Small Home Appliances » Appliances

Buying a Refrigerator and Other Appliances

admin — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 22:55:41 +0000

Purchasing a big appliance such as a refrigerator, washer or dryer is a major decision. Comparison-shopping is a must, so that you don’t end up paying more than you have to. On the other hand, don’t sacrifice safety, convenience and reliability just to save some dollars.

Consider first what features you need as well as the size and capacity that your home can accommodate. A refrigerator with an ice-maker or reversible door, a washer or dryer with sensors for blocked lint filters and humidity changes – these are great to have, but do you really need those features? Remember that the price goes higher as you go up a model and more features are added.

It is always better to measure the space where you plan to put the appliance before going to the store. After all, the time to know that you need a 33-inch-wide refrigerator between the countertop and wall is before the store delivers a 36-inch model. If you are going for a built-in look for your laundry area, getting the dimensions of the cabinet that will house the washer and dryer will save you the effort and cost of replacing a wrong purchase.

Capacity is another major factor. Consider the use that the appliance will get. For instance, if you have a growing family, you will need a bigger appliance compared to a couple with no children.

A refrigerator that is too big and not kept filled wastes energy and costs more to operate, while a refrigerator that is too small wastes your time because of the constant rearranging that you have to do to make things fit. For washer dryers, it is important to coordinate the capacity of one with the other. You need a bigger dryer space (about twice the capacity of the matching washer) for clothes to tumble more freely and dry faster.

Is the appliance easy to use and maintain? Your dealer should have available manuals from the floor models that you can read to help you ask relevant questions, understand how the appliance is operated and let you know it needs any special care or handling. Also, make sure that authorized factory service is readily available in your area for the brand that you select.

All appliances come with a warranty, and it is important to read and understand this before making a commitment. The coverage can include the whole appliance or just certain parts, and some even include the cost of labor. The period covered by the warranty also varies by brand or model.

It also helps to ask your dealer about promotions or discounts. Buying a washer dryer combo of the same brand might be less expensive than if you bought them separately or if you bought different brands. Sometimes, appliances bought online come with mail-in rebates that gives you bigger savings than if you purchased them at a store.

By: Ty Hammell

How to Save Money on Your Next Appliance Purchase

admin — Fri, 21 May 2010 12:56:30 +0000

Purchasing a new appliance is a major money decision. You need to be not only an informed consumer, but also ready and willing to hunt down the best prices. In this article, we’ll tell you 7 great tips that you can use to save money on your next appliance purchase.

1. Buy the right size.

Don’t buy an industrial-sized fridge for a family of three when a smaller, cheaper and more energy-efficient model will do. Instead, take a cue from the Europeans and learn that smaller is often better.

2. Go shopping at the end of the month.

If you’re purchasing your appliances from a retailer with commissioned sales clerks, you’ll find they’re typically much more likely to negotiate on the last day of the month than the first. Because sales people need to meet targets and monthly quotas, they’re more motivated to sell at a lower price.

3. Take a retailer up on their price guarantee.

If a retailer is advertising that they’ll match and beat any lower advertised prices, take them up on it. Look for the particular brand or model you’re interested in online and chances are you’ll find a lower price somewhere. Bring in a printout of the competitor’s price and take your local dealer up on his price-matching offer. You’ll save the shipping costs you would have incurred from the online retailer.

4. Don’t buy when you can refurbish.

If you can repair or upgrade an appliance that’s running relatively efficiently (and isn’t an energy bill guzzler), then do so instead of replacing it. You’ll find that repairs and extending the life of an already-efficient appliance are cheaper than a totally new unit.

5. Ask when the floor models go on sale.

Usually a few times a year, retailers will put their floor models on sale to make room for new merchandise. Get in the know and ask when these sales are happening. You can save anywhere from 30-75% just by purchasing a floor model.

