Latest news with #AbtElectronics
NBC News
24-06-2025
- General
- NBC News
The 10 best fans to keep you cool: tower, pedestal, desk, and more
If you don't have an air conditioner or want to reduce your time using the one you do have, a fan is a great alternative. And its benefits extend beyond helping you regulate a room's temperature, says Carl Prouty, tech expert at Abt Electronics. '[Fans are] much quieter than window or wall air conditioners and they use far less energy, so their operating costs are much lower,' he says. They're also often more portable than air conditioners, so you can easily move them between rooms and bring them on the go. Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter. How I picked the best fans I talked to an expert about how to decide between various styles and highlighted features to consider while shopping. I also rounded up a handful of fans across styles and price points according to expert guidance. Fan type and size: Deciding which type of fan to purchase largely depends on where you're using it and how large a space you want to keep cool. Size also matters—bigger fans will circulate air throughout rooms, while smaller fans might just cool you down. Fan speeds: If you like to adjust the intensity of airflow coming from your fan, consider purchasing one with multiple speeds so you have options. Oscillation: This refers to the fan's ability to circulate air across a room. If you're trying to cool down a larger space, oscillation can help. Price: More expensive fans tend to have more bells and whistles, while lower-priced options are usually more basic in design. Best fans to keep you cool To help guide your shopping, I highlighted a handful of the best fans across various styles, including larger fans designed to cool entire rooms, tabletop and handheld options for personal use. For each model, I pointed out specs that might aid in narrowing down the best options, including oscillation, smart features, types of filters, modes and more. Best tower fans Built with an 8-hour timer, this fan has a hidden handle you can grip around your home. The fan also has a touchscreen display, which allows you to switch between modes easily. To help you eliminate dust accumulating over time, the fan comes apart so you can reach all its nooks and crannies. This tower fan has a twisted vent, which allows air to circulate in your room without constant oscillation. Plus, you can choose from four strengths and eight timing options. NBC Select commerce editor Cory Fernandez has used a Vornado tower fan for years and loves how strong it is. 'It's actually surprisingly powerful for a tower fan,' he says. 'It keeps me cool on super hot and humid summer days.' This portable fan has three flexible legs that you can bend and wrap around beach umbrellas, shelves, strollers and more. You can also stand it up and place it on a flat surface. The fan has a rechargeable battery and you can choose from three fan speeds. This personal neck fan is a favorite of NBC Select reporter Zoe Malin. 'This fan may be small, but it's powerful. Even on the lowest setting, it blows a steady stream of cool air toward my face and neck,' says Malin. The Comlife neck fan has three airflow speeds, and you can also adjust the airflow angle by twisting the silicone piece at the back of your neck. Depending on which airflow speed you choose, a full battery gives you between three and a half to nine hours of use, according to the brand. Best desk fans My office tends to get hot in the morning, so I keep this on my desk to cool me down. It takes up minimal space, but it's very powerful. I like the adjustable tilt head and manual swivel base, which allow me to angle the fan perfectly in my direction. I bought this fan years ago and it's still as good as new. Vornado also offers a retro, vintage-looking fan with an adjustable tilted head so you can easily change the airflow direction. This small fan is great for keeping on your desk at work during the summer or on any chair outside. The fan can fold flat when it's not in use and it has a built-in handle. You can also manually adjust the fan's angle. You can install this two-fan system in your window, just like an air conditioner, except it's much lighter and easier to secure. The fan comes with a remote to control the temperature and speed setting. The fan also comes with adjustable panels on the side, so you can ensure it fits in