The $160 Kobalt KT200A, a Lowe’s exclusive, packs plenty of power and speed, and the battery can be charged in less than an hour. We also like the easy handling of its rubberized grip. Lowe’s also carries the top-ranked model in our cordless drill Ratings, the Hitachi DS18DSAL, for $170.A portable generator is your best friend during a blackout, and the top-rated model in our generator Ratings is a big seller at Lowe’s, as well as a CR Best Buy. The 7,000-watt Troy-Bilt XP7000 30477, $900, delivered more than enough wattage to power our test appliances and it handled surges very well. Its 9-gallon tank should give you about 15 hours of run time, plus it features a fuel gauge and battery-powered electric start.Valspar, Lowe’s house brand, has many models on our winners’ list of interior paints. Valspar Signature Matte and Valspar Signature Semi-Gloss are both top scorers, thanks to their superior hiding. They’re also self-priming, which saves you time and money. The Valspar Signature Satin was less impressive, due to its gloss change.

For a satin/eggshell finish, you’re better off with Home Depot’s Behr Premium Plus Ultra Satin Enamel.Especially if you’re replacing exterior flood lights, go to Lowe's. The Utilitech 13-Watt (75W) BR30 Soft White Outdoor Flood LED, $20, was practically perfect in our tests, with an overall score of 98 boosted by its exceptional brightness. Another top pick for your outdoor fixtures is the Utilitech Soft White PAR38 90W 75232. It’s a CR Best Buy at just $7.50, though the trade-off for top value is very slow warm-up time. For indoor lighting, we like the Utilitech 100W Soft White CFL.Last year’s heavy snowfall caused a run on snow blowers in many parts of the country, so if you’re in the market, you should shop early. Lowe’s is as good a place as any, especially if you want a two-stage gas blower. The Troy-Bilt Storm 3090XP 31AH55Q, $1,100, is a CR Best Buy, offering superb removal speed, even when it comes to the tough pile deposited at the end of the driveway. Paying $100 more for the Troy-Bilt Storm 3090XP 31AH55R gets you slightly better handling.

Lowe’s Troy-Bilt standard lawn tractors tend to struggle in our tests (see below), but the brand excels in the zero-turn-radius, or ZTR, category. The Troy-Bilt Mustang 42" 17WFCACS is our top-rated model, and at $2,300 it’s a CR Best Buy. Notable features include hydrostatic transmission, a comfortable high-back seat, and a visible fuel gauge.Humidifier Does Not Work Humidifier Works But Not Well Like all appliances, sometimes humidifiers do not function properly and require simple troubleshooting and repairs.Typical problems are that they don’t work at all or that they work but fail to humidify a room properly. Always check your manufacturer’s instructions first, and understand that some repairs you perform yourself may void your warranty. Tabletop and console humidifiers are controlled by a humidistat that turns the unit off and on when the humidity levels stray from a set range. If you don’t believe your humidifier is maintaining the proper humidity for your room or house, check its humidistat.

Though a humidistat allows for more or less “automatic” operation, you will need to dial it up and down as the temperature changes in order to maintain fairly constant indoor relative humidity levels. Keep in mind that higher humidity levels in cold air will make the air feel colder. If you have a humidifier and your house feels cold in the winter, even when your heating system is working correctly, then your humidistat may be set improperly or may be working incorrectly.alen a350 air purifier and odor package To establish whether power is reaching the humidistat when you know there are no problems with the plug or switches, unplug the humidifier, remove the control panel, and lift the lid. phytoncide air purifierTest the humidistat with a multimeter or volt-ohm meter set to the RX1 scale (or to K-? or ? resistance on a digital meter). honeywell air purifier 50150-n review

Clip the meter to the humidistat terminals. The meter should jump if you turn the humidistat from high to low. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to replace the humidistat or return the humidifier to the manufacturer. When a humidifier doesn’t run, it generally means it isn’t receiving electrical power or the controls have automatically shut it off. Do the following to source the problem: 1Be sure the humidifier is plugged into an outlet that works and that the unit is turned on. Check the electrical receptacle for power using a working lamp, appliance, or voltage tester. If the receptacle seems to be dead, check the circuit breaker or fuse that serves the humidifier’s circuit. 2Check the setting on the humidistat. If it’s set lower than the room’s relative humidity, the humidifier won’t go on; in fact, it may take several hours for the humidistat to respond to the room’s changing humidity. 3Be sure the humidifier’s reservoir is full of water. 4Unplug the humidifier unit.

Check the power cord and, if need be, repair or replace it. 5Remove the humidifier’s cover panel. Remove the humidistat and check it as described above. Replace it if necessary. 6If the humidifier still doesn’t work, call an appliance repair person, take the unit into an appliance repair shop, or replace the unit. If your humidifier doesn’t do a good job or runs constantly, it may be undersized for the space or humidified air may be escaping from the room. 1Check the unit’s specifications to be sure it can handle the room size. 2Be sure your home’s doors and windows are closed; also check the fireplace damper. 3Be sure the reservoir has plenty of water. 4Be sure walls or curtains are not blocking the unit. 5Disconnect the power cord and clean the unit according to the owner’s manual. 6Lubricate the fan motor bearings with a couple of drops of light oil if the motor has oil holes (some units are oil-less). 7If the humidifier still operates poorly, call an appliance repair person or take the unit into an appliance repair shop.

A noisy humidifier may be the result of a fan motor or a drive mechanism that is not lubricated or is clogged with debris. Periodically clean the water reservoir, fan, and nozzle to ensure they are working properly. Lubricate the fan motor bearings with SAE #20 oil. Be sure to consult your owner’s manual for other proper care and maintenance procedures to keep your humidifier functioning smoothly and efficiently. Another cause of noise can be vibrating parts. To check for this: 1Unplug the unit, remove the cover, and look for any loose parts. Tighten any loose screws. 2Wiggle the fan to see if it is loose on its shaft. If it is, tighten the mounting fasteners. 3If the humidifier continues to makes noise, call an appliance repair person or take the unit into an appliance repair shop. If water drips or pools at the base of your humidifier:Check the pan or reservoir, and empty it if necessary. 2Be sure the wick, hose, or other water-delivery system isn’t kinked or fouled.

3Be sure there are no cracks or broken seals in the water reservoir. Odors are common because water stagnates in the tank. Over time, this grows mildew, mold, and bacteria that can stink. Cleaning a humidifier usually eliminates odors. Don’t use chemical household cleaners or bleach to clean a humidifier—they can leave a residue and be caustic to parts. Instead, use vinegar (its odor will dissipate quickly) and hydrogen peroxide to clean the reservoir and filter. Use these two non-toxic cleansers in sequence, first applying and removing the vinegar, and then repeating with the hydrogen peroxide (this helps remove the vinegar’s smell). Work with two spray bottles—one filled with full-strength white vinegar and the other filled with full-strength hydrogen peroxide. 1 Unplug the unit, empty the reservoir, and mop up any damp areas.Spray the inside with vinegar, allow to sit for 10 minutes, thoroughly rinse with clear water, and wipe with a clean rag or new sponge.