6. Get the sales clerk working for you.

When your sales clerk asks if there’s anything he or she can help you with, simply tell the person you’re looking for a bargain. They usually know about returned items in the back that are heavily discounted or good deals that may otherwise go unnoticed. By tapping into the expertise of your sales clerk, you can often save a lot of money.

7. Always buy energy efficient.

It may cost more now, but you’ll save hundreds of dollars on your monthly energy bills. The unit will pay for itself in a few short years.

By: Jason B. Cox

Washing Machines and Laundry – A General Overview

admin — Tue, 04 May 2010 12:02:15 +0000

You can buy a standard washing machine quite inexpensively these days. Washing machines have been around for a long time now and unless you are getting an appliance with a particularly large drum size or with up to the minute technological features, you can get some really good deals if you are on a budget. One of the lowest priced washing machines that is available is the Beko WMA 520W at around the £200 mark, and the most expensive is the Maytag free standing washing machine MAF2002AES at over £1000 according to todays prices on the internet. Of course, there are plenty of washing machines that come in between these two and have varying features. But generally, this shows that whether you are after a washing machine on a budget or want an appliance with all the trimmings, there is something for everyone.

There are three basic types of laundry appliance- washing machines, tumble dryers and combined washer dryers. The latter can be an excellent option if you need to save space. The tumble drying capacity in a washer dryer is usually less than the actual washing capacity, but most models these days allow for 6kg of washing or 4kg of drying at a time.

If you have plenty of space in your kitchen though, or even a separate utility room, you will probably decide to purchase a separate washing machine and tumble dryer. This generally allows for larger capacities, which is great for larger families. But not only that, having separate appliances means that you can wash and dry at the same time, so whilst one load is in the tumble dryer, you can get the next load into the washing machine, taking you less time and keeping your washing routine running smoothly.

One great feature to look out for is the automatic timer, which means that you can set exactly when you want the washing machine to turn on. This means that you can take advantage of the lower electricity rate overnight by setting your load to come on a couple of hours before you wake up. If you do plan to do this though, make sure that your machine has also got a ‘quiet’ or ‘very quiet’ rating for noise levels so that it doesn’t wake you up any earlier than you need to be.

Laundry appliances are generally available as free standing appliances or integrated appliances. More and more people are beginning to opt for integrated appliances whether it be refrigeration, ventilation or laundry appliances. One way of hiding your laundry appliances is to have a separate utility room, but if this is not an option and you would prefer to keep your washer and dryer out of sight and out of mind, then an integrated appliance is probably the best option for you. A panel is usually placed over integrated appliances which is designed to match your existing cupboard doors so that you would hardly even realise that it were there.

If you do not mind your appliances being on display, then there are over three hundred free standing laundry appliances available on the market today, of which most are in the price range of between £300 and £600. This is probably a good price to be looking at for a laundry appliance as for this kind of money, you are likely to get a mid- range appliance with a decent drum capacity, a good energy efficiency rating and it should not be too expensive to repair should anything ever go wrong.

Obviously, like most things, you get what you pay for. If you get a cheaper appliance that you are going to be using all the time, the likelihood is that it is going to need repairing more often than a more expensive appliance. However, a more expensive appliance will probably cost more to repair if it ever does need to be repaired than a cheaper appliance. So it is really a case of balancing initial cost, features and how much it will cost to maintain.

By: Braeg Heneffe

Upgrading Your Old Appliances

admin — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 04:10:15 +0000

If your appliances in your home have been there for quite a while you may want to consider upgrading your appliances for several different reasons. Updating your appliances can be a hard choice with the variety that is available now. If you are in the market to upgrade your old appliances there are a few things you should know.

The appliances in your home include your stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, washer, dryer, hot water heater and your furnace. You may have all of these appliances or some. If the appliances you have are over ten years you may need to upgrade. The appliances made a long time ago are not energy efficient and may cost more to run. When you compare your yearly power bill from one year to the next you may see an increase as you use the appliances. The newer appliances can save on your power bills because they do not require much energy to run them.

