The potential hazards of shoveling snow are well known, especially for folks over 50 who may not be in tip-top shape. But in a recent test, Consumer Reports found that operating a beefy snow blower may not be much easier on the body or the heart than hoisting a shovelful of snow.

After a recent snowstorm that dumped several inches on our headquarters in Yonkers, New York, we set up technician Eric Hado with the Polar H7 Heart Rate Sensor, which relays its readings via Bluetooth to a smart phone app. Then we roped off two identical segments of a paved road—about the size of a typical driveway—and had him shovel the first side wearing the Polar as it monitored his heart rate. After returning to his resting heart rate, he cleared the second patch of road with a $1,300 Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890 31AH55Q, one of the most powerful models in our snow blower Ratings.

Hado, 57 and medium build, says he's in reasonable shape and engages in a light workout once or twice a week. Before our experiment, Hado determined his resting heart rate and his target heart-rate zone, above which someone suffering from heart disease could be at potential risk. In our tests, he worked briskly at both tasks, as someone rushing to get to work might do.

While Hado shoveled, the heart monitor recorded his average heart rate at an average 152 beats per minute, near his maximum recommended heart rate. But while he cleared the identical patch with the roughly 285-pound Troy-Bilt, which maneuvers fairly easily, his heart rate was lower, at a 135 bpm average—closer to the upper end of his target zone. In the previous week he’d hit similar bpm levels while doing leg and bench presses—and working his rowing machine.

Of course, it would take a formal study to confirm whether using a shovel or snow blower is easier on the heart. But our brief experiment at least suggests that if you don't exercise regularly you should get a checkup before shoveling or operating a heavy piece of equipment like a snow blower. Even then, take your time when clearing your driveway or sidewalk.

Need a new snow blower?

Due to the prolonged winter weather, we’ve seen snow blowers selling briskly at nearby home improvement stores. At Lowe's we found one selling for $50 off, and the discounts are bound to get deeper still with spring only a few weeks away. In addition to the Troy-Bilt and the comparably performing Ariens 921032, $1,300, consider the compact, 24-inch two-stage Craftsman 88173, $680, and the single-stage, 21-inch Toro Power Clear 721E, $570. Be sure to check our snow blower buying guide before viewing our snow blower Ratings of more than 110 models.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Most people don’t think about their water heaters until there’s a problem or they run out of hot water. If that happens in the next few months, you should be aware of new federal regulations that require water heaters to be more energy efficient. While this may be good for your wallet, it could make choosing a new water heater a bit confusing. Here are the details.

As of April 16, water heaters must comply with new Department of Energy efficiency standards. The water heaters used in most homes won’t seem that different and will get a modest boost in efficiency, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. But larger units -- those 55 gallons or more -- will need to shift to new technologies to achieve the efficiency gains. Doing so can cut utility bills by 25 to 50 percent depending on the technology used.

While this may seem like a bit of governmental gobbledygook, it’s good news for homeowners because water heating amounts to nearly 20 percent of a home’s energy costs. The new standards apply to gas (50 percent of U.S. households), electric (41 percent), and oil residential tank water heaters. Most tankless water heaters already meet efficiency standards.

The typical home has a water heater that holds 55 gallons of water or less. For such units, the new standards will increase efficiency by an average of 4 percent. According to the ACEEE, water heaters that comply with the new standards are already on the market, including models from A.O. Smith, Bradford White, and Rheem.

Water heaters that hold 55 gallons or more will see bigger efficiency gains. But this is where it may get a little confusing since to attain those gains the larger water heaters will need to use technologies that are less familiar to consumers including electric heat pump and gas condensing technology. Also known as hybrid waters, heat pump water heaters transfer heat from the surrounding air to the water. The ACEEE says that condensing water heaters are designed to reclaim escaping heat by cooling exhaust gases below 140 degrees F, where water vapor in the exhaust condenses into water.

So what does this mean for homeowners? Simply put, if you’re replacing a water heater that holds less than 55 gallons, the new one may be an inch or too larger and can likely be placed where the old one was unless it was in a very tight spot such as a closet. But if you’re replacing a larger water heater, you’ll have to do your homework as the new units may need more space. Before making a purchase, consult your plumber or contractor.

For more information, check the websites of the ACEEE and the DOE as well as the manufacturer of the water heater you are considering. And for more information on water heaters, check Consumer Reports' water heater buying guide.

-- Mary H.J. Farrell (@mhjfarrell on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

It may be several weeks before homeowners across much of the nation can see their lawns. And, after being weighed down with snow, the grass won't need cutting right away. But with spring arriving in two weeks, it's a good time to get your mower or tractor ready. That way it will start when you need it. Here’s how to get your gear in shape:

Fuel comes first. Any gas in your walk-behind mower’s fuel tank? If you added stabilizer before the winter, you should be able to start the mower right up. Similarly, if you ran the mower dry last fall, you can add stabilized gas now. Otherwise, siphon out the degraded gas before adding new. Tractors, with their larger engines, are less susceptible to fuel problems. Still, fuel up with gas to which you’ve added stabilizer.

Check or change oil. If you didn’t change the oil at the end of last season, do it now—a mower can overheat and fail prematurely from dirty or insufficient oil. For a mower, change the oil when the fuel tank is empty to avoid spilling. Position an auto-style drain pan beside the mower on the side of the dipstick cap. Remove the cap and tip the mower over the pan to drain the oil. Refill to the dipstick marking. A tractor needs an oil change only as specified in your manual. At the very least, check the level and add as necessary.

Sharpen those blades. Dull blades rip rather than slice the grass, and that makes your engine work harder than it needs to. To remove your mower’s blade, wear heavy leather gloves, remove the spark plug wire, and jam in a short 2x4 to keep the blade from turning as you loosen the bolts. (An outdoor-gear dealer will sharpen the blade for about $10.) Even tractor blades should be sharpened three times a year.

Mind the electrical. Your spark plug needs changing about every 100 hours of  operation; if not, it can affect engine startup and overall performance. If you don’t know when you last changed it, do it before using the mower. With the mower off, remove the spark-plug cap and use a socket wrench with a spark-plug socket to remove the old plug. Take it to an auto-parts store or outdoor-gear dealer and get a new one. For a tractor, most manuals instruct you to keep the battery indoors on a trickle charger. If you didn't, fully recharge the battery before starting the season, or you’ll reduce battery life. The engine alone can’t fully recharge the battery.

