GE Appliances - Experts & Thought Leaders

GE Appliances, a Haier company, celebrated its fourth annual ‘Blue Wave,’ a global initiative inspiring employees to volunteer year-round in their communities. During its Global Day of Service on Friday, GE Appliances set a new volunteer record—achieving more than 15,000 service hours in the U.S. alone and surpassing last year’s milestone of 10,964 volunteer hours. “At GE Appliances, we’re deeply invested in the communities we’re a part of,” said Kevin Nolan, company president and CEO. Making meaningful impact “The Blue Wave reflects that commitment. It’s about giving our employees the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. I’m constantly inspired by how our teams show up, partnering with nonprofits to create solutions that really make a difference where it matters most—right at home. It’s a testament to their dedication and passion for helping to improve the lives of those around them.” 525 employees participated in more than 24 volunteer projects across the city on Friday The Blue Wave, which grew from GE Appliances’ annual fall community service project, has expanded into a year-round program—building and strengthening partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the globe. In Louisville, home of GE Appliances' corporate headquarters, 525 employees participated in more than 24 volunteer projects across the city on Friday. Assembling playground equipment These included organizing food banks, preparing meals for seniors, assisting with financial literacy programs, setting up fundraising events, assembling playground equipment, landscaping, and cleaning local parks. Similar volunteer efforts also took place across the U.S. and internationally. Employees at GE Appliances’ other U.S. manufacturing facilities added another 234 volunteers who helped make a difference in their cities and towns. Employees at satellite offices in India, Korea, and China also engaged in the Global Day of Service.

Marcone announced expanded offerings in its Tulsa and Oklahoma City locations, representing the company’s growth as one of North America’s largest distributors of appliance, HVAC, commercial kitchen, plumbing and pool/spa equipment, repair parts, and solutions. As a Marcone business unit, O’Connor Company added inventory in those locations to include appliance parts and plans to soon bring in plumbing products, in addition to their existing HVAC solutions. The move allows customers to rely on Marcone-O’Connor as a full-service provider for solutions in a range of industries. Marcone’s vast resources "Marcone’s vast resources allow us to bring even more options to the Tulsa and Oklahoma City repair communities," said Jennie Bryan, O’Connor Company President. Jennie Bryan adds, "We are thrilled to provide our customers an easy way to access the full range of products they might need to complete a job." Marcone-O’Connor branches The Marcone-O’Connor branches are located at 1850 N. Indianwood Ave. in Broken Arrow and 315 Hudiburg Circle in Oklahoma City. Among the products they carry are: Appliance – Parts for cooktops, dishwashers, ice makers, microwaves, and more from top brands including GE, Whirlpool, and Electrolux. HVAC – Air handlers, flex duct, thermostats, registers, and more from quality manufacturers such as Trane and Mitsubishi. Coming soon: Plumbing – Supply lines, angle stops, gaskets and drains, and more from premier providers like Honeywell, Fluidmaster, and Milwaukee. Marcone Group's distribution network Marcone Group has expanded its footprint and product offering in recent years, entering the HVAC, plumbing, commercial kitchen, and pool/spa sectors. The company boasts nearly 200 locations in the U.S. and Canada, including distribution centers in most major metro areas. That vast distribution network affords next-day delivery to 93% of the United States and 100% two-day. "With a catalog spanning five industries, Marcone has created something that doesn't currently exist in today's marketplace," said Avichal Jain, Chief Executive Officer of Marcone, adding "Many of our customers work across multiple industries but always have had to keep their suppliers separate. In the parts distribution arena, the one-stop shopping offered by Marcone is truly unique."