your window properly. This is built with an auto timer that shuts the fan off after 7.5 hours. You can also adjust its height and tilt angle. There are three speed settings and an LED display to help you keep track of your preferred fan speed and rotation settings. While this fan is a more basic, low-tech option, reporter Harry Rabinowitz says it works well, and he's used it for years. The fan is designed with a tilt-back head, allowing you to direct airflow upward or downward if you'd like to. It also has a wide base for stability. Best ceiling fan This ceiling fan, designed with five blades, also has a built-in dimmable light. If you get too cold, the brand says you can reverse the fan's blades to push warm air (which tends to rise to the top of rooms) downward. You can mount the fan in either a straight or angled position. Types of fans to consider When shopping for the right fan, decide whether to cool off yourself or a whole room. Household fans are usually needed when a space doesn't have air conditioning or a central air system. On the other hand, handheld fans are ideal for personal use, especially for travelers, those who work outside or want a burst of cool air while on the move. Here are the fan types you should know about, as well as the purpose of each: Ceiling fans are permanently installed on a room's ceiling. They move air around to keep rooms cool — during colder months, you can often reverse the airflow to circulate warm air. In addition to indoor ceiling fans, you can purchase models specifically designed for outdoor use on porches or under pergolas. Some also incorporate lights. Tower fans — sometimes called floor fans — are portable units designed to move from room to room. They're tall and narrow, so you can usually fit them in small spaces. Window fans sit in window frames, similar to air conditioning units. However, experts told us they use less energy and are easier to set up than window AC units. They bring in cold air from outside and are often more effective than traditional fans at cooling larger spaces. Remember that window fans must be removed when it gets cold out and can cause leaks when it rains. Desk fans are personal fans that attach to or stand upright on tables. Since you can also place them on top of a counter, bedside table or end table, you might also see them referred to as table fans. You can put these next to you while working, sleeping or watching TV on the couch. Pedestal fans are designed similarly to desk fans, but their base is at ground level. Stand-up fans are typically larger and taller than desk fans and create a stronger breeze, though they're still portable. Handheld fans are another type of personal fan. Due to their small size, they won't cool you off as well as other options, but they're convenient since they're cordless and portable. How to shop for fans Once you decide what type of fan you're interested in, consider whether the following features are important. Identify your must-haves in a fan and look for models that include those features. Remote controls: You can adjust the settings wherever you are in a room. Smart features: Some models have Wi-Fi compatibility, while others pair with a companion app, which allows you to control the fan, review air quality and usage reports and more from your phone. Fans may also connect to voice-activated smart devices for hands-free use. Filters: Similar to air purifiers, some fans come with filters that can remove allergens like dust or pet hair. For example, you may see fans built with HEPA filters, which pull out tiny particles from the air, or charcoal filters, which can eliminate odors. Before purchasing a fan, consider how often you'll need to replace the filter and how much the replacement filters cost. Oscillation: This refers to a fan's ability to move from side to side or up and down, thus moving air in multiple directions across a room. This helps the fan circulate cool air throughout a space instead of directing it into one spot. Modes: While some fans only allow you to manually program their settings, others have a variety of modes designed for different circumstances. Some have an auto mode, for example, which can adjust to a room's air quality or light, and others have a sleep mode that can dim an LED display. Meet our expert At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Carl Prouty is a tech expert at Abt Electronics. Why trust NBC Select?