Change or clean filters. A dusty filter won’t prevent your mower or tractor from starting, but a clean one protects the engine. On your mower, it’s paper and can be removed in seconds. Take the old one to an outdoor power gear dealer if you’re not sure which one to get. For a tractor, replace your carburetor’s air filter if it’s paper. If it’s foam, wash it in soap and water. Rinse and squeeze it dry. Some manuals suggest you also oil a foam filter with engine oil. If so, squeeze the filter dry again before you reinstall it. Tractors have a fuel filter, too. Check your manual for the proper maintenance schedule and procedure.

Need a new mower or tractor?

We’ve completed our tests of about 30 new walk-behind mowers, lawn tractors, and zero-turn-radius riders and will soon be adding the models to our lawn mower Ratings. In the meantime, check out our lawn mower buying guide for mowers, tractors, and riders.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The four-door French-door category in our refrigerator Ratings, just a handful deep a few years ago, has swelled to 15 models, a third of which make our recommended refrigerator list. The winner’s podium used to belong solely to Samsung, but Kenmore crashed through in our latest round of testing, making it the current brand to beat across all bottom-freezer categories.

The Kenmore Elite 72483, $3,600, combines superb temperature control, energy efficiency, and quietness to earn one of the highest overall scores in our refrigerator Ratings. Its counter-height middle drawer features multiple temperature settings and its slim in-door ice maker frees up the top shelf for storage. The new Kenmore shares the top spot among four-door refrigerators with the Samsung Chef Collection RF34H9960S4, $5,400, a true four-door refrigerator with a lower chamber that can convert from freezer to refrigerator.

Among traditional French-door bottom-freezers, the Kenmore Elite 74093, $3,400, leads the pack. In fact, it’s currently the highest-scoring model out of nearly 325 models in our Ratings—though that could change at any time, since our refrigerator test lab is always running. The three-door Kenmore has many of the same internal technologies as its four-door brand mate, including dual evaporators, which help keep food fresh by maintaining optimal levels of humidity.

The Kenmore Elite 79043 conventional bottom-freezer, $1,510, rounds out the French-door trifecta for Kenmore, though it’s officially tied for the top spot with the LG LDC24370ST, $1,650.

In addition to performance, we also assess refrigerator brand reliability by surveying tens of thousands of subscribers about their refrigerator purchases. Kenmore gets solid marks in the bottom-freezer category, as does Samung and LG. Electrolux and Frigidaire are two brands to avoid, though neither makes our current recommended list in the category, so that shouldn’t be hard to do.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The hour of sleep you'll lose Sunday morning, March 8, after your clock springs ahead might do more than just make you cranky. Some research suggests it translates into more car crashes and possibly even heart attacks on Monday morning, thanks to worsened sleep deprivation.

For most people, losing an hour in the spring is harder than adjusting to the extra hour we get in the fall. It's similar to jet lag, in which traveling east, like from California to New York or New York to London, is harder than travel in the opposite direction. And sometimes getting your sleep out of sync for just a day or two can trigger sleep problems that linger for days or even weeks.

But a few simple steps might help smooth the transition, and prevent one night's bad sleep from escalating into longer lasting problem.

1. Don't take a nap on Sunday

For many people, Sunday is nap day, a chance to catch up for a busy work week, and maybe a late night out on Saturday. But for this Sunday at least, try to skip the nap. That way, you'll be more likely to fall asleep early, making it easier to wake up early tomorrow.

2. Exercise

Working out might also help tucker you out, and exercise, especially several hours before bed time, seems to improve sleep.

3. Get outside early

A little sun on your face, especially early in the day,  can help your body's circadian rhythm get back in sync. But try to avoid late afternoon sun. That could have the opposite effect, and keep you up even later.

4. Embrace your new schedule

Try to eat meals at your usual time, and follow other habits according to schedule, too. That will help you adapt to the time switch faster.

5. Be alert

Take a little extra time on Monday morning to get yourself out the door, and pay extra attention on the road. After all, you won't be the only drowsy driver on the road.

For more on improving your quality of sleep, read about the secrets of good sleepers and our Best Buy Drugs advice for sleep problems. And if you're in the market for a new bed, check our latest Ratings of mattresses, retailers, and brands.

—Joel Keehn

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The family room had its day, so did the great room. But if ever there was a room that needs rebranding, it’s the laundry room. The very words conjure up images of a drab place where dirty clothes pile up—sort of like a huge hamper with a door. More and more homeowners are rethinking this space to better integrate the laundry room into living areas. In larger houses the layout of the laundry room may resemble a kitchen while in smaller homes it may be tucked away in a bathroom.

“We’re seeing a split in tastes between boomers and millennials—large, showy houses for boomers and smaller, more efficient houses for millennials,” says James Roche, CEO of Houseplans.com, an online database of ready-made house blueprints. “In larger laundry rooms we’re seeing an island in the middle—real places that are beautiful and functional—a Pinterestization of laundry rooms. And in smaller homes a laundry room may be combined with another room—a mud room or bathroom.”

Either way, the dimensions of the washing machine and clothes dryer are critical, as is the space needed for the dryer vent. Roche adds that some homeowners are installing a washer and dryer off the kitchen and another smaller pair near the master bedroom. That’s one way to keep the laundry moving. Another is to choose a washer with a large or even jumbo capacity and a dryer to go with it. Here’s a laundry list of recommended washers, dryers, and detergents from the experts at Consumer Reports.

Top pick high-efficiency top-loaders

Samsung WA48H7400AP, $900
LG WT5680HVA, $950
Others to consider:
Samsung WA45H7000AW, $700
Maytag Bravos XL MVWB725BW, $800

Top pick agitator top-loaders

Whirlpool WTW4850BW, $580
GE GTWN5650FWS, $650

Top pick front-loaders

LG WM8500HVA, $1,450
Kenmore Elite 41073, $1,350
Others to consider:
Whirlpool Duet WFW87HEDW, $950
Kenmore Elite 41472, $700

Top pick electric dryers

Samsung DV56H9100ED, $1,500
Samsung DV56H9000EP, $1,500
Others to consider:
Kenmore 81382, $800
LG DLE1001W, $650

Top pick laundry detergents

Tide Plus Ultra Stain Release
Tide HE Plus Bleach Alternative
Member’s Mark Ultimate Clean (Sam’s Club)
Wisk Deep Clean
Tide Plus ColdWater Clean HE

Best matching washers and dryers

If you’re set on buying a matching washing machine and dryer, see “The best matching washers and dryers.” And for all the details, see our ratings of washing machines, clothes dryers, and laundry detergents. If you have any questions, e-mail me at kjaneway@consumer.org.