Dishwashers are probably the least appliance used. No one uses the dishwasher in fear that they will use too much water and energy to run and therefore choose to wash dishes by hand. The good news is that with an energy efficient dishwasher, the amount of water and energy that it takes to run the dishwasher is minimal. In fact you may use more water washing your dishes by hand then what you would use in a dishwasher during a single cycle.

Refrigerators are becoming an appliance of convenience due to the fact that it is no longer necessary to open the door in order to get ice and cold water. Now it can be accessed from outside the refrigerator on the door. This not only provides you with a constant supply of ice and cold water for drinking but it also saves energy because you do not open the refrigerator door to access them. This can save you a lot of money on your power bill each year since this is the reason why the refrigerator is opened so often.

Washers and Dryers are now being made to be energy efficient as they save on the amount of water they use as well as the many different cycles and selections to make that will wash your clothes and dry them on the first try. If clothes do not get clean on the first cycle we usually put them back to wash again. This can cause you to use more energy, more water and heat. Dryers can not dry efficiently on the first cycle if the load is large or the wrong settings are used. This may cause you to use your dryer more than once in order to dry your load of clothes.

Modern appliances are not only easier to use with all their different settings but they are more efficient as well. Choosing to upgrade your appliances may be a big expense initially but after a while the savings will more than pay for the appliance. Most appliance stores can offer you all the latest in home appliances.

By: Bill Brennan

Big Ideas Come in Small Packages – Mini Home Designs

admin — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 13:10:03 +0000

Mini home designs are perfect little residences with all the comforts you need to live quite comfortably and luxuriously. They are designed to be used in a variety of circumstances. Mini homes are great for vacation homes and for areas where buildable land is scarce. But they are also great for starter homes, retiree homes or for families on a budget. There are mini homes built as cabins too. In other words, mini homes are versatile for many situations.

Mini home designs are prefabricated homes that are also called one-module. They can range in size, but the smallest ones are normally used as vacation homes. A small mini home would be 380 square feet for example. The larger mini homes can be larger going up to 1,200 square feet. Beyond that you’re talking about standard home sizes.

Mini homes are designed to include everything you need for comfortable living, and even aspects of the more luxurious. They include a kitchen, lounging space, bathroom and bedroom. Everything is efficiently designed to fit in the smaller space, but you can choose to customize many options. They can be built with wood floors and include popular appliances and high end plumbing fixtures. They can be reminiscent of a motor home with expandable room, without the wheels or motor of course. They also come with unique exterior styling, which can also be customized.

Mini homes can be built to sit on almost any kind of slab or even a gravel pad. But mini homes can also be set over a basement. Even economies of scale aside, people concerned with the environment appreciate these small homes. Since they are prefabricated they use less energy to produce, and they are also energy efficient. The homes are well insulated and often manufactured using environmentally safe components such as recycled materials and paints with no VOCs (volatile organic compounds).

The mini home designs include styles are that are components you can configure. You can choose the floor plan that will fit the small area where you plan to build. Some designers believe the mini home is the home of the future for many families. The cost of housing continues to skyrocket, and the mini home makes it possible for some people to afford a new home. This is especially true where land space is limited or expensive.

If you need a vacation home or a full time residence, the mini home is one option to consider. You can buy your home already made, have it set on a pad, and then add an outdoor patio. It’s all the comforts of home at a much more reasonable price tag.

By: Gregg Hicks

Never Run an Empty Dishwasher and Other Appliance Tips

admin — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 00:04:18 +0000

Appliances count for about a fifth of the average household’s energy consumption. Buying and using them wisely means big savings on your monthly energy bills. Keep reading for great appliance tips that will keep your kitchen humming and your wallet singing.

1. Use your dishwasher.

It may sound strange, but a dishwasher actually uses less water than an average session of hand washing dishes. Thanks to modern technology, dishwashers are a lot more efficient these days and use about 5-7 less gallons of water than washing by hand. Meanwhile, replacing an older model can save you about $50 a year on your water and energy bills.