National Post
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- National Post
Ryder Wins the Last Mile with 99.97% Damage-Free Delivery Rate for Abt Appliance Delivery
Article content Abt names Ryder Last Mile '2024 Carrier of the Year' for large appliance delivery. Recognition highlights Ryder's 99.97% damage-free delivery rate and 99.3% completion rate, through its qualified carrier network. RyderView TM technology meets rising demand for greater flexibility, with up to 70% of consumers wanting more visibility in delivery scheduling and real-time tracking. Article content Article content MIAMI — Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is the 2024 'Carrier of the Year' for Abt Electronics. Presented during Abt's annual awards ceremony at its headquarters in Glenview, Illinois, the award recognizes Ryder Last Mile for delivering, through its qualified carrier network, more than 6,400 appliance shipments last year, with an impressive 99.97% damage-free delivery rate and 99.3% completion rate. Abt also selected Ryder for 100% alignment on core values, which put customers above all else. 'Ryder's responsiveness, reliability, and hands-on approach to problem-solving have made them a trusted resource in ensuring that we can service our customers…' Article content 'Ryder's responsiveness, reliability, and hands-on approach to problem-solving have made them a trusted resource in ensuring that we can service our customers outside of our home base of Chicagoland with the same care that our own drivers have been delivering since 1936,' says Gary Quinton, logistics manager at Abt. 'This award celebrates that relationship and our many satisfied Abt customers.' Article content With RyderView TM technology, Abt customers can self-schedule and reschedule their last-mile deliveries at their convenience and easily track their orders in real-time – capabilities that, according to a recent study, 50% of all consumers now prioritize. And, for city dwellers, the importance placed on self-scheduling grows to 70%. Article content 'When Abt turned to Ryder to help grow its e-commerce business, we leaned in to what we know about ever-evolving consumer expectations. They increasingly crave options and flexibility with deliveries, value reliability, and expect real-time visibility into their orders. RyderView gives them that,' says Joel Eigege, vice president of Ryder Last Mile for big-and-bulky goods. 'We also know that satisfaction with online order delivery significantly influences whether consumers will purchase from brands again. That's why companies like Abt rely on Ryder's operational expertise and advanced technology solutions, so they can keep their promises to their customers.' Article content The Ryder Last Mile network services 100% of ZIP codes across the U.S., offering warehousing and tiered-delivery options, including white-glove service, and integrated returns management. Article content And, as part of Ryder's fully integrated, port-to-door logistics capabilities, Ryder's last mile and e-commerce solutions offer omnichannel fulfillment with two-day delivery across the entire U.S. and one-day delivery across the majority of the U.S., through a network of more than 150 sites strategically located throughout the country. Article content To learn more about Abt's 'Carrier of the Year' award, click here. Article content About Ryder System, Inc. Article content Ryder System, Inc. (NYSE: R) is a fully integrated port-to-door logistics and transportation company. It provides supply chain, dedicated transportation, and fleet management solutions, including warehousing and distribution, contract packaging and manufacturing, e-commerce fulfillment, last-mile delivery, managed transportation, professional drivers, freight brokerage, cross-border solutions, full-service fleet leasing, maintenance, commercial truck rental, and used vehicle sales to some of the world's most-recognized brands. Ryder provides services to businesses across more than 20 industries throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. In addition, Ryder manages nearly 250,000 commercial vehicles, services fleets at approximately 760 maintenance locations, and operates nearly 300 warehouses encompassing more than 100 million square feet. Ryder is regularly recognized for its industry-leading practices; technology-driven innovations; environmental management; safety, health and security programs; and recruitment and hiring initiatives. Article content Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements and information included in this news release are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on our current plans and expectations and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Accordingly, these forward-looking statements should be evaluated with consideration given to the many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements including those risks set forth in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all such risk factors or to assess the impact of such risks on our business. Accordingly, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
Chicago Tribune
11-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Transparent, $60,000 TV is one of five in nation, Glenview retailer says
Technology continually pushes boundaries, but LG Electronics has produced something clearly different, and there's only one in the country on display, according to an electronics and lifestyle store in Glenview. Abt Electronics is the first, said Marketing Manager Lyndsey Ager, to display the 77-inch see-through device from LG, which they're billing as the 'world's first transparent 4K TV with true wireless video and audio transfer.' It's not a prototype, Ager said, and it's for sale — for $60,000, or about 10 times the price of other high-end OLED televisions the store sells. As to why there's a need for a transparent television, Mark Sasicki, Abt general manager, said, 'The whole idea is to have the TV disappear into the room when it's not on. There has always been a demand for an unobstructed view.' That demand might become more important for people whose homes face a lake or skyline, where a transparent television wouldn't block the view like an ordinary television would, according to a video Abt made for the product. The television looks like a glass box, and while it's on display at Abt, it's programmed to show screensavers, including brightly colored flowers. Sasicki said the swimming fish are his favorite, since the television looks slightly like an aquarium anyway. The technology uses an electronic box which functions as a wireless transmitter that sends audio and video to the television, according to an Abt informational video. It must be positioned within 30 feet of the television, although Sasicki said that in the store, it's positioned behind the television. For serious television watching, a black screen can be lowered to cover the device's back wall and make it opaque. As with all technology, Sasicki expects the price for transparent televisions will come down eventually. He said Abt has fielded serious inquiries about purchasing the television, but any early adopter who puts money down for it will still have to wait five weeks for delivery.
