The serial number is not accessible from the front of the machine or without pulling the unit out ??? That's ridiculous. David - are you saying you got each of those units for less than $3250 ea. ? That is an exceptionally good price, and probably worth the hassle you've gone through. FWIW - that is approx 50% off of what those Northlands sell for normally. There is only about $200-$250 difference list price between the same SZ 36" all fridge/freezer in stainless steel and the comparable Northland model. SO, like for like, it's pretty much a wash unless your dealer is giving you some sort of steep discount. Re: the racking. SZ has the full length channel too, they just choose to offer less customizable bins and shelves. The stainless of the Norhthland is more durable than the SZ plastic all things being equal, but it puts off some people also because it looks too commercial. As far a unreliable - I've read that EVERY SINGLE BRAND OF REFRIGERATOR IS UNRELIABLE (including Northland) , on the internet of course. And they are, no company makes makes totally reliable products year in and year out and satisfies all customers. Here's what I can say about the two: Over the last 40 years or so SZ has consistently produced high quality high priced built in fridges that last 20+ years. They have also continued to innovated their offerings like the first fully integrated fridges for the U.S. market, the drawer concept for residential. Other companies are starting to catch up though. Their sales go up and up , which allowed them to buy WOLF to expand their business. Northland on the other hand has flat sales and pretty much has the same box, technology and offerings they had last century. They are quality units to be sure even with their quirks. They just can't seem to crack the built in fridge market that has been dominated by SZ, GE Monogram, and now the offerings from BSH's Turkish plant. In fact they have done so well that they were acquired by the AGA group. We'll soon see just how good the product really is as AGA's marketing machine will certainly try to jumpstart sales to keep the new factory running and has the network to flog the product in place. Bottom line for me is- I would rather deal with privately held companies with long track records and family members involved in operations rather than - companies that have managers that are worried about short term goals (and their compensation) and their board's agenda and ultimately shareholders and the market, more than they are concerned with delivering a quality product to market.

Jakvis - thanks for the info. and you could easily be correct but I sure hope not. It's also possible that I didn't describe the problem in complete detail. I wasn't home while the tech was here so I'm relying on what DH repeated to me. The service tech did call Sub Zero while he was here and described the situation - whatever the problem was required recovering the freon. The tech told DH that the repair itself would only be a couple of hundred dollars but the additional cost was due to the freon recovery and second tech. He even suggested that we consider buying a new unit. We've used the same repair company for 16 years and we've always thought they've been honest and fairly reasonable in their charges. DH originally gave them a $300 check to cover the service call and for the parts that he would have to order. When we canceled the repair they promptly refunded all but $75 to cover the service call. I would hate to think that the tech was incompetent. I hope I'm not merely rationalizing since this was not an inexpensive purchase - I don't regret replacing the unit because it was definitely showing it's age and the abuse it received from my 4 sons. At the very least if we do list our home potential buyers won't be turned off at finding out the frig is nearly 26 years old and At that point we'll also have to decide if we want or need to replace the freezer - but we have other options if that happens. There isn't a soffit over the freezer and it's at the end of a cabinet run next to a doorway so we could easily opt for a smaller, less expensive unit.

Hi TD and thanks. We do have other gas appliances, and still are considering the gas generator backup so I feel that the dual fuel system is still of most interest. At present, one major dilemma is replacement of all of the ductwork, which was suggested by the Carrier dealer with the high prices, and the Trane dealer who miscalculated, waited weeks to give an estimate and did so only after I called them numerous times. They also have not yet gotten back to me with the corrected estimate. Also the latter really did not want to give me the equipment specs. The Lennox dealer has been very responsive. He initially recommended replacing only some of the ductwork, but thought we could leave the trunk lines alone for the most part. So one of the elements, which adds quite alot of expense, is whether or not to replace all of the ductwork. The Lennox dealer would be willing to do that, but it would add over 4k to the cost. Any thoughts on that? All the dealers commented on the adequacy of the duct system after a rather cursory inspection. When I questioned the Carrier rep. further he indicated that he could tell just by looking at a few spots that the ductwork was "too big in some lines and too small in others), and the branching from the main duct was not done properly. Also any thoughts on a good Lennox package? Is the package suggested by their bid adequate? It has I think a single speed (coil? compressor?) paired with a 15 SEER unit. He calculated that would give a 14 SEER used together. I have tried to find another Carrier dealer who services my area with no luck. The only other Carrier dealer is a national chain store. I had scheduled a visit for them to give me an estimate at the very beginning of this process; however, the appointment was cancelled with no follow-up. I called them back to reschedule and the earliest appointment that they have would be mid-June--I hoped to have installation complete by then! THe Lennox dealer said that had previously offered Carrier, but that the distribution center for our area was so unresponsive that they had many concerns about dealing with them because they had problems obtaining parts in a timely manner. The Carrier dealer also said that the distribution center did not carry some equipment such as the Carrier 14 SEER heat pump. Unfortunately, we live in a small town, and even the dealers from whom I am receiving estimates are in other surrounding towns--no one competent in our community! Thanks again for all of your help. Regards, Beth

Best of luck as you part with bucks for appliances which no longer are made to last. Chilling. 1). have a 501R sub zero 36" all refrig. No longer made 20+ yrs old. Had it serviced twice and it runs well still. ALL service folks tell me that for the price these days (5-6x what it cost in 1994) to NOT buy. So I went to liebherr on a second home remodel and LOVE it totally. 24" all refrig column with BioFresh drawers. Performance has been excellent, quiet, price is lower tier of upper end, unit is 5 years pls. 2) have had total misery with full freezers. Each one gets out of skew and frosts up around door. THREE of them so no more run of the mill models for me. Am looking and will either go Miele all freezer 30" 15cuft or Marvel 30" 19 (it is taller) if I can get some reviews... Noise and longevity performance being key... Not for the money but for the hassle of redoing things ! Cooking. 1) installed 36" iron grate blue star cook top 5yrs ago. Could not be happier. LOVE it. Heat, iron top cleaning, and yes that drip pan is old fashioned but the whole thing works, and the controls are away from the heat. 2). Super dislike the glass top 5 burner thermador gas cooktops. Mine is failing though in fairness it is old, but the cleaning a hassle and the BTUs are unimpressive, 3). Went to the capital factory in Calif when visiting there. Very good stuff comparable to blue star. Did not like that they mix st steel and iron on the burners and grates... Cleaning not as easy. Other features nice. IF I were choosing range vs components, then I would go capital over blue star on the range Baking. Disclaimer. I don't bake. Hence until 5 years I was a low use oven owner, (1) after Install of Blue Star GAS FRENCH door 30" wall oven that all changed. I can't tell you how super this huge honker is. The cavity is huge and don't discount that as you look at the high end ovens. The French doors are so damn convenient to get right up to a pan and turn or check it. The racks glide nicely. It has convection. I suppose the down side is not really a broiler of great acclaim. Do be aware that the unit, being nearly counter depth takes a lot of space above and below, (2) therefore am going with BLUE star French door wall oven again, in Electric also 30" in a remodel am about to start and am 'dumping' my traditional 30" electric thermador under counter (or wall I suppose) unit . The electric blue star French door is more compact than the gas I am not a range lover, Preferring to separate the large items (DW bake and cooktop) so that we can work in zones. Also drop down oven doors, wall or undercounter, aren't so convenient