—Kimberly Janeway

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

A lot has been said about sprucing up the entrance to your house to improve its curb appeal. But when choosing a new door and lock, make sure you’re not also creating an attractive target for break-ins. In Consumer Reports past tests of entry doors, most eventually failed when our testers used a battering ram, regardless of what the door was made from. That means the lock you choose can be the key to your safety.

To be safe and secure, Consumer Reports recommends you do the following:

• Use a lock with a 1-inch-long dead bolt and a reinforced-metal box strike.
• Install the lock with 3-inch-long mounting screws to lodge in the framing beyond the doorjamb.
• Do the same with the door that leads from the garage into the interior of your house.
• Any dead-bolt lock is better than the common key-in-knob variety, which can easily be opened with a credit card.
  

The dead bolts we tested are single-cylinder and operate with a thumbturn. High-security locks have hardened cylinders, unique pin configurations, and other defenses. Our testers spent weeks prying, hammering, picking, pummeling, and drilling. Here are three to consider.

High-security lock. Medeco Maxum 11*603, $190. It costs significantly more than a standard door lock, but this high-security winner excelled in all our tests, resisting picking, kicking-in, and drilling admirably

Standard door lock. Kwikset 980, $30. This standard door lock topped our tests. It came with a sturdy strike plate and resisted all of our assaults—including picking and kicking-in—except for drilling.

Connected door lock. Schlage Camelot Touchscreen, $200. This top-rated, app-enabled connected door lock withstood our simulated kick-in test admirably, but a cordless drill disabled it in two minutes.

A caution. Double-cylinder dead-bolt locks need a key to open whether you’re inside or outside. Homeowners like them because a burglar can’t simply break the glass and reach in to unlock the door. But some municipalities ban them because they may make it harder to get out in an emergency. Be sure to check the requirements with your building department and, if you install one, always leave a key within arm’s reach of the interior lock.

—Adapted from Your New Home, published by Consumer Reports

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

You often hear stand-alone freezers described as big white boxes because, well, that's what they usually are. And why not, given their location in basements, garages, and other utilitarian parts of the home? But just as washers and dryers are emerging from the dark, thanks to the trend in upper-floor laundry rooms, more freezers are seeing the light of day. At least that's the pitch from manufacturers, who are designing stylish freezers designed to work anywhere in your home.

We just tested one of these new-look freezers, the Frigidaire FFFH17F4QT upright freezer, $800. The claimed 16.6 cubic-foot freezer features a slate finish, a look that's also popping up on more refrigerators, as a softer alternative to stainless steel. Inside the unit, color-coordinated baskets and adjustable dividers are designed to help with organization, while bright LED lighting can help you find items more quickly.  

Storage features and design flourishes are all well and good, but if a freezer doesn't maintain consistent temperatures, your frozen food will suffer. Fortunately, the Frigidaire aced our temperature tests and it delivered superb energy efficiency, which was good enough for a spot on our recommended list. It's also self-defrosting, so you won't have to remember to do this time-consuming task by hand.    

Any downsides? Like many self-defrost freezers, the Frigidaire FFFH17F4QT is fairly noisy, which could be an issue if you do plan to keep it in a living space, as opposed to the basement or garage. And it was subpar in our power outage test, measuring a freezer's ability to stay cold after the electricity goes out. If you plan to stock up on meats or other pricey foods, and blackouts are common, consider the Frigidaire FFU17M1QW, $700, a newly tested manual-defrost upright freezer that has one of the highest scores in our freezer Ratings  for withstanding power outages.

—Daniel DiClerico (@dandiclerico on Twitter)  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Some call it March madness, for others it’s cabin fever—those final weeks of winter when you start itching to spruce up your home. Painting a room or two is an inexpensive way to freshen a space. Some of the best interior paints tested by Consumer Reports start at $32 a gallon. And Rico De Paz, Consumer Reports’ longtime paint expert, says his favorite tools will help you paint like a pro. Here's what you need.

Metal putty knife. This is where your paint job starts. Scrape off old dried-on paint bumps and those raised spots from nail hole edges.

Spackling compound. It’s got to be lightweight and fast drying. Skip the putty knife; you’re more likely to go crazy with the spackle. Use your finger and apply just a dab to nail holes then smooth it out.  

Scrub sponge. It not only wipes away grime, but sands small imperfections and roughens the surface, improving paint adhesion. Use the rough side of the sponge and a mix of water and nonsudsing cleaner such as Spic and Span to clean your walls; sudsy soaps leave a slick film, making it difficult for the paint to adhere. Then wipe away excess water with the smooth side of the sponge.

Pour spout. This reusable snap-on spout fits standard paint cans and prevents paint from running down the side of the can. And the rim of the can stays cleans so the lid won’t stick.

Roller, cover, and paint-tray liner. Nine-inch paint rollers are often what you’ll see at home centers, but De Paz says 7-inch rollers are easier to control and handle and a better fit for a standard size pan. He buys his online. For less paint splatter go with a short nap roller, a ¼-inch nap does the job. Using a disposable paint-tray liner makes clean up easier.  

Synthetic bristle sash brush. An angled brush works well, especially in corners. Long or short handle? Hold each to get a feel for which provides better control. As for the bristles, when natural bristles get wet they become floppy and can’t spread paint well. Nylon/poly bristles are ideal for water-based paints. All the paints in Consumer Reports tests are water based.   

Paint edger. A pad with wheels to guide it, a paint edger is great for painting that line where the wall meets the ceiling and around trim. But don’t dip the paint edger into the paint—the wheels will get messy. Load the edger by running your paint roller over the edger’s pad several times. And for those spots where the edger just won’t work use painter’s tape. FrogTape Delicate Surface was tops in our tests.

