Small Home Appliances » Purchasing

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

A Guide to Purchasing Kitchen Appliances Online

admin — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:43:04 +0000

Living in the Unites States we have gotten used to the daily use of home and kitchen appliances. In fact I could go as far as saying that they have become indispensable. This is because they save us a lot of time and effort. This applies to devices like laundry machines, air conditioning, baking instruments, blenders and juicers. This article will focus on the importance of appliances in our lives.

Home Appliances

Given the size of the appliance market it should come as no surprise that the kitchen segment is one of the largest. This is partly due to the wide variety of appliances available. This includes dishwashers, refrigerators and stoves. In fact this can help you in the other parts of the house. This can include devices like vacuum cleaners and laundry machines. Which brings us to the actually purchase of these appliances…

Buying Method

If you approach the purchase of these devices from a traditional sense in terms of visiting multiple stores to find the best prices and etc you will potentially lose out on getting the best price. We the wide range of information available on-line it just makes sense to utilize it to get down to the specific features and capabilities of the appliance you want. An in store visit should only come after you have a solid list of criteria and you want to actually see the appliance in person. This can be useful if you have found several different competing brands and etc. The idea is to see them in person and figure out which one works the best for your needs. Once you have done this then it is time to…

Decide on the means and ways you want to purchase this item. We would still suggest that you use the Internet to do this. In most cases even with shipping included you will find a better price on-line. In fact sometimes you can use this as leverage in negotiating with a local vendor.

This article has briefly touched on the importance of appliances in the home. This included appliances in the kitchen and other parts of the house. The article also covered some of the best ways to purchase appliances. By following some of these tips you will find your purchases more satisfying.

By: John Redman

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

Selection and Installation – Air Conditioning Unit

admin — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:39:02 +0000

When choosing the correct air conditioning for your home, consider various options before making a final decision. There are permanent models, as well as portable air conditioning units that you may use to cool your home. The small window models are easier to install than a large unit, which may require the help of a professional.

If you find yourself without a central air conditioning unit, you could be miserable during the summer months. You can save yourself the misery by installing a small, and very manageable, single room air conditioning unit. Many homeowners choose to install such a unit in their bedroom, but that’s completely up to you. You can choose between an air conditioning unit that is removable for your window, or you may opt for a permanent installation in your wall. A portable window unit is the easiest to install and you will be glad to know that you won’t have to make any holes in your wall because most units just use a regular electrical outlet.

Before purchasing your window air conditioning unit, measure your window to ensure that you get one that fits perfectly. If possible, choose a window that is already near an outlet as this will save you from having to use extension cords.

Installation Of A Window Air Conditioning Unit

When you’ve purchased the perfect air conditioning unit, remove it from the box and follow the installation instructions. Your new air conditioning unit should include mounting hardware, which will need to be attached to your window. It’s important to read, and follow the instructions carefully. If mounting hardware is installed incorrectly, the air conditioning unit may fall from the window and cause damage to whatever lies in it’s path, not to mention the certain damage of the unit itself.

Now, you are ready to place the air conditioning unit into place. Open the window high enough to allow you room to place the unit and also some extra room for your arms to move without hitting the window.

It may be a good idea to have someone help you during this step, in order to hold the window open and to allow you the convenience of an extra pair of hands should the unit be difficult to balance during installation. Your new air conditioning unit should have handles for easy manageability, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make sure that the air conditioning unit sits properly into the mounting hardware and then close the window onto the air conditioner. Pull out the extensions, which should be located on the side of the unit, in order to close the openings between the unit and each side of the window. Once everything is in place, secure each extension to the sash according to the instructions.

Before wrapping up, look for a foam strip that should be included with your air conditioning unit. This product is used to fill the air gap in the window. As you finalize the installation, make sure that the air conditioning unit is secured in position using it’s mounting brackets and plug in the unit once you have completed every step as outlined in the owner’s manual.

It’s important to realize that each unit may be different and, therefore, each may have small variations in installation. By reading your owner’s and installation manual carefully, you will ensure a quick and easy installation. A window air conditioning unit should take 1-2 hours to install and is a recommended do-it-yourself project.

Repair Of An Installation Air Conditioning Unit

If your new air conditioning system is not functioning properly, unplug it immediately. Begin by reading through the troubleshooting section of your owner’s manual. If your system is under warranty, call the manufacturer, whose name and contact number should be listed in the manual. If the system is no longer covered under any kind of warranty, you may wish to call an air conditioning professional or simply replace the unit altogether. It is often more expensive to pay for repairs of an item than it would be to purchase a completely new air conditioning unit.

By: Steven Briesemeister

Budgeting For House Appliances Purchases

admin — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:00:52 +0000

Proper budgeting does not only imply accounting for your spending whether it is actual or future, it also implies comparing prices, and analyzing which is the best payment method to save as much as possible.
So, in order to budget any particular purchase, there are some steps that you need to take without taking any shortcuts. The main steps that you need to take are: Put money aside preferably on a savings account, selecting a financing method if you can’t come up with the whole amount and shopping around for the lowest price possible but taking into account the selected payment method and financing approach.

Saving, Saving, Saving

The practice of saving money is a very healthy one. You should have a savings account where you put at least ten percent of your earnings aside. A twenty percent of your income is far better and any amount above that is simply perfect.
Saving money prior to purchases can let you negotiate better and search for prices as you can always tempt retailers to pay in cash and request a discount for doing so. Credit card companies charge retailers a small percentage of the purchases and thus, paying in cash saves them a good deal of money.

The need of certain house appliances can be predicted and thus, you can easily budget a certain monthly amount to put aside in your savings account to purchase it. Even if you can not raise the whole amount when you actually need to purchase the appliances, resorting to financing with some savings will end up being less expensive than resorting to financing the whole purchase price of the goods.

