some hoop-framed shelters covered with plastic sheeting to protect your tree from winter winds. Ideally, you would have dug a planting hole in the fall before the ground froze. (It could still be frozen when you plant it in March.) But if you haven't already, dig the hole during a thaw, covering it with leaves and burlap. • Before you plant, prune the roots so that they won't grow out in a circular pattern. Plant the tree only to the depth where the first roots branch out from the trunk. Backfill the hole with the soil you excavated. • Remember to leave enough space for the tree to grow. "Some trees will grow very large, so you'll need a decent-size garden. Some of the Fraser firs we planted here a century ago have reached 70 feet, although they do tend to slow down a bit when they reach that height." Arcate says. "An Alberta spruce is a better choice if you want a smaller tree." If you don't want to or can't buy a tree to replant, don't feel guilty. "Christmas-tree growers replant trees and rotate crops in their fields, which also provide habitat for animals and remove carbon dioxide from and put oxygen back into the air," Arcate says.—Gian Trotta More... Buzzword: Megashed What it means. In this country we call them big-box stores, but across the pond, massive retail centers with 100,000-square-foot interiors are known as megasheds. Like the places it describes, this Britishism is not intended to be quaint. It entered the lexicon largely through protests against the largest retailer in the United Kingdom, Tesco, which has been criticized for its Walmart-esque approach to doing business. Why the buzz? Love ’em or hate ’em, megasheds are here to stay. The top five retailers worldwide all carry big-box distinction: Walmart tops the list, followed by Carrefour (France), the Home Depot (North America), Tesco, and Metro AG (Germany). Even the global economic meltdown hasn't slowed growth at some retail Goliaths. Indeed, while year-over-year U.S. retail-chain store sales for November declined 2.7 percent (the biggest drop in 35 years), Walmart actually posted record gains, according to the International Council of Shopping Centers. (See how some of America’s biggest retailers fared in our report on the best appliance stores.) “Consumers are now focused on necessity,” says Ellen Davis, vice president of the National Retail Federation. “They're buying what they need in order to make it through the downturn.” That's why some chains known for deep discounts are faring better during a recession than department stores, supermarkets, and other retailers. Walmart has benefited from the current recession. “If you go back three or four years, we were telling the other side of the story, asking ourselves, ‘Why is Walmart so weak?’” says Michael Niemira, chief economist at ICSC. The answer, he explains, is that Walmart's attempt to attract more upscale consumers failed miserably. Its return to a value-based model “has helped propel Walmart through the year and the holiday season,” says Niemira. Until the economy rebounds, Walmart and the megasheds like it will be bargain-hunting beehives. But you still need to be savvy to find the best values: Be careful use credit cards. Paying cash provides a much-needed reality check, especially when you're lured by all the heavily discounted merchandise. If you do use credit cards, always pay them off on time. Stick to your shopping list. An informal poll on our Web site found that one in two visitors to Costco and Sam's Club spent more than they had intended. “When most people go into a store to buy something on sale, they often come out with 10 other things that weren't on sale,” explains Davis. The best way to avoid this trap is to stick to a shopping list. Buy reliable products. As noted in our Buzzword on reliability, low prices shouldn't come before reliability. Use our brand repair histories, available for many major product categories, to learn which manufacturers have the best record over time. Look for the right deals. It’s easy to think that everything sold at megasheds is a bargain. But the best deals are revolving, just like at any other retailer. “You need to be able to differentiate between a good deal and great deal,” says Davis. Use sites like PriceGrabber and BizRate to verify you’re getting the best price. Share the perishables. If you shop at warehouse clubs, share large purchases of dairy products, frozen foods, and fresh meats among friends and family.—Daniel DiClerico Essential information: Read Tightwad Tod on our Money blog for updates on the best deals this holiday season. And use our Home Improvement Guide interactive to find advice on buying appliances, tools and power equipment, and building materials. More... EPA unveils fugitive Web site Lisa Jackson, expected to be nominated for the commissionership of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by President-elect Barack Obama, will have a new weapon at her disposal to go after people charged with environmental crimes or other federal violations. The EPA on December 10 unveiled a Web site that the federal agency hopes will help it track down fugitives accused of crimes like the smuggling of ozone-depleting substances, illegal disposal of hazardous waste, discharge of pollutants into the air and water, and money laundering. The new site includes wanted posters of each fugitive and details on their alleged violations. “Putting this information on the EPA’s Web site will increase the number of eyes looking for environmental fugitives,” said Granta Y. Nakayama, assistant administrator for the EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance, who noted that two EPA fugitives have been captured in 2008. To keep yourself from violating any environmental laws, learn how to dispose of leftover paint and handle household and construction waste. And the next time you make a real-estate investment, be sure the property you’re considering doesn't have any environmental red flags.