Ahead of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES)®, GE Profile™ announced the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker with Active Smoke Filtration. Smart Indoor Smoker The GE Profile™ Smart Indoor Smoker provides a revolutionary way to experience a time-honored cooking method, smoking food, without the hobbyist hassle. With innovative technology and countertop convenience, smoked food no longer requires a huge time commitment, a backyard, and nice weather. Active Smoke Filtration technology As the first and only indoor smoker, Active Smoke Filtration technology uses heat and a highly engineered catalyst system to turn real-wood smoke into warm air packed with flavor. This unique airflow system, along with tight gaskets and seals keeps the smoke in the appliance The Indoor Smoker is designed to efficiently deliver delicious, wood-smoked seasoning to a variety of foods. Designed for optimal smoke with custom controls and maximum flavor, this unique airflow system, along with tight gaskets and seals keeps the smoke in the appliance, not in the kitchen.  level of customization Creating flexibility for users from novice to pro, smoke intensity, and temperature can be separately dialed in to achieve perfect flavor thanks to a separate heat source for burning pellets and cooking foods. Whether a hint of smoke or full-smoke flavor is preferred, the Indoor Smoker gives cooks the ability to customize. Five adjustable smoke settings let users control the smoke levels until they find their ideal flavor. This level of customization allows cooks to explore barbeque favorites or new recipes with ease and achieve consistent results.  customized food and smoke settings The six preset food settings create amazing results for brisket, pork ribs, pork butt, chicken wings The six preset food settings create amazing results for brisket, pork ribs, pork butt, chicken wings, chicken breast, and salmon using a heat source at the bottom of the appliance. Users can also customize their own food and smoke settings for other foods of choice from side dishes to desserts.  Simplified smoking process "We believe that this product will completely change the game when it comes to smoked food,” said André Zdanow, executive director of small appliances at GE Appliances. “Not only are we simplifying the smoking process, but we are opening it up as a cooking method to a whole new audience who may not have had the time or outdoor space to try smoking food before." Exploring possibilities The Indoor Smoker delivers the flavors consumers demand from a traditional smoker "From weeknight dinners to cocktail garnishes and home tailgating to peach cobbler, consumers can explore all the possibilities of having an electric smoker that is ready to go at any time.” The Indoor Smoker delivers the flavors consumers demand from a traditional smoker and it looks sleek in any kitchen. Additional features Additional features that make dinner prep and clean up a breeze include: Smoke and Hold ensures favorite smoked foods are ready when users are with a convenient Auto Warm setting that holds foods at food-safe temperatures for up to 24 hours. Gone are the days of overcooked meals or cold dinners if guests arrive late.  GE Profile Connect+ lets users set their desired smoke levels and monitor the cooking progress from anywhere via the SmartHQ app, ensuring consistent and efficient results. Consumers can work in their home office or pick up the kids from school while checking the status of their food or controlling the settings with a few taps. Owners will also receive over-the-air feature updates like guided recipes as they are released for endless recipe tips and inspiration.  Its small footprint and large capacity can fit three racks of baby back ribs, a brisket, a whole chicken, up to 40 chicken wings, or a 14-pound pork butt. The same results consumers demand from a traditional smoker but with a fraction of the wood pellets, making it more cost-effective and efficient. Plus, a pellet capture system extinguishes used pellets and collects them in a water tank for easy disposal. Dishwasher safe, removable racks and drip trays for easy clean up. temperature probe and a bag Indoor Smoker is designed to be used with any brand intended for use with pellet grills or smokers The Indoor Smoker comes with a cookbook crafted by chef Dallas McGarity, executive chef and owner of The Fat Lamb, winner of the Food Network’s cooking challenge show “Chopped” and GE Profile chef ambassador. It also includes a temperature probe and a bag of co-branded GE Profile and Kona pellets to get users started. Users can receive up to 20% off when they re-order pellets or schedule a pellet subscription through Kona. If users already have their favorite pellets, the Indoor Smoker is designed to be used with any brand intended for use with pellet grills or smokers.​ smoking skills “Smoking food is an art form that has been practiced for centuries. Whether you are a novice or an expert smoker, the GE Profile Indoor Smoker will take your smoking skills to the next level, all from the comfort of your kitchen counter,” said chef Dallas McGarity. “I find that smoking food can be a social experience, and this indoor smoker now gives me the flexibility to smoke even small meals inside with my family and friends. From traditional meats to smoked Brussels sprouts and desserts like s’mores, the meals you can create are endless.” game-changing features Based on its success, it has graduated to the GE Profile brand and will be available at retailers The Indoor Smoker was invented at FirstBuild, the co-creation, maker space, and micro-factory owned by GE Appliances. These game-changing features led consumers to invest in this innovation (formerly known as Arden) through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign that was backed by 1,156 people and $835,774 in funding. Based on its success, it has graduated to the GE Profile brand and will be available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $999. For more information about the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker, visit geappliances.com/indoorsmoker. Consumer Electronics Show For those attending the Consumer Electronics Show, the GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker will be on display at the GE Appliances booth # 53317 in The Venetian Las Vegas. Heading up to the show, the innovation will be at CES Unveiled on January 7 and Pepcom’s Digital Experience on January 8. In addition to the Indoor Smoker, the 2024 CES Innovation Award Honoree, the GE Profile UltraFast Combo, the 2023 CES Innovation Award Honoree, the GE Profile Smart Mixer, and the GE Profile Opal Nugget Ice Maker 2.0, will also be on display.

