J.D. Power Ranks Wolf #1!

As one of their preferred trade partners, we at Jenkins Custom Homes want to congratulate Wolf Appliance for taking top honors in the J.D. Power and Associates rankings for Range/Cooktop/Oven!

The press release states that “The Kitchen Appliance Satisfaction Study measures customer satisfaction in three product categories: dishwashers; refrigerators; and cooktops/ranges/ovens.  Customer satisfaction is measured based on performance in six factors: performance and reliability (including how well the appliance functions, noise level and energy efficiency); features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); ease of use; styling and feel; price; and warranty…Among manufacturers of cooktops, ranges, and ovens, Wolf ranks highest with a score of 812, and performs particularly well in five of six factors: ease of use; performance and reliability; styling and feel; features; and warranty.”  Congratulations, Wolf!

Our Favorite Dishwasher: The Miele

Dishwashers are one of those appliances in our kitchens that we tend to ignore – until they stop working.  Recently, I had to shop for a new dishwasher and thought it might be useful to share a little about why I chose the Miele Optima II over the competition.

While there are many good dishwashers available, I liked the Miele because of its built-in water softener.  It is a well-known fact that water that has been softened cleans dishes better and leaves fewer spots and residue.  So Miele added a device to their dishwashers that “measures the hardness of the water intake at every stage of the program and manipulates it, when necessary, with a salt additive that makes the water optimal for dishwashing.”   How’s that for intuitive?

The second reason I chose the Miele was because it came with a quietness guarantee.  Again, quoting the website: “Remember, with Miele, your total satisfaction is our top priority. If you are not completely satisfied that the dishwasher is quieter and cleans better than your previous unit, Miele will refund the full purchase price of the product.”  No questions asked.

Finally, the Miele has a top rack just for silverware – and it holds A LOT of silverware!  Since we use a lot of paper plates in the summer time, we can end up with a dishwasher full of just dirty silverware, making this feature particularly nice for our family.

Of course, we realize there are many dishwashers to choose from – this just happens to be the one that works best for us so  we wanted to share it with you!

For more information on Miele dishwashers, click here: http://www.mieleusa.com/usa/dishwashers/product.asp?cat=2&model=503&series=120&nav=20&snav=70&tnav=73&oT=125

Appliance Rebate Program

Due to the time-sensitive nature of this post, we have chosen to postpone the second installment of “How Safe Is Your Safe” until later this week. Stay tuned!

If you are in the market for a new appliance, I have great news! The U.S. Department of Energy has allotted $300 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to be used by individual states toward the purchase of new ENERGY STAR qualified appliances. “Under this program, eligible consumers can receive rebates to purchase new energy-efficient appliances when they replace used appliances” (source: U. S. Department of Energy).

The program varies widely by state, so see the U. S. Department of Energy website for specifics. For instance, our state – Texas – begins the rebate reservation period next week:

The reservation period starts on April 5, 2010. The mail-in rebates will apply to eligible appliances purchased between April 16 and April 25, 2010. The 10-day period will coincide with Earth Day. Consumers will have 60 days from reservation date to install the appliance(s) and submit their paperwork for the rebate. (source: SECO)

Details vary by state, but in Texas, rebates are available for clothes washers and dryers, refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers, room air conditioners, central air conditioners and heat pumps, and hot water heaters – all of which must fall within specifications detailed in the following article: http://www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us/arra/rebate/docs/SECO_ApplianceRebateFlyer_03_09_10.pdf. There is also a further credit for recycling old appliances, and possibly a city rebate over and above the state rebate being offered.

For instance, in Austin, TX, an example from a local appliance store, Wilson AC & Appliance, lists the Whirlpool Frontload Washer, sale priced at $619, as eligible for $180 state rebate plus an additional City of Austin rebate of $150, bringing the price down to $289 + tax! There is even a further rebate of $75 available for those who recycle their old appliances, bringing the price down to only $214 + tax!  This machine lists for $749 on the Whirlpool site.  That’s $535 in savings!

