Fire caused by heating a home with appliances.

Families in difficult financial situations may be tempted to use their kitchen appliances to heat their homes.

This is dangerous and should never be done.

If you are having difficulties paying your utility bill, please call your utility company.

There are laws in place so no one goes without heat during the winter.

• MainStreet America® is first venue of its kind to include show homes in addition to dining, retail, entertainment and educational opportunities for consumers
• GE appliances are included in several of the venue’s show homes, allowing visitors to see and shop within completely decorated and functional homes

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jan. 31, 2013 — (NYSE: GE) — GE appliances are featured in four homes in the new MainStreet America® shopping and entertainment destination in Spring, Texas. MainStreet America is a first-of-its-kind educational, shopping and entertainment destination centered on the home, where consumers, designers and builders, among others, can shop and get new ideas.

Operating as showrooms, the homes offer visitors the unique opportunity to shop for furnishings and products within the full context of a completely decorated and functional home. The 12 homes in the Park feature a wide range of architectural styles, interior décor and square footage.

“One of the unique highlights of the Park is that guests can access instant information on desired products in each showcase home through their use of our specially designed, hand-held Technological Education Device we call TED,” states Mike Feigin, owner of MainStreet America and Design Tech Homes.

Utilizing the latest in scanning technology, the TED device will allow users to wave over a programmed product tag to initiate audio and/or visual feedback. If visitors are interested in a particular GE appliance, TED will access its list of features, provide buying information and create a virtual shopping list that will be emailed to the visitor.

“MainStreet America offers visitors the opportunity to experience firsthand how appliances would suit their own home,” says Steve Anderson, marketing manager at GE Appliances. “Designers and consumers can envision how appliances would enhance their designs and lives, and the revolutionary setting will make the experience even more enjoyable and valuable.”

GE appliances are featured in four homes in the new MainStreet America®; a first-of-its-kind educational, shopping and entertainment destination in Spring, Texas.

GE has outfitted the homes with a variety of appliances, some of which include:

• 42” Monogram® Outdoor Cooking Center combines 25,000 BTU stainless steel burners that offer precise control across a wide spectrum of temperature settings, and Gourmet Radiant™ trays that ensure even heat distribution and reduce flare-ups.
• Profile™ Built-In Gas Cooktop features a 20,000 BTU tri-ring burner that offers the flexibility of three different burners and an interchangeable griddle that creates instant expanded cook space.
• GeoSpring™ Hybrid Water Heater combines energy-saving heat-pump technology with traditional electric heating systems and saves the average consumer $325 every year on their utility bills.*
• GE® Café™ 24.6 Cu. Ft. Counter-Depth Side-by-Side Refrigerator makes it possible to have the look of a built-in refrigerator without the added expense. Stainless steel sides and modern touches complement your contemporary kitchen from every angle.
• GE Profile Dishwasher with SmartDispense™ Technology features a DeepClean™ cycle with Steam Prewash to remove tough, baked-on soils like egg, rice and oatmeal. Also offers five-stage filtration with Piranha™ hard food disposer, ensuring clean dishes.
•  Monogram Built-In Oven with Advantium®, boasting speedcook, convection, microwave and warming capabilities, delivers oven-quality results up to eight times faster than conventional cooking methods with no preheating.

MainStreet America opens to the public the first week of February 2013. More information on the attraction, including hours and visitor rates, can be found at http://www.mainstreetamerica.com/.

About GE Appliances
GE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. In 2012, GE was named the preferred appliance brand with builders by Builder magazine, and the preferred appliance brand with new-home shoppers by Lifestory Research. For more information on GE Appliances, visit www.ge.com/appliances.