AHR Expo was back in a big way for 2022, reflecting a dynamic industry that not only survived the pandemic but has found new ways to thrive. Technical developments on display in Las Vegas spanned traditional product categories, which continued to display new levels of innovation in a mature market. Also reflecting progress were new digital offerings that increase control and efficiency of HVAC products and link them to the expanding world of data.  Omar Tabba, the Chief Product Officer at Brainbox AI, said “You see a lot of vendors at the show, who are software value-adds to equipment, to systems, to sensors, and there is a more genuine openness and acceptance that this is a valuable thing,” Connected cloud-based applications Omar Tabba adds, “An important driver in the market is the ability to have cloud-based applications connected to buildings. Another driver is an intense scrutiny to come up with environmentally friendly solutions and to reduce the carbon footprint.” Brainbox AI is among the companies leveraging the value of data in the building environment and applying it to increasing energy efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Brainbox cloud-based system At the AHR Expo 2022 show, Brainbox announced a distribution agreement with ABB The Brainbox cloud-based system leverages data from building systems, analyzes it in the Cloud using Artificial Intelligence (AI), and then guides the system to optimize building HVAC operations in real time. The company has three primary pathways into the market - strategic accounts for large end users, systems integrators/resellers, and through OEM partners. At the AHR Expo 2022 show, Brainbox announced a distribution agreement with ABB, to sell their cloud-based product around the world, thus taking advantage of a large global platform. “The show has been great,” said Omar Tabba, echoing the feedback heard throughout the show from multiple exhibitors, adding “We were kind of apprehensive, given the pandemic, about whether the attendance would be good. We have been blown away. We had a full booth the first two days, and the third day was good as well.” Transitioning to Heat Pumps Electrification is a driving trend in the market and Mitsubishi Electric Trane HVAC US introduced a product that can help to smooth the transition from gas- and oil-fire furnaces to heat pump systems. Their intelli-HEAT Dual Fuel system is a heat pump that is installed on top of a furnace with an intelligent system that enables switch-over back and forth between the two systems to maximize efficiency. Mitsubishi Electric’s intelli-HEAT Dual Fuel system This intelli-HEAT system helps home owners who are comfortable with a furnace system make the transition to a heat pump that provides hyper-heating, down to minus 13 degrees F. Depending on the climate zone, the changeover temperature can be adjusted to ensure efficiency and every hour the heat pump operates, means no burning of fossil fuels, which is good for the environment. At 40% better efficiency, the system provides a return on investment (ROI) within 5 to 10 years. Also, the system creates a pathway for contractors into the home for future business, as the electrification transition continues.  Kumo cloud system At the AHR Expo 2022, Mitsubishi Electric also highlighted the Kumo cloud system At the AHR Expo 2022, Mitsubishi Electric also highlighted the Kumo cloud system, an app-based controller for residential systems that manages every indoor unit from a single app and connects with Google assistant and Alexa for voice control of each zone. Also previewed at AHR Expo was the Lossnay system from Mitsubishi Electric, a new wall-mounted residential ERV (energy recovery ventilator); a fan moves air through opposing channels, with a heat membrane that transfers the heat from one air stream to the other. In effect, incoming fresh air is preheated by the exhaust air going out. Hybrid VRF on display On the commercial side, Mitsubishi Electric offered a hybrid VRF that uses water as a hydronic energy exchange medium rather than refrigerant. A refrigerant loop connects the outdoor VRF unit to the BC controller, while a water loop is provided to each indoor unit. One cost