Home appliances are considered essential items. It’s difficult to live normal lives without them. From washing machines to vacuum cleaners, they help make life easier with their functionalities.
And so, when they malfunction and fall into disrepair, it can ruin daily routines and needless to say, wallets. If you’re currently in this situation, it’s important to choose the right home appliance that can both serve its purpose and be kind to your savings.
While budget is a major concern when shopping for home appliances, there are other factors to consider.
Cost-Effectiveness and Energy Efficiency
To determine the energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of home appliances, you must look for two government-required tags when shopping for appliances. You can easily see features in these labels that can help you buy appliances that save energy and money. It’s not just all about the price tag anymore.
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, consumers should look for the Energy Star and Energy Guide labels. The Energy Star label indicates the energy efficiency of home appliances. It can be found on products that meet the energy department’s standards for quality and energy efficiency.
The Energy Guide label meanwhile, can help you determine the operating cost of an appliance for the rest of its lifetime. It displays the annual energy consumption and its corresponding operating cost for most appliances. This can also help you compare appliances when you’re having difficulty choosing which one will suit your home best.
If you find it difficult to replace old appliances, think about the cost they will incur. Remember that appliances that were recently manufactured use 50% less energy compared to appliances from the 1990s.
Settings and Functionalities
It’s tempting to purchase an appliance that’s on sale. However, it’s more important to buy an appliance that will suit your daily needs.
For example, a huge washing machine and dryer combo can look great in your laundry room. If you wash just a few clothes frequently, it will be a waste of money considering the energy it will consume. Or, the most expensive freezer will be useless if you need to keep a lot of food in it, but it doesn’t have enough space.
Before you make a purchase, it’s also important to take a look at the fine print. Ask the salesperson or online seller if it’s possible for you to read the instruction manual. You need to understand the complexity of an appliance you’re about to purchase. You may be paying more for complicated machinery when what you need is actually just a simple one.
Look for appliances that have settings that you actually need. Extra functions can come in handy, but you will only rarely (or never) use those, so why spend more for them?
And finally, don’t get tempted by the looks of an appliance. Just because you think it will look good in your kitchen, it means you have to buy it.
More often the fact is, the best performing appliances aren’t always the easiest to look at. The key here is to focus on what you need and what’s important to you. Otherwise, you will have to deal with the financial consequences.
Extra Added Value and Service Enhancements
Purchase home appliances that come with service enhancements and extra added value. They come in various forms: warranties, flexible financing, free shipping or delivery, yearly check-ups, maintenance, and repairs.
But the question here is, should you be purchasing a new appliance already instead of getting it repaired first? For example, if your vacuum cleaner is still in good condition and it has no other component issues, just simply bring it to your local vacuum repair shop. Or, if you’ve been using your dishwasher for more than ten years now, it’s best to replace it with one that is energy and cost-efficient.
As for warranties, experts recommend steering clear of extended forms because they are not worth it. You will still eventually pay for labor no matter how long retailers extend their warranties.
Compatibility
You can definitely give in to the temptation of sales, but only if appliances are bundled with other appliances that will complement its functions. When looking for bundled offers, choose appliances that are compatible with each other. For example, a smart TV and a Bluetooth speaker, a fridge and a food processor, or a coffee maker and toaster.
It’s easy to shop for home appliances if you’re impulsive, easily convinced by ads, and influenced by social media. You will, however, get your money’s worth if you are a discerning shopper. Just follow these simple considerations and you will easily find what you’re looking for.