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Oreck Vacuum Buyer s Guide

Oreck Vacuum Buyer’s Guide

The goal of this article is to cut through the confusing “sales pitches” to give you an honest, no-nonsense, pitch-free examination of the Oreck upright 8lb vacuums, to help you choose the right vacuum cleaner for your needs.

There are four different models that vary greatly in price and features. All of this can get confusing when the only person you can talk to is a commission salesman who wants to sell you the most expensive product. So let’s cut through that and get to the facts:

THE OVERALL DESIGN

All of the upright Oreck vacuums weigh within one pound of each other (8lb or 9lbs). The genius of having such a light vacuum is obvious, but what makes them so special is that there are so few parts to an Oreck. I have serviced nearly every make and model and most of them don’t last because they have more than one hundred little parts, all made of cheap materials. The Oreck Vacuum has less than 30 parts in all. They are made of the same plastic materials that other vacuums are made of, but put simply, they have less parts to break, so they do last longer. This is not to say the Oreck product line is not without its flaws. We will cover those in detail later on.

BAGLESS VS BAG SYSTEM

The bagless vacuum is the latest fad in the vacuum industry. But it is a fad that is dying as quick as it started, because the bagless vacuums require you to handle all of the dust and muck that you collected in your vacuum bags. Cleaning out the dust and grime is no fun. The Oreck vacuum bag system is great because when you go to remove the bag it seals itself off. I will warn you however, that the bags are not cheap. A pack of eight bags is over $20, but they are very big bags that last a long time and that pack of eight will last a small family around a year. So all in all, it is worth it, not to have all of the dust mites you collect re-exposed to the air, each time you have to clean out the bagless canister.

THE WATTAGE/VOLTAGE GAME

Many vacuum manufacturers try to hype the power of their vacuums by displaying how much wattage they use. This is merely a ploy by the vacuum industry and has nothing to do with a vacuum’s performance. So many companies will purposefully up the wattage that a vacuum motor takes from the wall, just to make theirs seem more powerful. The problem with that is the extra energy just gets trapped in the motor, makes it run too hot and burns out motors fast. David Oreck was wise in avoiding this sales trap. David Oreck’s vacuums are actually more energy efficient because of Oreck’s decision not to worry about wattage. In fact, Mr. Oreck ’s most powerful motor takes less watts to run than his smaller motor.

WHAT ARE THE TANGIBLE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE ORECK XL MODELS?

The four Oreck upright vacuums are as follows:

ONE SPEED MODELS:
CLASSIC Model - Sells for $299
DELUXE Model - Sells for $399
TWO SPEED MODELS:
ULTRA Model - Sells for $549
XL21 (Also sometimes called the Titanium Series) - Sells for $749

TWO SPEED VS ONE SPEED

Let me start off my dispelling a myth. There is functionally NO REAL DIFFERENCE between having one speed or two speeds on your Oreck Vacuum. I don’t care what they tell you, I have used both types on all surfaces and the speeds don’t make a lick of difference! None of the Oreck vacuums adjust for different carpet types, but unless you have the really long shag style of carpet you don’t need adjustments to your vacuum. They are merely extra parts that will break in time.

COMPARING THE THREE ORECK SWEEPERS WITH THE SAME MOTOR

Let me also reveal something they won’t tell you: The Classic, Deluxe, and Ultra models all use THE EXACT SAME MOTOR! Only the XL21 uses a different motor. So let’s first focus on the three models that use the same motor.

The three Oreck vacuums that use the “armatek 3-in-1” motor range in price from $299-$549! So surely there are differences, right? Well, yes and no. There are differences, but when you compare them to the prices, you have to assess whether the differences are worth the extra money.

Since they use the same motor and the speeds don’t matter, you might be tempted just to buy the cheapest model. I would advise against that in this case. The reason is simple, THERE IS NO FILTRATION ON THE CLASSIC MODEL. This is important. With no filtration, you’ll get some nasty odors when you vacuum and the vacuum won’t trap the dust mites and bacteria. Plus, the handle on the classic model isn’t very comfortable. So for the $100 difference, it is worth moving up to the Deluxe model.

The differences between the Deluxe and Ultra model aren’t worth the extra investment. Yes, you get a 10 year warranty. The tune-ups are really a waste of time. They change a few seals, put a new belt on and polish the armature of the motor, but nothing all that important. However, the Oreck vacuum like all vacuums will break. So if warranty is important to you (and it should be, since Oreck does stand behind it’s vacuums), then read the next section comparing the Deluxe to the XL21.

THE XL21…IS IT REALLY WORTH $750???