Chicago Tribune
07-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Illinois braces for impact of new and potential tariffs: ‘Who will feel the consequences? Everyday Americans.'
Months ago, after then-President-elect Donald Trump started talking about implementing tariffs early in his second term, Leslie King sent an email to her bosses. King, who's been selling appliances at Abt Electronics in Glenview for about 21 years, was seeking guidance about what to tell customers worried about tariffs. Eventually, the company had an internal discussion about what to say, King said. 'We have to have a way to address it and make people feel not nervous because everything is expensive enough right now,' she said. At the moment, King tries to reassure tariff-wary buyers that putting a deposit on appliances locks in their prices — prices which may rise significantly after tariffs are imposed. And according to an Abt Electronics spokesperson, people have been buying appliances before they really need to in an effort to save money. Trump on Monday put off imposing 25% tariffs on all Mexican and Canadian goods for 30 days to allow more negotiations after the countries agreed to do more to halt the flow of illegal drugs and people entering the United States without legal permission. But Tuesday, Trump went ahead with a 10% tariff on all Chinese products. The new tariff on China will take a toll on trade between Illinois and China. It could really complicate matters for farmers in the state, who worry more retaliatory tariffs could be placed on the agricultural products they export if the nations' trade war escalates. The new and proposed tariffs could also increase the cost of appliances as well as building supplies, inflating the price of everyday home repairs as well as large building projects such as the one at O'Hare International Airport. Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday referred to the tariffs on the three countries as Trump's tax on working families. 'He's pushing us into an unwanted trade war with our closest allies and partners,' Pritzker wrote on X, formerly Twitter. 'And who will feel the consequences? Everyday Americans.' In 2023, Illinois bought about $44 billion in imports from China, including about $27 billion in computer and electronic products, according to the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Tariffs are paid by U.S. importers, who often try to pass along the higher costs to consumers through higher prices. China promptly retaliated by imposing tariffs on U.S. products, including coal and big cars. It also is restricting exports of critical minerals and launching an antitrust investigation into Google. In 2023, China was the fourth-largest purchaser of Illinois exports after Canada, Mexico and Germany, according to the state commerce department. Cécile Shea, a fellow with nonprofit Chicago Council on Global Affairs, warned Chicagoland would suffer greatly if the U.S. keeps imposing tariffs and other countries retaliate on certain industries. 'We're a banking capital here in Chicago and an insurance capital,' Shea said. 'If countries decide to retaliate against life insurance companies or banking companies or long distance medical consulting companies, that's going to hurt Chicagoland. But I haven't heard of China doing too much of that.' In Shea's mind, the tariffs on Canada and Mexico would have been 'disastrous' for the U.S. for many reasons, including the fact that the U.S. buys a great deal of food from its neighbors. However, the U.S. doesn't import much food from China. And, Shea added, the U.S. has been imposing tariffs on some Chinese imports since the first Trump term and former President Joe Biden actually implemented more. 'Companies now have adjusted to the new normal in various ways, and so now there's going to be 10% more on top of those, which is significant,' Shea said. 'But over the last eight years, companies, including some companies in Chicagoland for instance, have moved some of their manufacturing from China to Vietnam or Latin America. Some of them have moved it back to the U.S.' Even economists and politicians who normally oppose tariffs seem to agree that some tariffs on China make sense in the current economic climate and political environment, according to Shea. However, the tariffs from Trump's first term and the new ones have been criticized for being too broad, Shea said. In the past, countries that used tariffs used them very intentionally — they'd use tariffs to target industries which a foreign government was giving unfair subsidies to, for example. 