About MainStreet America®
MainStreet America® is a year-round showcase of homes where people will be inspired, informed and empowered to build or remodel their home. Positioned as a truly innovative concept in shopping for new homes and related services, MainStreet America is the only venue of its kind in the country with dining, retail, entertainment and educational opportunities added to the blend of activities. MainStreet America is located in Houston, Texas, one of the nation’s healthiest housing markets making Houston perhaps the perfect locale for unveiling a new beacon of hope symbolic of the promise that the American dream is alive and well. For more information on MainStreet America, visit its Facebook page or follow @MainStAmerica1 on Twitter.

*Based on DOE test procedure and comparison of a 50-gallon standard electric tank water heater using 4879 kWh every year vs. the GeoSpring hybrid water heater using 1830 kWh every year.

There’s a lot buzz surrounding GE Appliances’ new Slate finish and for good reason.

The new look is bold and fresh and sure to be shaking up kitchen decorating for a long time.

Goedeker’s Home Life wanted to learn more about Slate, so we reached out to GE Appliances.

Much to our delight, Chris Bissig, Manager, Concept & Brand Development for GE Appliances, was kind enough to answer a few questions.

For those who haven’t seen Slate, how would you describe it?

CB - “Slate is a warm, grey, low-gloss metallic finish that has a deep and inviting look that exudes refinement and sophistication. It’s a natural complement to the wide spectrum of materials used in today’s modern kitchen designs. We’ve accented the Slate suite of appliances with bold metallic touch points such as handles and knobs – offering more contrast and interest.”

What inspired the idea for Slate?

CB - “Slate is inspired by the rich texture and appearance of stone and is the result of extensive consumer research, listening to designers and customers and our observations on the latest in kitchen design, home furnishings and other consumer products trends. As we talked with people, they said they wanted something different and were tired of stainless steel as the only premium appliance finish.”

As a designer, what were you trying to accomplish with Slate?

CB – “During development, we knew we needed a finish that would have a distinct appearance for someone looking to do a complete kitchen remodel and be versatile enough to replace a single appliance in a consumer’s home. It had to be complimentary with wooden cabinetry and flooring, engineered stone countertops, stone tile and cabinetry hardware. We noticed a lot of metallic handle pulls on cabinetry. We were able to build upon this and used stainless steel touch points throughout the suite – on elements like handles, knobs and dispenser paddles. This also allows the suite to mix and match with other stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.”

Which kitchen styles or decors does Slate compliment?

CB - “For a while now we’ve been watching the trend toward a minimalist approach with appliance design where the appliances blend in more with the overall kitchen décor versus being the focal point. We see stonework, countertops and other kitchen elements taking on a more prominent role in kitchen design. One of our biggest accomplishments on the launch of Slate was creating a finish that was neutral and yet distinctive. As a designer, that was a challenging and rewarding endeavor.”

Why should people branch out, why not just stick with stainless steel appliances?

CB – “When you look at 2011, 35 percent of all appliances sold were stainless steel. We don’t see stainless going away, but we also know that individuality and expressing themselves through their kitchens is important to consumers. Every 15 years or so in the appliance industry we’ve had a major shift in color trends. At GE, we believe there is a segment of consumers who are looking for something new, fresh and different.”

Okay, the million dollar question: Is Slate easy to clean?

CB - “Yes. Slate’s unique matte finish is easy to clean and resists fingerprints.”

Let’s end on a big question, shall we? What’s in the future for GE design?

CB - “At GE, we have lots of new product launches in the works, and our Design team is working to make sure the end user is front and center in our development. Understanding what people want and need is very important to the design of appliances. We are spending a lot of time talking with people and engaging them in research to understand how it might be easier for them to prepare meals, clean up afterwards or wash clothes. These inputs will influence the design of our future products in a big way!”

Thank You!

We’d like to thank Chris for taking the time to answer our questions. Now, we’re even more excited about Slate!

Looking for Slate Appliances?

If so, Goedeker’s can help.  Explore Slate appliances available at Goedeker’s or call us at 1-888-768-1710.

Quick Links and Tips to Buying Appliances Online

Quick Links and Tips to Buying Appliances Online