Rich's for the Home

Seven ways to stay warm this winter

Are you feeling the chilly air the past few days? I went out for my run this morning and almost turned around and came back inside. I did wrap it up early. It is COLD outside. Although we are still having some heavenly sun, it is time to start thinking about more indoor activities for everyone.

While you are at it, do you know how to keep your family warm as well as save energy?

We have some tips to help you stay warm this season and beyond, until the sun gets warm again.

1. Don't discount warmer clothes for everyone. My daughter has been wearing tee shirts and expecting to stay warm in our home. Goosebumps aren't convincing her otherwise yet. So budget for a few warm sweaters for each member of the family and when someone is chilly, encourage them to put it on. Warm socks or slippers help too.
2. Consider a Snuggie or some extra blankets accessible to the area where people like to gather and sit.
3. Purchase appropriate outdoor wear for everyone. Don't wait until it snows. Everyone should have boots, gloves, warm coats and gloves on hand. And don't forget a few umbrellas and/or rain hats.
4. Purchase extra fuel for your heating sources. There's nothing like running out of fuel on a 20 degree day. Stock up and you will feel better about making sure everyone stays warm this winter.
5. Don't forget the pets! If they are indoor pets, they need to stay inside with you. And sometimes it even gets too cold outside for outdoor pets. So keep an eye on that thermometer and keep in mind that even outdoor pets should not be outside long term in 30 degree weather.
6. Make sure that your home is being heated the most efficiently. Travis Industries has a heating worksheet that was extremely helpful for my family when we were looking at options. Even if you think you have chosen the best option for your home, I would encourage you to fill it out. It was very enlightening information for us to learn and list out the cost of each option for heating our home.
7. Next time that it is cold, or the wind is blowing, take a walk around the inside of your home. Put your hand near registers, windows and feel around doors. Do you feel cold air coming in? If so, warm air is also getting out. Even a storm door can help to seal in a great deal of warmth in your home.

Before you know it, Spring will be here and it will once again be time to take out that outdoor furniture and get your yard ready for entertaining and fun! In the meantime, cuddle up and enjoy some warmth.

A Man Who Loves Fire: Kurt Rumens, Founder of Lopi Stoves

By Laura Christianson
Guest columnist

It all started when a rock ‘n roll drummer named Kurt Rumens began selling wood stoves so he could pay for gas to drive his band to gigs.

Kurt began examining the stoves he was distributing and thought, “These stoves need heavier steel. They need to burn more efficiently. And they need to be prettier.”

When he shared his ideas with the manufacturer, they weren’t interested. “Stick to selling, not product development,” they told him.

So Kurt and his friend Dick Miller decided to start their own company. Thirty years ago, on August 29, 1979, they founded Lopi Stoves in the garage of Kurt’s Bellevue home. “I made up the name Lopi,” says Kurt. “It sounded Indianish.”

Starting Small

Production started on a small scale. “We invested $400 in steel to build our first stoves,” says Kurt. Their staff of six built eight stoves per week.

After building a couple hundred stoves, they sold them and used the profits to purchase two welding machines.

As the company grew, Kurt kept one goal at the forefront of his mind: “We keep trying to make our stoves better.” Ask Kurt what his favorite stove is, and he’ll reply, “The next one.”

Changing Names

In 1988, Travis Garske, who owned a company that produced castings, legs, and doors for hearth products, bought Lopi from Kurt. Travis purchased the Avalon brand of stoves at the same time, and re-named the company Travis Industries. Travis told Kurt he’d keep him on as president until he could find someone else to take over the job. Twenty years later, Kurt remains as president and general manager of Travis Industries.

Travis Industries’ Mukilteo, Washington plant is “the most sophisticated steel fabrication site in America,” says Kurt. They currently build 7,500 wood, gas, electric, and pellet stoves per month for more than 1,200 authorized retailers throughout the US, Canada, Australia, and China (Rich’s for the Home is Travis Industries’ largest U.S. dealer). 

