January 7th, 2013
If you've already taken our advice about how to stay cool this summer and decided to purchase an air conditioner, then there are some important questions to ask in order to select the best unit for your needs. Buying an air conditioner to suit the size of room you are trying to cool is very important. Air conditioners with a large cooling capacity will use more energy, ... Read more
December 10th, 2012
While the temperatures across the country this month have been more like a Katy Perry song than the scorching summer that we're used to, that doesn't mean that you have to be left feeling uncomfortable at home. One of Australia's leading air conditioner brands has joined the Appliances Online family, offering a range of reverse cycle split systems to suit almost any room. Fujitsu is renowned for wall ... Read more
December 6th, 2012
How is your household handling summer thus far? Reckon you'll be able to stay cool when things get hot and dry, or avoid sweating through the sweltering tropical times? The best appliances to keep you cool and comfortable this summer could greatly depend on exactly where you're living and what kind of weather you're likely to experience. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is predicting that this summer: A wetter ... Read more
August 13th, 2012
A spate of house fires across Sydney over the weekend has prompted authorities to urge households to remain cautious for the last month of winter. The blazes saw firefighters called out to three separate incidents in the Blue Mountains - as well as a burnt-out home in Sydney's south - since Friday (August 10). According to Fire and Rescue NSW Superintendent Paul Bailey, while the cause of the ... Read more
July 25th, 2012
Between the frosty mornings and chilly evenings, we all need a little help trying to stay warm this winter. But just how safe are the products that we use as a source of heat? To give households a helping hand when it comes to safety, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its top winter product safety tips after a number of popular items were recalled, ... Read more
July 6th, 2012
For the second time this winter the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) has recalled a hot water bottle for fear of it bursting and burning people. It is a timely reminder to never fill a hot water with boiling water. In both cases there have been no reported incidents of burst bottles and the issue lies in a lack of safety warnings. The bottles offer this warning: "Warning: Hot ... Read more
June 27th, 2012
Perusing the internet for peculiar appliance related affairs can turn up some unusual things. Previously we've reported the kitchen timer in the shape of a combination-style safe lock, a device that will help your appliances tweet you, pizza and beer vending machines and a bacon alarm clock. So today it is with great pleasure that we bring you the The Faux Shrub Air Conditioner Concealer (pictured right). In summer, many an Australian ... Read more
June 18th, 2012
The Evantair Electric Flame Effect Heater has been officially recalled due to the effect of fire becoming reality. The flame effect heater is being taken off shelves due to the chance of it catching fire. It is the third heater to be recalled this winter. According to the recall notice there is a chance that a high resistance joint in the fuse holder will overheat and catch fire. The ... Read more
June 13th, 2012
In the hope of boosting construction and the NSW housing market, the lovely Mike Baird in his new state budget has opened up an extra $8,000 for new home owners on new homes only, offering a total first home buyer grant of $15,000. But it's a case of double or nothing. The flip side is that anyone buying an existing house lucks out as the $7,000 first home buyer grant, ... Read more
June 11th, 2012
Cheap As Chips hot water bottles have been recalled due to serious safety issues. The 2-litre hot water bottles by discount variety store Cheap As Chips have been recalled by the nation's official consumer watchdog, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). According to the recall notice, the PJ436 hot water bottle may burst if it is over filled or filled with boiling water, and may cause "severe ... Read more
June 8th, 2012
Are you having trouble breathing easily in your home? Asthma playing up? Air in your kitchen not smelling so great? Your gas cooktop could be the culprit. A recent study from the University of Sheffield has found that homes using gas cooktops can contain three times as much nitrogen dioxide as what's found in the air in city centre hotspot, or in the air from alongside busy highways. Warning: ... Read more
June 6th, 2012
Yesterday's blitzkrieg-like storm in Sydney and up the Central Coast has served as a slap-in-the-face to many of who may have been in any denial that yes, it is definitely winter. A drop in the mercury and howling winds encouraged many a Sydneysider to don scarves, Ugg boots, rummage in cupboards for hot water bottles and crank up the heater. At the same time, the NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod ... Read more
May 30th, 2012
Freida Cocks is 93 years old today. Born in Kurow in the desolate deep south of New Zealand's South Island, Freida has witnessed the invention of every modern home appliance since her birth in 1919. As a child nothing in her house was electric, let alone automatic. In the 1920s in remote NZ her principal home-keeping chore was gathering firewood, an essential energy source for cooking and ... Read more
May 28th, 2012
As the Laura Star disappears, awake she sheds a silent tear A blood red dawn begins to rise, and reflects the fear in Rinnai's eyes, For through old promises to Omega She has sealed her Bromic's demise. (Have you read part one?) The brave little kettle shouts out his warning As Bromic dives for his Sharp sword, The piercing whistle Brevilles out through the morning 'Til St George slays Morphy and the blood starts to pour. Rinnai looks Delonghingly as ... Read more
May 28th, 2012
Manufacturer of air purifiers and vacuum cleaners, Oreck, has recently paid out nearly US$700,000 in refunds after allegedly making unsubstantiated claims in its advertising. Known for its television advertising, Oreck allegedly marketed its Halo vacuum cleaner and ProShield Plus portable air purifier as being able to prevent illness in the home by eliminating 99% of household germs through the use of ultraviolet light in the Halo, and ... Read more