Functionally and value for the dollar, we’ve already established that the Deluxe model is the best model to go with between the lower three vacuums, if money is your greatest concern in buying an Oreck. So is the XL21 really worth the extra cost?? Well, let me tell you the differences between the models and you can decide; based on your needs and your pocketbook.

Oreck came out with his first vacuum over 40 years ago. It is the same design that he has been using all these years. The three models we previously discussed all use the same basic design. The XL21 is the first major redesign in over 40 years. So, what did they redesign:

1) The original (or let’s call it the deluxe) model of Oreck vacuum has a metal tube running from the base to the handle. These handles break over time. They keep a good supply on hand in the back, because they know they will have to repair them pretty often. The new XL21 has a redesigned round tube that doesn’t break.

2) The Deluxe model uses the standard motor. The XL21 uses a new motor that is far more powerful. The XL21 also has a larger fan and intake tube. So it sucks with far more power. Plus, the new motor is more energy efficient, so it takes less money to run.

3) The rollerbrush on the XL21 is also redesigned with shorter and firmer bristles. This makes the XL21 MORE EFFICIENT IN PICKING UP PET HAIR!

4) All of these improvements add up to the biggest improvement: self-propelling. The XL21 is a self-propelled model. Vacuums that have self-propelling all have a second motor in them to propel them. That causes them to be around 30lbs. The XL21 mimics the same propelling by utilizing the more powerful motor and firmer roller brush. I actually like the way Oreck’s “self-assisting” feature works, compared to the actual self-propelling vacuums, because the self-assisting feel doesn’t fight you like the other vacuums do. However, to maintain the self-assistance of the Oreck XL21, you need to keep a tight, fresh belt on your vacuum, which means you should change the belt on it every six months. This sounds expensive and difficult, but actually, the XL21 comes with 21 annual tune-ups. So they change the belt on the vacuum once a year and they are supposed to put a new belt on the bottom holder for you to change out the other six month period.

SUMMARY

The Deluxe model has a five year warranty and costs $400. So roughly, you are paying $80 per year for vacuuming peace. The XL21 costs $750 for 21 years of warranty and service. So that is only $35 per year. No vacuum will last 21 years and the motors on these vacuums certainly wont last that long. But I can tell you from personal experience, Oreck DOES back up its warranties. The local stores have no problem putting new parts on your warranted vacuums because they get fully reimbursed by the Corporation. So if you can afford the initial investment, I do believe that in the long run, you are saving money by buying a vacuum that also performs much better. But not everyone can afford that much for a vacuum, I know I can’t, so if the XL21 is out of your budget, then the Deluxe model is the best value for the price.

Matthew Freeman is a former store manager of an Oreck Vacuum Home Care Center. He recommends the following resources: Nashville Hair Transplants and Tooth Whitening.

Oreck Vacuum Buyer’s Guide / Author: Matthew Freeman

Want to Get Rid of Zits within Few Days

Want to Get Rid of Zits within Few Days

More and more people suffer the on set of zits everyday. Years back, most people thought that zits are only suffered by teenagers but that is simply not true. These are some of the tips on how to get rid of zits you can try to help you on your way to wage war against zits.

Using an acne curing mask that you wear overnight is a great way to stop that zit dead in its tracks and will help get rid of the zits overnight. Most acne masks contain acne fighting medication as well as other ingredients that promote general skin health. Since they stay on all night long, the zit is literally bombarded to death, while the rest of your skin is gently moisturized and exfoliated. In the morning, the zit will be noticeably smaller and your skin will have a healthy, warm glow.

Acne Treatment. Treat acne with specialized formulas that are known to give a satisfying result. One of the best acne treatments is Proactiv Refining Mask. It is a medicated skin treatment that is developed by dermatologists. It is deep cleaning, refining skin that’s prone to pimples.

The more sensitive your skin, the lower concentration of active ingredient you will need. Choosing a product that is too strong could actually make the situation worse by over drying the area and causing the skin to react by increasing oil production. This can end up causing more acne. If you have sensitive skin, stick with the milder formulations.

Take aspirins in a cup or bowl and crush them. Add a few drops of warm/hot water, aloe-vera gel or honey and make a thick paste. Apply on your face and wash after 15 min.

Whiteheads: Pores get completely blocked by sebum (oil), bacteria, and dead skin cells. The combination looks white on the skin’s surface. Though these things are tempting to squeeze, it’s generally better to leave any kind of acne eruption untouched. But if you must squeeze or pop one, make certain your hands are clean and that you mop the site afterward to remove any residue.

Don’t poke, prod, scratch, or squeeze any zit. Excessive touching of a zit will only irritate it, causing it to become even more inflamed and last longer. The bacteria from a zit can also linger on your hands and beneath your fingernails, spreading to other areas of your face and body and causing more zits.

