air-conditioners

NYC To Retailers: Close The Door, Did You Grow Up In A Barn?
In New York City, if you have a store with more than 4,000 square feet of retail space, or if you own a chain of at least five stores in the city, you're required by law to keep your cool air inside where it belongs. That means none of this leaving the door open so your cool air will "lure in overheated customers," reports WNYC. A city councilwoman says she hopes to conduct surveys this week to catch any retailers skirting the law. An employee at French Connection in SoHo said that her store is concerned about the energy crisis, so they only open one door instead of two these days. More »

Sears: We Can't Replace Your Mom's Air Conditioner, So Cancel Your Vacation
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer, and what does summer mean here at The Consumerist? Air conditioner horror stories, of course! Janet, a senior citizen with health problems living in Memphis, Tenn., tells Conumerist that Sears is dragging out the repair of her air conditioning unit in a way that's unacceptable considering the current weather conditions. When Janet's daughter explained to a Sears that she couldn't leave her alone in a roasting house during her planned, non-refundable vacation, she says the rep helpfully suggested that she cancel the vacation. Not helping, Sears. Not helping. More »

Sears Finally Delivers Air Conditioner, Follows With Barrage Of Phone Calls

—>Remember Eric, Fleur, and their epic air conditioner ordeal? When we last spoke to them, they were AC-less, hot, cranky, and reaching out to the Internets for help. Now they have their air conditioners, but only after a stunning show of disorganized solicitousness on the part of Sears.  More »

Watch Out For Sweet Appliance Deals Later This Summer
Consumer Reports noted:  More »

Sears Won't Deliver Air Conditioner Until Customer Pays Fee Sears Forgot To Charge

—>Eric wrote to us this week with a tale of such epic dysfunction while trying to purchase air conditioners from Sears that there's not much we can add to it. Inside: Imaginary deliveries, super-secret New York City surcharges, and the hazards of daring to order anything over the phone.  More »

How To Protect Your AC

—>There's nothing like a bunch of schmutz to make your air conditioner run less efficiently, and cost you more in electricity, repairs, and requiring a new one faster. Here's a few reminder tips from Consumer Reports about proper care and maintenance of your AC to keep it "cool runnings."  More »

7 Thoughts From The Weekend

—>1. No matter how much the little sign made by the owner gushes, there's a reason why a liter of "Duggan's Dew" blended scotch whiskey is only $15.95.  More »

If you're going to buy an air conditioner unit this summer, remember to pick the right size. [Energy Star]  More »

Six Tips To Cool Your Energy Bill

—>FreeMoneyFinance has six tips to keep your energy bill from overheating this summer:  More »

Consumerist Ask Metafilter Round-Up

—>• My father is in his upper 50's and his wife is in her early 50's. They don't have health insurance, but they do have a "health cost sharing plan." I think it's hooey. But they think it's great. I'm worried they are going to get sick and be in alot of trouble without some real health insurance. [Link]  More »