2. Never run an empty dishwasher.

Because a dishwashing cycle is going to use the same amount of water and energy whether it’s full or you have a single spoon in there, you ought to fill it up. Waiting until it’s full before you run it will reduce your energy bill along with the number of times you have to run your washer. It will also save you the additional physical labor of putting dishes away more frequently.

3. Use all the features on your dishwasher.

If your dishwasher has an option for air drying your dishes, use it. If it lets you rinse your dishes in cold water, use that too. Don’t invest in an energy efficient dish washer and then not cash in on all the great features that save you energy and money.

4. Wash clothes in cold water.

Unless you’re washing pristine whites that have to come out looking like virgin snow, start washing your clothes in cold water. You can even buy special cold-water detergent that’s more effective in a cold water cycle. This simple energy saving tip can save your family over $100 a year.

5. Keep that oven door closed.

Are you compulsively checking on dinner by opening the oven door? Well, the result is a lot of wasted energy. Every time the oven door is opened, an oven loses about 20 percent of its heat and has to turn back on to regain it. Instead, get in the habit of using your timer and oven light to look in on your chef’s masterpiece.

6. Shine your burner elements.

If you have electric burners on your stove with reflector bowls underneath them, you can save energy by keeping them clean and shiny. Dirty bowls will absorb heat, but shiny and clean ones will reflect it back to the burner and your pot, meaning less energy being used.

By: Stephen Clayton

KitchenAid Artisan 5 Quart Stand Mixer For Your Home

admin — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 15:47:57 +0000

Are you looking for a new mixer to use in your kitchen at home? KitchenAid artisan 5 quart stand mixers are top of the line when it comes to a great reliable mixer that you can count on to get the job done. A KitchenAid artisan 5 quart stand mixer is great for mixing whatever needs to be mixed. This mixer will perform all of the mixing needs that you may have as well as look good while it is sitting on the counter top in your kitchen.

If you have a color themed kitchen that you have been working hard on then you will be able to find that KitchenAid artisan 5 quart stand mixers come in a variety of colors so you will never have to worry about not finding one to match the rest of your appliances and dishes. This is a huge advantage that you will not find with a lot of other brands of mixers on the market.

Another thing that you will notice is the low price of a KitchenAid artisan 5 quart mixer. You will notice that these mixers perform a lot of different functions when it comes to mixing and stirring that can be compared to the functions of a mixer with a higher price tag.

You will love the look and feel of KitchenAid artisan 5 quart stand mixers and the way that you are able to mix and stir your food with ease. You can find these mixers available in stores in your area, but you will be able to get a much better deal and experience a lot more convenience by shopping online

By: Jeff Sherwood

How Power Savers Work – Basic Buying Tips

admin — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 04:49:02 +0000

Can you really save 40% on your electricity bills by plugging a small box into your AC socket?

In the past six month a number of products have been advertised on TV and online which seem too good to be true. I’d like to explain the reality of these exciting claims and give you a layman’s understanding of how Power Savers work.

A Power Saver is a device which you plug in to your power socket. Apparently just by keeping the device connected it will immediately reduce your power consumption. Typical claims are savings between 25% and 40%.

The technology behind Power Saver units comes from German research coupled with Asian manufacturing and it is based on sound scientific principles.

Electricity is not stable. When electricity flows the voltage can rise and fall all the time. The rises in voltage are known as ‘spikes’ and they cannot be used by your appliances at all. All these spikes do is waste your electricity. These power spikes also convert electrical energy into heat energy which leaks power from your circuit. Not only that but the heat will also do long-term danage to your wiring and to your appliances.

There are a few Power Saver models on the market but they all work along the same principle. They store the electricity inside of it using a system of capacitors and they release it in a smoother way to normal without the spikes. The systems also automatically remove carbon from the circuit which also encourages a smoother electrical flow. This means that you will have less power spikes. More of the electricity flowing around your circuit can be used to power your appliances than before.