Plastic wrap. Use it to tightly wrap around the brush for next day touch-ups or adding another coat—you won’t have to wash the brush until the job’s done.

Some top pick interior paints

Behr Marquee (Home Depot), $43 per gallon
Valspar Reserve (Lowe’s), $44
Behr Premium Plus Ultra (Home Depot), $34
Clark+Kensington Enamel (Ace), $32
Benjamin Moore Aura, $54

Any questions? E-mail me at kjaneway@consumer.org. And check our interior paint Ratings for more top picks and all the details. Our tests are tough and include scrubbing the finishes with harsh abrasives. We found that a brand’s flat, eggshell, and semigloss formulations perform similarly overall, so we’ve combined the scores to make it easier for you to compare and shop.

—Kimberly Janeway 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The winter was brutal for much of the nation but with temperatures rising and spring only a week away, you can finally contemplate putting your snow blower away. Don't give in to the temptation to shove it in the shed and forget about it. That's one way to ensure that it won't start when you need it next season. Instead, take advantage of the warming weather and follow these steps.

Give it a good cleaning. A day with temperatures in the 40s is perfect for wheeling the snow blower out and spraying it down. Dirt from the snow likely coats the auger, impeller, and auger box, as does salt from the plow piles left at the end of the driveway. A good washing, followed by a wipe-down (a leaf blower can help to dry it) helps slow corrosion. If you have a two-stage model, this is also a good time to adjust the skid shoes that keep the auger box’s lower edge from scraping against the pavement. A quick way to adjust them: Loosen the skid shoes on both sides, and place a piece of corrugated cardboard under the scraper. Set the shoes to ground level and tighten.

Drain the gas. Even gas to which you’ve added fuel stabilizer has tough odds if the machine will be stored in a hot shed over the summer. Your single-most important task for guaranteeing easy starting next winter is to drain the gas left in the machine. You can siphon out the excess; put it in your car. For the rest, run the snow blower till the engine is dry. Consider adding a few ounces of ethanol-free fuel, sold in Sears, home centers, and some outdoor-gear dealers, and running it dry again. After the engine cools, drain the carburetor bowl.

Check fasteners and other parts. Control linkages on a two-stage snow blower tend to loosen from vibration over the season. (You know it’s too loose when changing gears results in no change in speed.) Retention cables and firm up any nuts and bolts that have gotten loose. Inspect your engine’s pull cord by gently pulling it out to check for fraying. And if you haven’t already, stock up on an extra belt and, for a two-stage model, extra shear pins—which protect the engine and transmission by breaking if the auger hits something solid.

Read up on your battery. If you have a cordless-electric model, follow recommendations in the owner’s manual to ensure that it will last as long as possible. These guidelines include avoiding recharging batteries in freezing temperatures.

Start a log. Other maintenance tasks don’t necessarily need doing now, but if you pass on them now, they should be done before next winter. These include changing the oil, checking and perhaps changing the spark plug, and checking the tire pressure—all of which should be outlined in your manual. (Since tires will lose pressure over the summer, inflate them to a full two pounds over the recommended level.) By keeping a maintenance log, you can keep track of what needs doing when—and what doesn't.

Need a snow blower?

Retailers are chopping prices of the few models remaining to make room for more grills, mowers, and tractors. Among the best models in our snow-blower tests—if you can still find one for next winter—are the two-stage, 28-inch Troy-Bilt Vortex 2890 31AH55Q and 30-inch Ariens 921032, both $1,300; the 24-inch, two-stage Craftsman 88173, $680; and the single-stage single-stage, 21-inch Toro Power Clear 721E, $570. Read our buying guide for snow blowers before hitting the stores, and call ahead to check that models are still available.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The $7,595 Duxiana Dux 515 mattress isn’t the most expensive one sold by the luxury mattress maker. But let’s put it this way—the Dux 515 costs just a little less than the combined cost of the other seven recommended innerspring mattresses in Consumer Reports tests. With our interest piqued by the price, we purchased the Dux 515 to see how it stacks up against the dozens of innerspring, memory foam, and adjustable air mattresses in our tests. Here are the details.

Anyone spending almost $7,600 for a mattress has every right to expect a good night’s sleep. And that’s possible with the Duxiana Dux 515 if you sleep on your side. It showed impressive side support in our tests, which measure how well a mattress keeps your spine horizontal when lying on your side. But the Dux 515 is only mediocre if you sleep on your back, according to our tests that measure how well a mattress supports and maintains the spine’s natural curve when the sleeper is supine. The best innerspring for back sleepers is the Charles P. Rogers Powercore Estate 5000, $1,500, which got excellent marks in our tests.

One comforting finding about the Dux 515 is that it earned top marks in our durability tests, which simulate eight years of use. So if you buy one, you can at least be assured that it will last. And it was decent at muting vibrations, meaning there’s little bouncing from one side of the bed to the other—a plus we didn’t find in the $4,800 Duxiana Dux 101.

Duxiana says what’s special about the Dux 515 is that it features “individualized personal comfort zones” that allow you to adjust the the amount of support under your shoulders, thighs, and legs. Beneath a replaceable topping of latex foam are six compartments, three per side, that accommodate “spring cassettes.” By default, the mattress comes with a pair of firm, medium, and soft. If you want a different combination you'll pay more. You can place the cassettes in the compartments in any order. But no matter how we arranged them in our tests, we judged the firmness of the mattress to be soft and not as firm as the company claims.

Need a new mattress?

The typical mattress seller wants you to believe you have to pay a lot, though not $7,600, for a winning mattress, but our mattress tests have found models that offer consistently impressive or better back and side support for less than $1,100. Examples are the $1,075 Serta Perfect Day iSeries Applause innerspring, Casper’s $850 The Casper 10" foam, and the $700 Sleep Number c2 Bed, an adjustable-air mattress. See our online Ratings of almost 40 mattresses, along with companion, survey-based Ratings of mattress stores and brands. And be sure to check out our free buying guide for mattresses before narrowing your choices.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

When you apply for a credit card or buy a smart phone, you have to sign what's usually a multipage contract with lots of legalese in tiny type. The contract is a take-it-or-leave-it deal: If you don’t sign it, you don’t get the card or the phone. So you sign it. No harm, no foul, right?