In 2008, Travis Industries sold $100 million in Lopi, Avalon, and Fireplace Xtrordinair stoves to wholesalers.

Every year, they buy:

• 30 million pounds of steel
• 5 million pounds of cast iron
• 50 pounds of gold

The high-tech, 11-acre building houses:

• 11 assembly lines
• 50 welding stations
• 300 active fiber-optic computer stations
• 1 million amps of power
• 20,000 square feet devoted to research
• 18,000 square feet devoted to sales, marketing, accounting, and executive offices
• A training center that certifies 1,000 students per year
• 13,000-14,000 finished stoves and fireplaces in inventory

Their fabrication department makes the parts for their stoves, churning out 30,000 parts per day. “When we come up with a new idea for a design, we can make the part within 30 minutes,” says Kurt.

They maintain their tools in an on-site machine shop, and use a sophisticated system to scrub and recycle the air from their welding stations and paint booths.

Hand-Crafted Products

Despite the high-tech equipment, all of their products are hand-finished. Many of the artisans have worked in the plant for 20 or more years. “Everybody who started the business with me is still here,” says Kurt.

Kurt still has the same passion for fire that he did 30 years ago, and he’s proud to be “unfashionable.”

“We make stuff in America,” he says. “We take raw materials and turn it into finished fire products. We just love fire!”

• Take a free tour of Travis Industries and experience the entire stove-making process. When you register, tell ‘em Rich’s sent you!

• Be sure to read Part 1 of this series, where I review my Travis Industries factory tour.

Visiting Rich's for the Home

When you visit a Rich's for the Home Showroom, several things will stand out to you:

The knowledge, confidence and friendliness of the staff- Our staff has knowledge over and above your standard customer service member. We are quick to help, truly listen to your needs and know what recommendations to make to best meet those needs.

The educational opportunities available- Rich's for the Home customer service experts will not only help you while you are on the floor, but also are quick to ask other staff members questions if need be and present several options to you, including potential ones housed in catalogs behind the counters. The educational opportunity to learn more truly is outstanding.

The massive choices available- The showrooms are much more than a showroom. With the massive inventory available, you can shop for hours and see many options that will likely meet your needs. From hot-tubs to patio furniture and grills, Rich's for the Home truly does have everything that you need for outdoor living. We even have accessories for your patio, grill and outdoor rooms. 

In addition, because Rich's for the Home has several locations, it gives you the ability to access several different sets of inventory to find exactly what you need.

The option to test out merchandise- Yes indeed, if you are looking for a hot tub, you can take a soak test before you buy. Many customers really love this option. So bring your swimsuit and towel with you to your nearest location and hop on in. You will be glad for the chance to test out before you buy and your muscles will thank you too.

The back-up support of a good company- Rich's for the Home has been in business for years and has built their entire business on a solid reputation of taking good care of people. Not only will we help you with shopping, purchasing, tax credit questions and financing, but we remain there for you even after you have purchased your items. Many people visit Rich's for the Home on the advice of their family and friends and we know that you will find a good experience each time you visit as well.

House of Fire Tour

Travis Industries, the largest privately-owned manufacturer of hearth products in America, has opened an amazing opportunity for people to see in person how stoves and fireplaces are manufactured and view all the particulars that goes on behind the scenes.

They are opening their 11-acre manufacturing plant in Mukilteo, WA for scheduled tours this winter.

According to the Website:

"Observe as robotic welders, turret punches, state-of-the-art lasers and our factory artisans turn raw materials into hearth products. Witness the 'birth' of newly-assembled products as they come off the end of the line, ready to create warmth and comfort for your family."

The tours, which are free are scheduled for the following days. They start at 9:00 a.m. and last until 11:30 a.m. and include lunch.

• Wednesday, November 18th, 2009
• Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
• Wednesday, December 9th, 2009
• Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

Due to insurance stipulations, pre-registration is required and you must show the registration e-mail and ID at the door.