benefit is to avoid the rising cost of refrigerant, while water also avoids the possibility of a refrigerant leak that could impact fire safety, especially in a setting such as a school. HEAT2O system using VRF technology The HEAT2O system from Mitsubishi Electric uses VRF technology to heat water in tanks from 175 to 500 gallons and using CO2 as a refrigerant. Heating water with heat-pump technology allows for just the capacity needed, can prepare for peak flows, or can phase down when demand is low. A shift to concerns about indoor air quality (IAQ) and healthy buildings was evident at the Carrier booth, which highlighted a new certification program called ‘Carrier Certified Quality Air Systems’. “It’s important to educate people about air quality,” said Holly Rhodes, Associate Director for Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Products for Carrier Corporation. OptiClean Air Scrubber using long-life HEPA filter The booth highlighted the OptiClean Air Scrubber that uses a long-life HEPA filter for larger spaces The booth highlighted the OptiClean Air Scrubber that uses a long-life HEPA filter for larger spaces, such as school cafeterias; the unit is on wheels and plugs into an outlet for easy deployment. There was also a smaller Room Purifier, available as a consumer product, which can purify air in up to 550 square feet of a home, with prices ranging from US$ 350 to US$ 500. Carrier Corporation displayed at the AHR Expo for the first time as an independent company, since spinning off from United Technologies Corporation (UTC). The Carrier booth assembled all their brands under one footprint at the show, providing one face to the market. Also featured was the Abound cloud platform that unites air handling, air purifier systems and services to enable users to visualize indoor air quality with graphs and a dashboard that balances air quality and energy usage concerns. 19MV Water-Cooled Centrifugal chiller On the commercial side, Carrier displayed a smaller-footprint 19MV Water-Cooled Centrifugal chiller, at 300- to 700-ton capacities, with an EquiDrive compressor for better efficiency and small enough to pass through double doors. A higher-tier product, the 19DV chiller, at 300 to 1150 tons, uses low-pressure, low-GWP refrigerant and leverages “free cooling” (i.e., with the compressor off) to increase sustainability. Complementary Lines for Ducted and Ductless Air and Water Solutions is the new brand that combines the GE Appliances, Haier and Hotpoint brands under an umbrella that combines resources and renews their dedication to the professional side of the business. At the AHR Expo 2022, Air and Water Systems announced reentry into the ducted space for the first time in 40 years; with a full line of the Unitary brand residential products, including heat pumps, air handlers and other equipment. The new line is complementary to their mature ductless line and provides a more complete menu of options. SmartHQ Service diagnostics platform There is also a template that allows installers to pre-drill holes to simplify installation The emphasis is ease of installation and service. For example, a ‘kick-stand’ allows a unit to pull out from the wall to make connections and then pop back flush to the wall. There is also a template that allows installers to pre-drill holes to simplify installation. When changing a PCB, it is not necessary to take the unit apart. The SmartHQ Service diagnostics platform provides visibility into the internal parameters and operation of a system. A plug-in interface tool collects data to provide dealer-installers insights to help with troubleshooting and maintenance, and to analyze historical operation data. Performance, efficiency and enhanced ventilation LG displayed Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) technology, energy efficient heat pumps, and emphasized indoor air quality and building connectivity products. The LG Inverter Scroll Heat Pump Chiller uses inverter technology to provide hot and cold water for comfort and process applications with new levels of performance and efficiency. The LG Split Compact Dedicated Outdoor Air Systems (DOAS) helps to address ventilation concerns in the age of COVID-19.