Wrong. Buried in the contract you signed there's often wording that says you’ve given up your right to sue the credit card or wireless company over any dispute you might have with it. That fine-print language is known as a forced arbitration clause, which typically says that you "agree" that a company can insist that any dispute that might arise between you and the company will be settled under the arbitration process.

That means, instead of going to court and making your case in front of a judge, you have to see an arbitrator, who is often chosen by the company. In an interesting—read: not consumer friendly—wrinkle, the company can keep choosing that arbitrator for repeat business, so there’s a huge incentive for the arbitrator to favor the company.

This arbitrator is typically not required to follow established law and procedure, and the arbitrator's decisions cannot be appealed, and are often kept secret. The fine print often says disputes will be considered by an arbitrator at a location chosen by the company, which could be far away from where you live.

Arbitration clauses also typically restrict you from joining with other consumers who have been mistreated in the same way by the same company. Because the costs for pursuing a claim effectively are typically more than the amount of a single claim, this restriction makes it far less likely that consumers will ever pursue claims. And that lets the company off the hook for its wrongdoing.

At Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, we think forced arbitration is too often stacked against the consumer. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has issued a new report about this practice in consumer financial products, such as loans, cards and bank accounts.

The CFPB report finds that this restriction on consumers' ability to effectively pursue claims results in a windfall to financial service companies worth tens or hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

The report also found that more than 75 percent of consumers surveyed did not even know whether they were subject to a forced arbitration clause in their agreements with their financial service providers. And fewer than 7 percent of those covered by forced arbitration clauses realized that the clauses restricted their ability to sue in court.

“Basic legal protections have no meaning if companies can’t be held accountable under the law. The CFPB report clearly demonstrates why forced arbitration clauses are unfair to consumers and undermine the rule of law,” George Slover, senior policy counsel at Consumers Union, said.

The CFPB was created by the Dodd-Frank financial reform law to give a single agency authority to protect consumers in their dealings with banks and other lenders and financial-services companies. Dodd-Frank directed the CFPB to examine the prevalence of forced arbitration clauses in consumer financial contracts and the effect on consumers, and authorized it to regulate or ban the practice based on the findings.

Consumers Union is urging the CFPB to take action now to curb forced arbitration clauses so the consumer can freely choose how to resolve a dispute with a company.

“We hope the CFPB will now use its authority to prohibit forced arbitration from being a precondition for getting a credit card or a bank account,” Slover continued. “Banks and other financial services companies claim that arbitration is somehow better for consumers than going to court. But if that were really true, the banks and lenders wouldn’t need to force consumers to agree to it.”

This feature is part of a regular series by Consumers Union, the policy and advocacy arm of Consumer Reports. The nonprofit organization advocates for product safety, financial reform, safer food, health reform, and other consumer issues in Washington, D.C., the states, and in the marketplace.

Read other installments of our Policy & Action feature.

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The great thing about energy-saving LED lightbulbs is that they’re designed to last a long time—often 23 years. And that’s why when some Cree LED spotlights died early in one of Consumer Reports’ tests—the most failures our lightbulb experts have seen for LEDs—it raised questions.

The dimmable Cree PAR38 Bright White LED spotlight replaces a 90-watt incandescent lightbulb and has a 27° beam angle. We paid $24 apiece at Home Depot. The model number is BPAR38-1503027T-12DE26-1U100. Here's what we found.

The tests. Our engineers conduct a number of different tests for brightness, energy use, light color, and more. Cycle testing tells us how the bulbs hold up after being frequently turned on and off. That on/off affects CFLs, but hadn’t affected LEDs, until now. Four of the eight Cree LEDs died after about a quarter of the way through the test.

And in our 3,000 hours life test, two of the 10 LEDs died, something that is unusual for LEDs but we have seen this in the past. One Cree LED went out before 500 hours and the other around 1,700 hours. This LED is meant to last 25,000 hours, or nearly 23 years when used 3 hours a day.

Need to know. Several visitors to HomeDepot.com commented that this LED failed very early on for them as well. The LED is Energy Star qualified, meaning it met Energy Star’s high standards when tested by a third party (not Energy Star and not Cree). And while Energy Star LEDs must have a warranty of at least 3 years, the Cree’s warranty is 10 years. This shows why you should save your receipt. And if you’re planning to buy PAR38 LEDs, especially for outdoor use with a motion sensor that frequently turns them on and off, consider the Great Value 90W PAR38 LED Soft White NonDimmable LED from Walmart. It’s $22 and a CR Best Buy.

One more thing. In our past tests Cree LEDs have done very well. We recommend the Cree 9.5-watt (60W) A19 Warm White Dimmable LED and at $8.50 it's a CR Best Buy. Our tests of the Cree PAR38 LEDs continue and we’ll continue to report on our findings. For more information, read  “How to get your money’s worth when buying an LED.”

—Kimberly Janeway 

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The Chevrolet Volt was recalled last week, ironically for being too quiet. It seems that when drivers use the Volt as intended, arriving back home from a round trip on electric power, the car is so quiet that some forget to turn it off.

The problem arises when owners park the car in an attached garage without plugging it in. In an emailed statement, GM describes the problem:

“If a driver exits the vehicle and inadvertently leaves the vehicle ‘on’ by failing to react to cues and warning chimes emitted by the vehicle, the vehicle’s high-voltage battery will drain after a period of time and the gasoline engine will begin to run. If the gas engine runs for a long period of time within an enclosed space, such as a garage, carbon monoxide could build up.”

GM is recalling 2011 to 2013 Volts to update the software so the car will shut off automatically after an hour and a half to reduce the potential carbon monoxide buildup. Volts from 2014 and 2015 already have the update.

Two people have been injured from the carbon-monoxide buildup, according to the GM statement.

We’ve seen similar problems with other hybrids, such as when one staff member drove to the office in our 2014 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recently and parked it, not clear that the power was technically still on. Another staffer heard its engine running in the parking lot an hour later, as the engine fired up to provide heat on the cold winter day.

We think an automatic shutoff seems a sensible solution that makes sense for all cars, especially hybrids.