Travis Industries stresses that no sales presentations will be made during the tour and no sales transactions can occur.

They are available, however, to answer questions and provide you with recommended retail locations where you can purchase the products, if desired. And of course, here in the Northwest, Rich's for the Home will be happy to assist you with any purchases.

Here are some other particulars you will find helpful:

"Closed toe shoes are required (NO sandals).  No pictures, videos, cameras or cellular phones are allowed. No backpacks, purses, fanny packs or other containers may be brought on the tour except by special request (e.g. medical reasons, etc.). There are no holding facilities onsite for personal belongings; those items must be left in your car."

Please note that children are welcomed. However, they must be supervised.

I'll be taking the tour November 18 and will blog about my experience. Hope to see you there!

Purchase a Fireplace or Stove at Rich’s and Get $325 in Freebies

As the thermometer continues to plummet here in the Pacific Northwest, you may feel an uncontrollable urge to curl up in front of a crackling fire with a good book.

If you’re in need of a new or replacement fireplace or stove, Rich’s is offering a terrific, limited-time deal on qualifying models from Avalon, Lopi, and FireplaceXtrordinair (FPX).

When you purchase a qualifying wood, pellet or gas stove, insert or fireplace, you’ll get your choice of a FREE blower, remote, or fireback – up to a $325 value!

Rich’s Early Winter Sale begins Friday, November 13 and ends Sunday, November 22, 2009. You can print out a discount coupon from the following links:

• Avalon
• Lopi
• FireplaceXtrordinair (FPX)

When you visit one of our five showrooms in Bellevue, Lynnwood, Southcenter, Tacoma, or Silverdale, be sure to ask about the $1,500 stove tax credit – the tax credit is good on all stove and fireplace brands Rich’s carries, including Lopi, Hearthstone, Avalon, Morso, and Harman.

Also ask about the new GreenSmart technology available in Lopi gas models. GreenSmart efficiently heats the home while saving on energy usage and lowering heating bills.

Here are some additional articles from my blog about the $1,500 stove tax credit:

• $1,500 Tax Credit on Purchase of All Rich's Wood Stoves, Pellet Stoves, and Fireplaces
• Q & A on the Stove Tax Credit
• Stove Tax Credit - Profile of a Family Who Purchased a New Stove

Again, Rich's Early Winter Sale goes from November 13-22, 2009.

Weber announces new holiday grilling site

As more consumers continue to grill year-round, preparation of traditional holiday meals are moving from the kitchen to the backyard. In fact, 53 percent of American grill owners say they are grilling all year long, according to the latest results from the Weber GrillWatch™ Survey. And with more and more Americans firing up their grills throughout the year, Weber has launched a new site devoted to the art of grilling your holiday meal. The site includes:

1. Grilling Tips
2. Instructional Videos
3. Grocery Lists that can be emailed

“Grilling your holiday meal is a great way to spice up the conventional fare, and with this Web site you can become an expert at grilling,” said Jamie Purviance, author of Weber’s Way to Grill™, a New York Times Best Seller. “One of my favorite holiday recipes is the Apple-Brined Turkey with Big Time Gravy, which features the method of brining to create a juicy, succulent bird. Many people are intimidated by grilling the holiday turkey, but by watching the demonstration video featured on the Web site there are no mistakes. You are taken step-by-step through the process so grilling becomes easy.”

In addition to the Apple-Brined Turkey recipe, there are recipes for the entire holiday meal—from side dishes such as green beans and squash, to pineapple upside-down cake for dessert. The Web site has helpful advice for grilling your main dish, and each recipe can be downloaded with the option of emailing a grocery list to make shopping easy. The site is a “one-stop shop” for creating the perfect holiday meal.