So take a few minutes to click on the sites listed above and see if you are eligible for a rebate. Not only will you be doing yourself a favor on the initial cost, but these appliances are designed to save you money on energy costs over the long term! It’s a win-win!

The Best In Luxury Appliances Joins The Best in Luxury Home Building

Perfected through seven decades of use in professional kitchens, Wolf appliances provides the ability to make any dish possible, while Sub-Zero, the innovative leaders in preservation, keeps foods fresher longer – all while consuming less power than a 100 watt light bulb.

You can experience both of these top-of-the-line appliances – hands on and in person – at either of their two Texas showrooms: one in Dallas and the other within walking distance of the Galleria Mall in Houston. These showrooms offer a variety of cooking classes, wine tastings, training seminars, as well as use and care classes.  Just visit http://www.subzero-wolfsc.com/showrooms/ to see a copy of the current schedule, but note that the classes fill up 2-3 months in advance, so plan ahead!

Jenkins Custom Homes, the Best Custom Builder in Texas, has recently partnered with Sub-Zero/Wolf, the best in luxury appliances, giving Jenkins’ clients special attention as well as pricing.  Jenkins clients will have the opportunity to experience private cooking demonstrations with Sub-Zero/Wolf Executive Chef, Garth Blackburn, on the same appliances that they have chosen for their new home.  They will also have the opportunity for in-home use and care demonstrations by Sub-Zero/Wolf after they are in their new custom home.  Jenkins Custom Homes strives to build partnerships with the best in the business in order to deliver the best possible product.  That is just one of the reasons the Texas Association of Builders named Jenkins Custom Homes the “Custom Builder of the Year”, this year and in 2006.  Jenkins & Sub-Zero/Wolf -- a perfect partnership for today’s luxury client.

Watch the video taken in our office this week with Amy Kerr, Territory Manager for Sub-Zero/Wolf.

International Builder’s Show

This year at the International Builder’s Show, we took our entire team.  It was so fun to attend seminars, walk the booths, and see the sights of Las Vegas together!  We truly enjoy being together and have such admiration and respect for each other.  I know we all feel enthusiastic about what we learned and are excited to bring it back and apply it.

One of the more interesting booths this year was the Kohler booth, not because of the plumbing fixtures, although they were great as always.  However, the real attraction for me this year was “Ed”, the guy from Extreme Home Makeovers…well, not him personally…rather, what he was showing.  It was a backup whole-home generator.  The best part about this generator is that they have partnered up with the company that manufactures the electrical panel to create a generator-ready electrical panel for very little additional cost.  What this means for you and me is that we can build our custom home with this panel and then decide later (if and when electrical shortages occur) to add the generator.  Adding a generator used to be an extremely costly proposition.  This makes it possible to prepare for it but not invest in it until it’s really needed or desired.

Stay tuned for more posts to come on the International Builder’s Show.  We learned so much this year that I will have to break it down into smaller posts.

About the Author:  Bethany Jenkins is Vice President of Jenkins Custom Homes and married to the owner, Shan Jenkins.  To read more about Bethany, check out her bio page here.

Is It A Drawer Or Is It A Microwave? It’s Both!

The new microwave drawer, manufactured by Sharp, is as pretty as it is practical.  Located down low, where you can actually see what you’re doing, this microwave drawer is the first really big breakthrough in microwave ovens in years!  Just think of the applications for wheelchair accessibility and safety.  Of course, there’s no such thing as a perfectly safe appliance but being able to see, say, boiling hot liquid BEFORE you touch it couldn’t hurt.

And let’s face it -- who doesn’t use their microwave more than any other appliance in the kitchen?  The best part about this microwave is that it gives homeowners an option when trying to decide where to place this all-important appliance.  In the case of many, the kitchen island is an perfect spot.

And because the drawer is fully automated, one touch of a button (or gentle tug) opens -- and closes -- the drawer.  No more slamming the microwave shut -- this makes life in the kitchen quieter.  (If you have little ones, you know how important this is!)  Because this microwave offers greater functionality to the average homeowner’s kitchen, it will certainly enhance your lifestyle.  Now it’s your turn -- what do you have in your kitchen or what have you seen that is your favorite feature?