—Eric Evarts

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

The recent Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Expo was a feast for the eyes. On display were high-end grills, wood-fired pizza ovens, and upscale fire pits, among other inspirations for creating an outdoor oasis. If the wares on display were any indication, there will be a lot of posh parties this summer. Consumer Reports' experts walked the floor of the show and here are three trends they spotted.

Grills go wild with features

The first thing you’ll notice about the Saber Smart Edge Grill, which won best in show, is its slim profile. The lid on the infrared grill looks almost flat and you can replace it with a ceramic glass lid if you want to see what’s cooking. The smart part comes from connecting the grill to your Wi-Fi so you can use your phone to monitor cooking time, fuel level, and when the grill is cool enough to clean. The grills will ship in May. Other grills on display included:

• The Fervor IC300-R Grill introduced “Grillsmart” cooking plates that are designed so fat and oil from the food drips down and drains into a waste cup.
  
• DCS by Fisher & Paykel introduced a 48-inch built-in grill and a 30-inch freestanding grill. Both can be incorporated into an outdoor kitchen with the company’s other built-ins including a beverage center, trash bin, and storage cabinets.
  
• Twin Eagles’ super-premium grills sell at lofty prices. Now the brand is featuring two mere premium lines, Delta Heat and Del Sol, with grills that sell for an earthly $1,200 to $2,200. They’re made in America.
  
• Fire Magic also featured a grill with a glass lid. The high-end built-ins can be paired with side burners and other outdoor cabinets. The company claims, “Fire Magic is the last grill you’ll need to buy.”
  

Wood-fired pizza ovens are hot

Unlike the $11,000 built-in pizza oven that we saw at an earlier trade show, most of the pizza ovens at the expo were freestanding or can be installed on top of a cart or other base. The models from New American Ovens can be used right out of the box, no masonry required. The ceramic oven’s two-floor cooking system separates the firebox from the cooking surface. It costs about $2,800. Other pizza ovens included:

• The Forno pizza oven by Morso is shaped like an Italian stone oven. It’s made of solid enamelled cast iron. The oven comes in two sizes that cost $1,400 and $1,800.
  
• Fornetto makes both built-in and freestanding pizza ovens that start at $1,700. Each oven is designed to use any approved combustible fuel including wood, charcoal, briquettes, and fire starters.
  
• The Bull outdoor pizza ovens are made in Italy. They’re considered portable but the large pizza oven weighs 238 pounds and the extra-large weighs 305.
  
• Called a countertop oven, the Chicago Brick Oven 750 Hybrid Oven includes a two-burner gas system, with an infrared burner and an ambient burner at the back. It also burns wood to attain that smoky wood-fired flavor.
  

Fire pits tame the flames

Its website is called rethinkingfire.com and that’s exactly what Breeo has done with its Luxeve smokeless fire pit. Designed to pull the smoke into the rim, the Luxeve does away with the annoying issue of smoke migrating to wherever you and your guests happen to be sitting. Other fire pits at the expo included:

• The Alfresco Fire N Table stands at the height of the typical bar and has enough space for 8 to 12 guests to gather around. In warmer weather, you can insert an ice bucket into the pit and use it as a cooler.
• Forshaw featured a number of fire pits in different configurations including round and rectangular tables and the more familiar low, freestanding fire pits.
• Waterstone’s fire tables and fire rocks inset the pit in Gneiss boulders from Minnesota. The stone fire pits are one-of-a-kind and come with a hefty price tag.
  

How about an ordinary grill?

Consumer Reports' tests of gas grills include dozens and dozens of top-performing grills at affordable prices. And if you like to grill pizza, you can even trick out your grill with a BakerStone Pizza Oven Box for only $150. Here are top small, medium, and large grills from our tests.

• Small: Weber Spirit E-220 46310001, $450
• Medium: Weber Spirit SP-320 46700401, $600
• Large: Kenmore 16136, $600
  

For more choices, see our full gas grill Ratings and recommendations. In the next few weeks we’ll be adding more newly tested grills to our Ratings.

—Mary H.J. Farrell with Mark Allwood

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Worx, a maker of electric outdoor power equipment and related products, calls the Worx Aerocart an “8-in-1 all-purpose lifter, carrier, and mover that lightens every load.” The $160 product converts from a garden cart and wheelbarrow to a hand truck, with several options that, for instance, let a 98-pound editor lift and move an 86-pound potted plant. In our tests, the Aerocart mostly met its claims.

Because the product has two wheels, it has an advantage over the standard wheelbarrow right off the bat: no tipping with heavy loads. The wheels are large and wide enough to remain stable even over soft soil or grass. They’re also non-inflatable, unlike many standard wheelbarrow wheels that go flat between uses.

A blade in the cart’s front locks in place at a 90-degree angle to the cart for when you need a hand truck. And when the blade is down, you lock in two extension arms to hook on a plant sling, which can also hold a five-gallon bucket. It’s in this position that the Aerocart’s engineering shines. In fact, the more you push down on the handles to raise the load, the easier it is to hold the object aloft to move it.

We could not test all of the Aerocart’s optional attachments, which include a seat, a water-hauler bag, a snow-plow attachment, and a wagon you can attach to a trailer ball of a tractor or vehicle. But what we did try out impressed us overall, with these exceptions:

• The plant sling was a little hard for a single person to use. Clipping the cradle’s rings onto the extension arms’ hooks and then lifting the plant while keeping the rings on the hooks required multiple attempts and lots of stretching;
• With the lifting arms extended, maneuvering the cart and load in tight spaces can be difficult; and
• The lip of the wheelbarrow tray doesn’t reach the ground when you lower the front of the cart because it’s offset by the depth of the hand-truck/dolly blade. That can make loading and unloading the cart a little harder.
  

And while the Aerocart appears to be well built, it might be less durable than a cart or wheelbarrow in a single configuration. Still, the product’s moving parts—particularly how the wheels fold out of the way into a shallower footprint—also let you stow it more conveniently than a standard garden cart or wheelbarrow. And never needing to buy a separate hand truck further reduces the number of items stored in your garage or shed.