—Steven H. Saltzman More... Assembly—and patience—required It probably won't surprise you, but when they assemble Ikea bookshelves, cabinets, bedroom furniture, and the like, men tend to plunge headlong into the project and end up having more problems putting together the Swedish retailer's products than women do, according to a company official. "Men never look at the directions and have the most problems with construction because they always think they can do that," said Petra Hesser, the head of Ikea's German unit, in a December 8 report from news agency DPA. Hesser added that women are also more likely to carefully sort the parts and read the directions. Our past reviews of ready-to-assemble home (RTA) furnishings have foundthem generally to be easy to assemble and durable. Ease of assembly, instructions and fit and finish are key to our evaluations of RTA furniture and similar products like kitchen-cabinet and closet and garage organizers. I spent most of the evening this past Sunday assembling an Ikea table and two chairs. Perhaps because my wife and our 4-year-old-daughter were involved, I read all the instructions—pictorial diagrams intended to be universally decipherable—but the process was still not as easy as it looked. After you read my story, post a comment below detailing your experiences, good or bad, putting together RTA products. I've had mixed results with RTA from different companies. One time, a cabinet included shelf fasteners with burrs of metal sticking out from the edges. I had to file them smooth before reinserting them into their slots. (Note that my recent Ikea experience does not reflect Consumer Reports' testing or analysis.) • The instructions (shown above) indicated that we needed two screwdrivers and an adjustable wrench. My adjustable wrench could not fit in the table's tight corners, so I had to get my box-end wrench set. While I was gone, my daughter was able to tighten the nuts nearly all the way since her fingers are so small. Tools like box-end wrenches or deep sockets can make the assembly process easier in some cases. • The front and rear legs of the chair had to be fastened with a hex-head bolt. The directions didn't indicate if the crosspieces had to be installed facing in any particular direction (shown right), and the predrilled holes on them didn't line up with the holes in the chair seat. I lost a few minutes taking apart the chair legs and reinstalling them so the holes lined up. I'll admit that male stubbornness could "en-gender" mistakes or delays, but unclear instructions can also make the simplest jobs a challenge for anyone. My daughter loves her new table and chairs, and they cost less than assembled furniture. Still, RTA-furniture makers should try to simplify assembly wherever possible.—Gian Trotta Essential information: Read "Tools: 10 Essentials for Every Household" so you've got all the gear you need to assemble holiday gifts. Also check out our coverage of household glues and cordless drills, tool kits, and screwdrivers. More... Home-heating costs projected to drop this winter Good tidings this week from the Energy Information Administration—and just in time for the arrival of winter: U.S. consumers will pay 2 percent less during the October 1, 2008, to March 31, 2009, heating season than they did in the 2007-2008 season. The average $21 savings every household will see is not exactly a windfall. Still, the EIA's latest revised prediction is a lot better than its projection in August, when it forecast Americans would spend 20 percent more this heating season than last, or about a $200 increase. The cheaper heating could take some of the sting out of winter's chill if not add a small boost to sagging retirement accounts.—Daniel DiClerico Essential information: Discover easy ways to cut your heating bills this winter. And read our report on space heaters to find the best model for your home. More... Q&A: Can I use my lawn tractor help for snow removal? I'd like to save money by not paying a service to plow my driveway this winter. Can I add a plow or snow blower to my lawn tractor? Adding a plow or snow-blower attachment to your tractor isn't an ideal solution, according to our power-equipment guru, Peter Sawchuk. "Wet snow is heavy, and a conventional lawn tractor isn't really built to move these kind of loads on a consistent basis," Sawchuk says. "Plus, to use a plow, you will need chains and wheel weights for traction, so you'll have to buy those. And after it snows a few days in a row, you'll run out of placed to push the snow, unless you have a big property." While a snow-blower attachment eliminates the problem of where to move the snow, there are some downsides. "The attachment is expensive—nearly as much as a good snow blower—and you'll still need the chains and wheel weights," Sawchuk explains. "Also, the attachment takes up a lot of storage space in the garage and requires a large area to maneuver, making it hard to get into and out of tight spaces." And come spring, you'll have to remove the blower and reinstall the tractor deck you removed last fall and then level it. The best solution, Sawchuk believes, is to buy a large dedicated two-stage snow blower, like the Toro Power Max 828LXE shown. Read our report on single- and two-stage snow blowers, which includes a helpful interactive feature, to find the best model for your needs. More... Articles last updated at Jan 06, 2009 13:53:10pm. Next update in 60 minutes.

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