There are many factors which do affect the efficiency of your Power Saver. The device works immediately after plugging it in although it can take as long as 8 days before it has adjusted itself for peak performance. The rate of savings will depend on what kind of appliances you have connected. All appliances are different but expect savings of up to 25% on lights, 30% on air-conditioning units and up to 35% on other appliances.

The highest savings will be in areas where voltage supply is less stable. Locations close to shops, restaurants and light industries tend to gain additional savings from Power Saver devices.

So how can you be sure that your Power Saver is working correctly?

Most often Power Savers come fitted with a light to indicate that it is working. If you have access to an electricity meter then you should see it immediately slowing down. Assuming that the light is on and that you leave the device unattended you can expect savings immediately. Be aware that often electricity companies will not take meter readings each month. Often bills are calculated on monthly averages which self-correct over time so please be aware of that in using your bill as a guide.

Finally, it is highly recommended to order your Power Savers from companies offering 100% guarantees for longer than 30 days. Remember that 30 days may not be sufficient time to truly know if the device is working as effectively as you expect. Try to work with companies that extend their guarantee dates to at least 60 day which gives you a much longer period to assess the benefits.

By: Martin Pavion

Mini Refrigerators For College

admin — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:28:21 +0000

Small refrigerators, often referred to as mini refrigerators or compact refrigerators, are great at offering conveniences for many people in many different living scenarios. For most people a mini refrigerator serves the purpose of a backup or supplemental appliance to their primary, full-sized refrigerator. But for a small college dorm room where refrigerating needs are limited a mini refrigerator is popular because it does the job on a small, compact scale.

Small beverage refrigerators are commonly used in homes that are large enough to enjoy the convenience of having a small refrigerator in or around an area or room that is frequently used for gathering of people, such as an outdoor refrigerator in the backyard or a beverage refrigerator in the bar or game room.

In college the needs are limited to snacks, leftover pizza, and drinks. A mini refrigerator serves these needs and not much more. For a busy college student who is occupied with either studying or partying, maintaining a full sized refrigerator is not only impractical but impossible with the limited amount of living space available. It is perfect for storing enough food for a meal and a half.

But being a college student means more than limited refrigerating needs and limited living space. Most typical college students have very temporary living situations that requires a lot of moving. That means most students do not own much furniture or large appliances. A small refrigerator is easy to move around and can be transported without excessive assistance. It can be laid on its side to fit in a standard commercial vehicle but remember to let the refrigerator sit up right for a couple hours before plugging in the power.

By: Will Edison

Home Decorating Ideas For Moving From A House To A Small Apartment

admin — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:27:01 +0000

Do you need home decorating ideas for moving from a house to a smaller apartment? If that is the case, you are probably worried about creating an open and welcoming look for your new place. These decorating ideas will provide you with a better perspective and make this move much easier on you.

If the truth be told, you will most likely have a difficult time trying to fit all of your things into your new apartment. At this point, you need to decide what is essential and what you can live without. Take into consideration furniture and appliances you currently own or actually need to buy.

Next, determine what strategies for down-sizing will be the most successful. Do you prefer recessed or freestanding storage? Recessed storage works better while freestanding storage creates empty space around it and visually blocks the room.

Make the most of versatile furnishings that can be used for more than one thing. A hide-a-bed couch is a prime example of these types of furnishings and just might be what you need in this situation. Do not sacrifice comfort, so make sure the hide-a-bed is as comfortable as the couch! Always keep in mind the ease of using these types of furniture. This applies to all versatile furnishings and appliances.

Another space-saving idea includes fold-down furniture and appliances. A good example is the ironing board that comes down out of the wall when using and then stored away after each use.

This reminds me of recreational vehicles and trailers when considering decorating ideas for small apartments. They are well organized and present storage ideas that can be incorporated into decorating a small apartment.

Downsizing is not an easy task but something most of use will do for various reasons during our lifetime. You will be amazed at the feeling of simplicity when you have fewer possessions. You will have more time to enjoy friends, family and life in general!

By: Lynn Cressy