Weber-Stephen Products Co., headquartered in Palatine, Ill., is the world’s premiere manufacturer of charcoal and gas grills, grilling accessories and other outdoor room products. In 1952, founder George Stephen sparked a backyard revolution with his invention of the Weber® kettle. More than 55 years later, the family-owned company remains the industry leader with its Weber®, Weber® Q®, and Ducane® brands. Weber has the strongest consumer outreach program in the industry with its Weber Grill-LineSM (1-800-GRILL-OUT®), Weber’s On The Grill™ mobile application and a content-rich Web site with grilling tips, techniques, and original Weber recipes at www.weber.com. (The Weber Grill-Line and Weber Customer Service are closed on Christmas).

What's Cooking: Berry Delicious BBQ Cheesecake

Cheesecake is hands-down my fave dessert. Nothing beats it. So I love to find variations on cheesecake recipes and give them a try. Of course, I was delighted beyond words to find one that you can actually make on the grill. Yum! I can't wait to try it!

This recipe is courtesy of Lois Forsyth and was originally posted on The Recipe Center at the Vermont Casting website. A ton of great BBQ recipes are on there so make sure to check it out soon.

WHAT YOU NEED:

• 3/4 of a box of Dare's Oatmeal Cookies
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 2 large packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 cups mixed fruit, fresh or frozen (raspberries, blueberries and blackberries)

STEPS:

1. Put the oatmeal cookies into a food processer and chop until fine. Mix in the melted buttter to create a paste like texture. Pour mixture into an alluminum pan (approx 12 X 10 inches) greased or sprayed with non-stick cooking spray and press firmly creating a crust.
2. In a bowl beat the cream cheese until it is fluffy and smooth. Add the the eggs, butter and vanilla all at once and beat until fluffy.
3. Coat the cookie crust with the honey spreading it thinly. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of the fruit on top of the honey and then add the cream cheese mixture. Keep the other 1/2 cup of fruit aside. Cook on a preheated BBQ at medium heat for approximately 20 minutes. Do not cover while cooking but do close the BBQ lid. Cool completely and then refrigerate.
   Serve cold and top it with the remaining fruit.

TIPS:

Check often. Mmmmmmm

Q/A on the Stove Tax Credit

Do you have questions about the stove tax credit? You are not the only one. Questions abound from our customers when they come in to look at our selection of stoves and we don't blame them. Some of the initiatives with the most benefit are confusing in their terminology and clearness about the benefits.

Fortunately, we have trained our staff members here at Rich's for the Home to answer your questions. Here are some of the most common ones:

Q- How much is the tax credit for?

A- It is for up to 30% of your purchase price, up to $1500.00. 

Q- How do we get the tax credit?

A- After purchasing your stove, keep your receipt. There will be room on the bottom of your tax forms for your credit. In addition, if you file your return electronically through a service, many have added the question to the list that you answer as you prepare your return. Retain your receipt with your tax records.

Q- Can I claim this credit for a stove placed in my vacation home or a home that I use as a rental?

A- No, the credit covers only a stove for your primary residence. Vacation homes and homes that you rent out to others do not qualify.

Q- We bought a stove right before the legislation was approved. Is there anything that we can do to receive the credit?

A- Yes, if your stove was purchased January 1, 2009-June 1, 2009, your purchase will still qualify for credit. 

Q- We've heard of the 75% efficiency requirement. How is that determined?

A- According to HPBA, the manufacturer of the stove must provide certification that the product tests for at least a 75% efficiency rating using the lower heating value i.e. the heat value of a combustion process assuming that none of the water vapor resulting from the process is condensed out, so that its latent heat is not available.  

Q- What should a retailer provide?

A- According to HPBA, retailers (and consumers) must keep exact records of any sale or purchase.  Retailers should provide a consumer with the manufacturer's certification statement for the specific product model purchased. A consumer may rely on a manufacturer's certification statement that their products are qualified energy property. Manufacturers should make this certification document available to consumers on the web, in the product packaging, or in some other easily accessible manner. 

Q- What should I do if I have more questions?

A- The IRS Notice is available for your review. In addition, feel free to come by a Rich's for the Home location to browse our selection of stoves. We are happy to help!