If you notice a zit just before going to bed, wash your face with a mild soap and dab toothpaste (not gel) over it. Wash off the dried paste in the morning. The chances are that either the zit will vanish or atleast be toned down.

Zits are not caused by dirt or surface skin oil. So scrubbing your face will not give you clear skin any faster. In fact, if you wash or scrub your face too vigorously, you can irritate your skin and make the acne worse. Best solution? Wash your face gently with a mild soap or cleanser. And stop zits before they start by using a combination topical and internal treatment for continuously clear skin.

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Want to Get Rid of Zits within Few Days / Author: peterhutch

AXA s Independent Travel Insurance

AXA’s Independent Travel Insurance

Insurance provider, AXA has launched an independent travel insurance, despite the present financial turmoil’s that are due to the credit crunch.

In spite of the increasing economic gloom, the holiday season is approaching and millions of Brits will be preparing to travel abroad over the summer months. But AXA warns that increasing numbers of people arranging their own holidays may be leaving themselves exposed despite taking out travel insurance.

Over the last few years the number of Independent Travellers has overtaken the number of Package Holiday Travellers. Internet access and low-cost airlines have helped escalate this trend - in 2006 over 16 million Independent Travellers headed overseas for holidays between April and September.

However, insurance provision has not kept pace with the changing profile of the British holidaymaker and Independent Travellers, can find that there are gaps in their insurance cover, which AXA are addressing with their Independent Travellers cover, available with AXA travel insurance from their website, axa.co.uk/travelinsurance.

The new product is an optional extension which costs as little as an additional £10 for annual European cover. It covers travellers for a number of areas such as problems with flight cancellations or delays, missed connections or the customer being denied boarding.

With a package holiday, the tour operator or travel agent is legally required to make suitable alternative arrangements for such eventualities, but the independent traveller must make and pay for their own arrangements.

Edward Dutton, AXA’s Personal Insurance Director said: “We are aware from our own claims area that Independent Travellers have run into problems with their travel insurance and a recent report from Defaqto underlined the need for insurers to offer cover that helps customers when things go wrong - the things that would normally be picked up by a tour operator or travel agent if it were a package holiday.

Dutton continued: “We believe that the rise of the Independent Traveller is something that all insurers should be addressing; as the Ombudsman pointed out in his latest report - ‘There is clearly a mismatch in what insurers intend to offer and the cover that consumers believe they are buying.’”

The additional cover offered by this optional extension includes, delayed departure compensation for delays exceeding 5 hours occurring at the departure point of any connecting flights or booked public transportation on both the outbound and return journeys.

Ruth is an author of several articles pertaining to Travel Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.

AXA’s Independent Travel Insurance / Author: Ruth

Both Foof Chair and Love Sac Are Similar

Both Foof Chair and Love Sac Are Similar

Foof chair is a good and effective type of furniture which has lots of benefits. If a person is going for shopping and want to choose a bean chair or furniture for children and teen the appropriate choice is this type of chair. These chairs are also known as poof chair and FUF chair. It is type of bean chair but it doesn’t have any bean. These chairs are made by using small pieces of memory foam which is commonly used for making sofa sets cushions. The original name of this chair is poof chair, which is named by the manufacturer comfort research. The name was change to foof for some reason.

Then the name of a foof chair was changed from foof chair to FUF chair. But the chair remains the same and no physical change was made; only the name was changed. Both foof chair and love sac are same in appearance. Both foof chair and love sac are made of memory foam and both will come in different size and shape. The bean bag chair is entirely different from foof chair and love sac. The bean bag is made of polystyrene beads and the foof chair and love sac is made of memory foam. While comparing the bean bag chair and foofchair and love sac the chair will harder than foof chair and love sac and the chair have a tendency to flatten by passage of time.

These bags are very comfortable chair, which can be used in homes for getting a relaxed sitting position. Love sac is a variety of bean bag chair but they are entirely different from bean bag in appearance and quality. Lovesac is a future oriented bean bags which is made in huge size and intended with over comfort. The main advantage of lovesacs over these bags is the flexibility of love sac.

The bean bag will fold and flatten by time. But the love sac will be bouncing back as people sit and will not be flattened. Bean bags can make by us at home by using fabrics and foam. The filling used for making love sac is polystyrene which is very soft material and provide a flexible environment for sleeping. The use polystyrene will make the love sac a comfortable means for sitting and getting a relaxed sleep for those who sit in the love sac.

Bean bag is a comfortable chair which can be used in homes for getting a relaxed sitting position. Lovesac is a future oriented bean bags which is made in huge size and intended with over comfort.

Both Foof Chair and Love Sac Are Similar / Author: pattrickjhonson