'There's a lot of agreement that (intentional tariffs) make sense both because China does not always play completely fair in terms of competition and also because of real concerns about how the size of its economy could impact global security,' Shea said. Chicagoland Associated General Contractors, a trade association for commercial builders, put on a webinar on tariffs for its members Tuesday. Tom Cuculich, association executive director, said as with everyday products, many products used in construction are not manufactured in the U.S. While a good amount of the steel used in the Midwest is made in the U.S., lots of lumber used here comes from Canada and lots of components for HVAC systems and other electronic building systems come from Asia and particularly China, Cuculich said. The trade association has been monitoring the tariff talks for months in order to keep its members informed about what could happen to prices and supply lines. 'What (tariff talks) have created is uncertainty,' Cuculich said. 'And when there's uncertainty, there's risk. And risk in construction means money and delays in projects. We are heartened by the fact that the Mexico and Canada tariffs have been suspended, so that does bring a little bit more certainty to the market.' Cuculich said one focus of the webinar was contracts — and specifically, the importance of including clauses which protect builders if tariffs do increase prices. In LaSalle County, which is about 90 miles southwest of Chicago, David Isermann has been keeping a close eye on the tariff talks as well. Isermann, who's president of the LaSalle County Farm Bureau, said U.S. agriculture is dependent on exports. About 20% of agricultural and food products made in the U.S. are sold in international markets, according to the U.S. Agriculture Department. And China was the largest buyer of U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year 2023, followed by Mexico and Canada. '(Tariff talks) become concerning to us because what usually happens is if you put a tariff on somebody, they're going to retaliate by putting a tariff back on you,' Isermann said. 'And it seems to be they like to put the retaliation on agricultural products.' Isermann said during the first Trump term in 2018, China responded to U.S. tariffs by putting tariffs on U.S. soybeans, instead buying soybeans from Brazil. U.S. farmers received some payments from the government to make up for the loss of soybean business, but it was only for the first year of tariffs, Isermann said. U.S. farmers are just now starting to get some of that soybean export business back, he added. Currently, farmers in Illinois are getting ready to plant crops and looking at their finances. In order to plant, farmers need to borrow 'tremendous amounts of money,' Isermann said. 'We've either talked to our banker or are going to talk to our banker,' Isermann said. 'And we have to explain how we're going to get through this.' Farmers don't know for sure how much they will have to pay for imported agricultural supplies such as fertilizer, since their prices could go up if the U.S. implements more tariffs within the next month. And they can't be sure about how much they'll be able to sell their products for because other countries may put retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports in the coming months. Pat Cardoni, president of the Chicago chapter of the Building Industry Association of Greater Chicago and of Cardoni Custom Homes, said if the proposed tariffs on Canada go into effect, there may be a short-term increase in prices on materials such as lumber, and American homebuilders may look elsewhere for some of their goods. He thinks the Trump administration's discussion around lowering housing costs is a positive since they are so high, especially in Chicago, but the proposed tariffs seem like a 'political football.' The National Association of Home Builders denounced the proposed tariffs and said in a Saturday news release that more than 70% of softwood lumber and gypsum (used for drywall) imports come from Canada and Mexico, respectively, two essential materials for homebuilders. Tariffs also have the potential to hit the massive overhaul of O'Hare International Airport, one credit rating agency has said. The project is set to replace Terminal 2 with a new Global Terminal and add two satellite concourses. In December, before Trump took office, Moody's analysts said in a credit rating report potential changes to tariffs and immigration policy could pose risks for the costs of the project, especially since so little of the work had been locked in with construction contracts. 'With a renewed potential for an inflationary environment in 2025 with changes to tariffs and immigration policy, this poses risks to the cost of completing construction,' the analysts wrote, while praising an agreement the city and airlines reached in the spring. At that time, 17.5% of the project had been contracted out, according to Moody's. 'O'Hare is not unique in facing potential increased construction costs from tariffs, which we think could increase construction budgets for future contracts,' Moody's analyst Earl Heffintrayer said in a recent statement. Chicago Department of Aviation officials said in a statement they were monitoring tariffs and other market conditions, but it was too early to determine any potential effects on the airport project.