Mowers and tractors. With the springtime thaw finally on track, we’ll soon be posting Ratings of the latest mowers, tractors, and zero-turn-radius riders we’ve tested. See also our Ratings of string trimmers, leaf blowers, and chain saws.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

St. Patrick's Day celebrations often involve raising a pint of green beer. But before you head out with friends, consider the sobering reality that 10,000 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2012, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That's one every 51 minutes. 

Here are eight key survival tips:

1. Stay off the road. If you really want to avoid a traffic accident, or worse, simply don't be in traffic. This is especially true at night, when most alcohol-related fatalities take place. So stay home. If you're gonna party anyway, have the party at your house, make it a sleep-over for your friends' sake, or plan to stay over if you go to a friend's house for planned overindulgence. Be sure to arrive at your evening destination during daylight hours.
2. Use a designated driver. If you have to party at night, arrange for a designated, sober driver. It's best if the designated driver is selected before the party, and, of course, is a safe and reliable driver to begin with. When all else fails, take a taxi home.
3. Be a designated driver. Stay straight, save lives. It's that simple.
4. Know your limit. Will drinking two beers in one hour impair your driving? It could if you weigh 130 lbs. or less. Maybe not if you weigh 160 lbs. or more. Intoxication is legally measured by blood-alcohol content, or BAC. Any individual may process (metabolize) alcohol faster or slower than average. On the whole, alcohol Impairment is present in the average adult when the BAC reaches .05 percent. The legal limit, meaning the point at which you will be arrested for drunk driving, is .08 in most places. That's when the ability to accurately steer, brake, and judge distances is impaired for the average person.
5. Ride in a safe car. Some crashes are unavoidable, no matter what time of the year it is. If a driver--drunk or otherwise--swoops into your path, you want to be in a crash-worthy vehicle. In general, we recommend people purchase vehicles that have performed well in both crash tests and our own dynamic evaluations. Understanding no one will buy a car for just one night on the town, consider taking a larger, more modern vehicle over an older model with fewer safety features at this time of greater road risk. (If you want a sobering reality check, see our safety ratings, as well as crash test videos.)
6. Wear seat belts. Wearing your safety belt is the single best insurance against injury or fatality in any kind of crash.
7. Ride in the back seat. Sometimes you can't choose the vehicle you ride in or who drives it. But usually you can choose where to sit. In most crashes, the rear seat is a better place to be than the front. Be sure to have the head rest properly elevated and wear a seat belt.
8. Watch out for the other guy. If you see someone on the road who appears to be under the influence, don't take chances. Get the plate number and call 911. You may be saving someone's life.

Sober reminder: Don't live to regret
Party time can end pretty suddenly when a drunk driver kills or maims himself, passengers, and/or people in other cars or pedestrians. The masculine pronoun is used intentionally: In the majority of alcohol-related deaths, the drunk driver was a man. Alcohol-related traffic deaths aren't limited to drivers, though. Alcohol involvement—for the driver and/or pedestrian—was reported in 49 percent of all fatal pedestrian crashes in 2013. Tipsy pedestrians are a risk, too.  

Be safe and enjoy the holiday!

—Gordon Hard

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Consumer Reports’ vacuum Ratings, like most results we provide to our readers, are sorted by overall performance—stressing the comprehensive efforts that go into our tests. But sometimes it’s all about the money. You can filter results in our Ratings to select by price, but here’s a shortcut to the best of our recommended vacuums that cost $150 or less. The five that follow are all upright models, which are cheaper on average than canister vacuums.

Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Pet UH30310
This $150 bagged upright packs impressive cleaning and pet-hair pickup into a low-priced, lightweight (17-pound) package. Carpet and bare-floor cleaning are both very good. And true to its name, the Hoover had superb pet-hair pickup. Key features include manual carpet pile-height adjustment, which we prefer over automatic systems for deep-cleaning carpets, and a brush on/off switch for bare floors. You do give up suction control for gentle cleaning of drapes. And adjusting the pile height requires you to bend downto reach the front of the vacuum.

Hoover WindTunnel T-Series UH30300
Impressive cleaning in a $140, lightweight package (only 16 pounds) makes this bagged Hoover an appealing choice. It's also superb at sucking up pesky pet hair—a plus for dog and cat owners—with strong airflow for tools. Key features include a brush on/off switch and manual carpet pile-height adjustment. But there’s no suction control for drapes. And here, too, you need to bend to adjust pile height.

Hoover WindTunnel T-Series Rewind Bagless UH70120
Fine cleaning and superb pet-hair pickup helped put this $130 bagless upright on our winner's list. This model also delivers lots of suction for tools, manual carpet pile-height adjustment, and a retractable cord—all in a relatively light machine that weighs just 18 pounds. Two things this value-priced model doesn't include: suction control for drapes and a brush on/off switch. And emptying a bagless vacuum's bin can be messy.

Eureka AirSpeed AS1000A
Eureka AirSpeed AS1001A Gold
We tested the Walmart-exclusive, bagless Eureka AirSpeed AS1000A, $120. The more generally available Eureka AirSpeed AS1001A Gold, $10 more, performs similarly but differs slightly in features. Impressive cleaning and pet-hair pickup help make the Eureka AirSpeed AS1000A an appealing model. It's also relatively light (just 18 pounds) and includes manual carpet pile-height adjustment. But the low price includes neither suction control nor a brush on/off switch.

Need a new vacuum?

In addition to these and other recommended upright vacuums, our vacuum Ratings include 45 canister vacuums—recommended models start at $250—and 20 hand and stick vacuums. We’re also testing new robotic vacuums. Be sure to see our buying guide for vacuum cleaners before you begin to narrow your choices.

—Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter)

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Stocking up on all kinds of cleaners can give you sticker shock at the grocery store checkout. But you can make your house sparkle for less by relying on some homespun cleaning tricks that have stood the test of time. Here are 10 ways to save money as you do your chores plus some affordable cleaning products from Consumer Reports’ tests.

Go halfsies. When you buy a box of sponges or scouring pads, cut them all in half. Presto! You’ve automatically slashed your costs by 50 percent. The same trick also works for dryer sheets.

Banish dust with diapers. Old diapers make great dust cloths that won’t scratch surfaces. Our experts prefer diapers with an 8-ply thickness in the center and 4-ply on the sides. Fold the diaper in thirds so that it fits nicely in your hand. When one side gets dirty, refold to expose a clean surface. Diapers are soft and lint-free, and they can be reused again and again.