Financing: Lines of Credit or Loans?

The most common option for these kinds of purchases is to resort to credit cards. A line of credit can provide you with flexible amounts for purchasing what you need and repayment programs that can accommodate to your budget on a monthly basis as long as you pay at least the minimum payments. However, the cost of this flexibility is rather high and sometimes it is not worth it. The interest rate charged for financing unpaid balances can be too high.

An interesting alternative is to resort to a personal loan. A personal loan can provide you with the money you need and at the same time commit you to pay a fixed amount every month so you don’t keep accumulating debt.
This fact may seem a small issue but that’s the main problem that credit cards cause and it is avoided when you use a personal loan for financing purchases. Moreover, you can always compare rates and terms from different lenders to make sure you get the best offer possible when purchasing whichever home appliance you need.

By: Kate Ross

Energy Efficient Appliances Save Money and the Environment

admin — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 09:43:06 +0000

If you are one of a growing group of people looking to save money around the home, you should investigate your electricity usage. Reducing the amount of electricity you use has two advantages: it will help you to save money and it is a good thing for the environment. A great way to reduce the amount you spend on your electricity bill is to choose appliances that are energy efficient.

If you are looking to purchase any new appliances, look for the following things:

The energy guide: It is a requirement in the United States, according to the Federal Trade Commission, that appliance manufacturers place labels on their products which indicate how much energy a particular appliance uses. This label, known as an energy guide, is most often colored black and yellow and is able to tell you a lot about the appliance you are considering. For example, it will indicate the cost of running the appliance in an average household for a year. It will also indicate the efficiency rating of the appliance in comparison to similar appliances.

The energy Star: This is a special logo that companies are able to use for their products to indicate how energy efficient they are. They are only allowed to display this Star according to law if the appliance has been tested and shown to meet or exceed particular energy standards as set by the government. An appliance with an energy Star can be as little as 20% more efficient than comparable models or as high as 100% more efficient. As a result, it pays off to purchase an appliance that has an energy Star: the higher the efficiency rating, the better it is for you and the environment.

Bigger is not always better. Some people are of the opinion that they need to buy the biggest appliance available. These people do not understand that the different sized appliances are to cater for different sized rooms and the needs of the people purchasing them. So, if you have a small, galley style kitchen, it would be a ridiculous waste of money and electricity to purchase the biggest air conditioner you can find.

You should also examine the size and needs of your family. If you are a small family of two or three, you don’t need a huge refrigerator, or a giant washing machine, or a large capacity dishwasher.

It might seem confusing when you have to look at all of these terms and numbers when purchasing a new appliance. You shouldn’t let this stop you from making a wise choice; these numbers and symbols and the information they contain are a powerful way for you to reduce your electricity costs over the long term. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, such as parts and repair warranty, and make comparisons before you make your choice.

By: Michael Benifez

Discount Appliance Parts – A New Trend in Marketing

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 11:55:15 +0000

Just as with so many other products and services that you can acquire locally, discount appliance parts can now be purchased online, often times for substantial savings. However; unless you are familiar with the process of purchasing appliance parts, there are a few things that you should know first.

Used Parts Online

Your first decision that you are going to have to make, is whether or not to buy used appliance parts. After all, at this point your appliance is made up completely of used parts. However; some parts you may not be better of buying used. For instance, inexpensive electrical parts and switches you might want to go ahead and buy new. On the other hand, larger non moving and non electrical parts can usually be bought used online for incredible savings.

Know the Model and Control Number

As a general rule, electrical parts are non refundable. This is because it is often times difficult to differentiate from an old and worn out part and a new one that someone is sending back. So make doubly sure you are ordering the right electrical part when you are ordering. This means that you will want to know the model number and the control number for any part you are ordering.

Read the Fine Print

The control number will usually be stamped right on the part and it is the number that the manufacturer uses for control purposes during manufacturing. Often times it will be a long number stamped or printed in very small lettering, so make sure that you see it clearly and write it down specifically.

Check the Manufacturers Website

Next you will want to know the model number for the appliance that you are ordering the part for. This can usually be found at the manufacturers website and make sure that you don’t get your model mixed up with a similar model.

By: Alexandria Everheart

Buying Home Appliances – Should You Consider Color Or Opt For Neutral?

admin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:10:02 +0000

Not many of us will remember the brightly colored home appliances that our grandmothers had. However, brightly colored appliances were the order of the day some 30 years ago. This could be shocking for people who do not want to have colored appliances in their homes.

Although home appliances today have shorter life-span than the ones around two or three decades ago, we still consider them to be long term investments. Therefore, people think carefully before making their purchase. Most of the people pay close attention to the color of the appliance. However, sometimes they are in a quandary whether to purchase colored ones or stick to neutral colors like white or black.

Whether to buy colored home appliance or stick to neutral colors ultimately depends on your buying strategy and the décor of your home.

If you are buying an appliance to replace an older one, then you should opt for a color that matches with the other appliances in the room. So, if the room has colored appliances, you should opt for the same color. And, if the room has neutral colored appliances, then go for neutral. This should be your maxim for purchasing a replacement appliance.

However, if money is not a criterion and you like to follow trends, then you should opt for colored appliances. This can make the kitchen look vibrant and cheerful. However, you also need to realize that these appliances can give your kitchen an outdated look in no time. Also, if the appliance has to be replaced some time in the future and you do not get the same color, you will be saddled with a mismatched appliance in your kitchen which will stick out like a sore thumb.

If you are replacing all the appliances in the kitchen, then check out the color of the flooring, the countertop and the tiles. You should make your decision based on this. Also, take into consideration whether you would be happy to have that particular color for the next 5 to 10 years. In case your answer is no, then it is best to opt for neutral finishes.

By: Kum Martin