WATER HEATERS
Standard Vent. This top-of-the-line water heater includes automatic sediment clearing, a cross-link polymer dip tube, a factory-installed pressure-relief valve, and a glass lining that the maker says provides twice the corrosion resistance of competitive models. The 40- and 50-gallon Conservationist units each deliver 40,000 Btu per hour using natural gas (an electric model is also available) and recover 41 to 44 gallons per hour at a 90°F rise. Standard ventilation is required. The units cost $600 and $700, respectively. A.O. Smith, 800/527-1953, www.aosmithwaterheaters.com
Hot on the Spot. Continuous hot water on demand isn't a new idea — but it's a good one, given the right application. At a temperature rise of 45°F, the Pronto! RTG-74 claims a 7.4-gallon-per-minute flow rate, enough to supply one or two single-head showers without depriving the next person in line of hot water. The unit measures 24 by 133/4 by 95/8 inches, takes 3/4-inch water and gas (natural or propane) connections, and requires a 4-inch-diameter vent. Suggested retail price is $1,149; a smaller, 4.2-gpm unit costs $889. Rheem Water Heaters, 800/621-5622, www.rheem.com
Loop System. The D'Mand Hot Water Delivery System is a button-activated pump that kicks in to deliver hot water to an outlet in mere seconds. A point-of-use temperature sensor deactivates the pump when the hot water arrives. The system requires a return water line to the cold-water inlet at the water heater, and it is compatible with the manufacturer's proprietary cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) tubing. Model 100 serves systems with tubing runs of less than 100 feet and costs $395; Model 200 handles longer runs and costs $650. Uponor Wirsbo, 800/321-4739, www.wirsbo.com
A Tankless Job. Thoughtful clients eager to conserve natural resources may worry that a tankless heater won't be up to the task of supplying more than one major outlet at a time. Fear not: The gas-fired GWH-635-ES heater is more than capable, says the maker, with a maximum output of 6.35 gpm at a 45°F temperature rise. It costs $1,200. Controlled Energy, 866/330-2725, www.protankless.com
CABINET HARDWARE
Keep Out. EasyLock hardware discreetly prevents access to cabinets containing household poisons or prescription medicines. The magnetic card-actuated device is easy to retrofit or relocate, says the maker, and costs $32.60. Hettich America, 770/887-3733, www.hettichamerica.com
Wired for Efficiency. Drawers are arguably more efficient than shelves for storage, and drawer organizers extend that argument to the max. The 5389 and 5390 Series of heavy-duty chrome wire pull-out cookware and dinnerware baskets ride on full-extension slides. The wire is coated with a transparent epoxy to reduce contact noise. Organizers come in two sizes, for 21- and 33-inch-wide base cabinets, with a suggested installed cost of $315 to $395 each. Rev-A-Shelf, 800/626-1126, www.rev-a-shelf.com
Around the Corner. Can you use "hypocycloid" in a sentence? No matter — now you can use it in your corner cabinets. The Crazy Suzy is a three-cornered shelf with a unique rotation that allows it to extend out of the cabinet. This configuration also provides more usable surface area than a standard carousel. The shelf costs $129 and requires about 20 inches of clearance for installation inside the cabinet. Turn the Corner, 412/343-3305, www.turnthecornerllc.com
Metal Option. Whether you're making custom cabinets, ordering them, or just replacing the faces,the AF Series Aluminum Cabinet Doors are worth a look. The five tempered-glass options in this collection come with aluminum frames, which can be ordered in 1/16-inch increments and arrive fully assembled. Costs are competitive with those of comparably sized solid-wood doors, says the manufacturer, and there are no minimum orders. Element Designs, 704/332-3114, www.element-designs.com