Raid your tool box. If your shower tiles look grungy because of hard-to-remove soap scum, skip the pricey bathroom cleaners. Instead, try scraping off the film with a plastic putty knife. It’s gentler than abrasives, too.

Instantly brighten interiors. Living room looking a little dingy? Dirty lightbulbs could be the culprit. Make dusting fixtures part of your regular cleaning routine. (Just wait until they’re cool first!)

Keep outdoor dirt out. A doormat at every entrance can reduce incoming dirt and dust by up to 80 percent. That means less frequent dusting, vacuuming, and carpet shampooing. For added protection, place one inside the door in addition to the one outside to capture the grit that can damage hardwood floors.

Sponge off pet hair. Instead of going through reams of lint rollers, try a damp sponge to remove pet hair from upholstery. Sponges are also great for getting into corners and crevices.

Sock it to plants. Ditch the disposable dusting cloths. Instead, dampen a cotton sock with water, and wear it like a glove to gently dust leaves.

Towel off granite countertops. For sticky gunk, wet a rag with hot water, then put it over the spot for a few minutes. The heat will loosen the stuff so that you can wipe it up.

Boil away clogs. Pour a gallon of boiling water down your tub and sink drains weekly. That will clear grease and soap buildup without the need for caustic chemical cleaners.

Take a shine to copper pots. Cut a lemon in half, sprinkle it with salt, and rub it on copper and brass pots to remove tarnish and restore sheen.

Bargain cleaners from Consumer Reports' tests

All-purpose cleaners: Pine-Sol Original liquid, $2.48 a bottle.
Paper towels: Bounty Giant, $2.24 per 100 square feet
Dishwasher detergent: Member's Mark Ultimate Clean (Sam's Club), 10 cents per load
Dish liquid: Ajax Lemon Dishwashing Liquid, $2.10 a bottle
Powdered cleaner: Comet With Bleach, $1.25 a carton
Laundry detergent: Member's Mark Ultimate Clean (Sam's Club), 12 cents per load

—Adapted from ShopSmart magazine

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.

Tiny specks of air pollution can cause big health problems. Air quality in the U.S. is gradually improving, but “particles you breathe in can increase blood pressure, inflame arteries, and speed up heart rate,” says Norman H. Edelman, M.D., senior consultant for scientific affairs at the American Lung Association.

A 2012 studyin the Archives of Internal Medicine found that breathing outdoors on one moderately polluted day led to a 30 percent spike in strokes 12 to 14 hours later. And, says Gregory A. Wellenius, Sc.D., lead author and associate professor of epidemi­ology at Brown University, “Other studies also show more ER and hospital admissions for heart attacks on polluted days.”

Indeed, a study published online this month in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology suggests air pollution may be linked to a dangerous narrowing of neck arteries that occurs before strokes. The researchers looked at  medical test records for more than 300,000 people living in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut and found that people living in ZIP codes with the highest average levels of pollution were significantly more likely to show signs of narrowing in their internal carotid arteries, compared with those living in ZIP codes with the lowest pollution levels.

"We spend a lot of time thinking about traditional risk factors for stroke such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and smoking—but our data underscore the possibility that everyday air pollution may also pose a significant stroke risk," says Jeffrey S. Berger, M.D., an assistant professor in the department of medicine at New York University Langone Medical Center and a study author.

Air pollution is especially problematic for children; people 65 and older; and people with asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Learn more in our guide to a healthy heart. And find out how to get the best air conditioner and air purifier for your home.

Medical researchers are highly concerned about ozone (a potentially hazardous gas) and fine-particle pollution—from car and truck exhaust, factories, power plants, and wildfires. Those particles, smaller in diameter than a human hair, can lodge deep in your lungs or ­enter your bloodstream. What to do:

• Check your local pollution levels at airnow.gov. If you’re at higher risk, try to stay in air-conditioned areas when the Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index is 101 or higher.
• During higher-pollution periods, ex­er­­cise and work outdoors early in the morning, when pollution levels are usually lower.
• High-traffic areas are more polluted; avoid them when on foot or bicycling.
• Don’t burn trash or wood outside or leave your car idling. On high-pollution days, don’t run fuel-burning power equipment.
• Don't assume face masks are going to solve the problem. N-95 masks may provide some benefit, but most commercially available air masks are not designed to protect against all forms of air pollution, like smog.

The major indoor pollutants include cigarette smoke, fireplace and wood-stove smoke, kitchen-range fumes, mold and mildew, air-freshener ingredients, animal dander, and dust. Those are especially worrisome for people with allergies or asthma. They can also irritate the eyes, nose, and throat or cause headaches in anyone. To breathe easier indoors:

• Ban smoking in your home and car.
• Vacuum to reduce dust and dander.
  
• Run air conditioners or dehumidifiers to help thwart mold and mildew.
• Use exhaust fans in your bathrooms, kitchen, and laundry area.
• Use a vented range hood to extract smoke and kitchen odors.
• Replace older wood stoves; newer models emit less smoke. A lower number on the EPA’s certification label means it burns more cleanly.
• Burn only untreated, fully dried wood in your fireplace, and don’t light it around anyone with a heart or lung condition.
• Nix air fresheners. They can contain volatile organic compounds and phthalates that can cause headaches and eye, nose, and throat irritation, and worsen asthma symptoms.  

Can an air purifier help?

Indoor air purifiers filter dust, tobacco smoke, and pollen—helpful for those with allergies or asthma. But they may not eliminate the ultrafine particles. There are two types:

Portable air purifiers

Designed to clean the air in one area or room, they range in price from $80 to $1,700. In our recent tests, the best large portable models removed more particles at high speeds and still did well at lower, quieter speeds.

Tip: Choose a model designed for an area larger than yours.

Whole-house purifiers

For forced-air heating or cooling systems only, these special filters replace the regular one in your furnace. They cost $7 to $100. Our top models excelled at filtering dust and pollen without impeding airflow in our tests. Note that the Lennox requires professional installation.

—Sue Byrne

This article also appeared in the May 2015 issue of Consumer Reports on Health.  

Consumer Reports has no relationship with any advertisers on this website. Copyright © 2006-2015 Consumers Union of U.S.