The Holiday season has started, and with it hot holiday appliance sales deals. If you were considering to eventually replace your appliances – now it is a good time. As experienced appliance repair pros, we can only say that choosing the right appliances that will work well for your busy life is the key to their good service for many years to come.
A lot of appliance malfunctions are caused by inadequate use:
Overloading dishwasher
Overloading washer and dryer
Overstuffing refrigerator, or keeping it empty
Appliances are designed with specific capacity in mind to minimize wear and tear and to reduce a possibility of malfunctions.
Unlike when you move in the house when all the appliances are already installed – it is now when you buy new – you can actually invest in the appliances that not only look like you always wanted, but also will be the right fit for your family lifestyle.
Yes, the matte white or black matte finishes might be all the rage for home appliances now (as was stainless steel only a few years ago), but more importantly, you would want them to serve you well)
So, how do you keep your head cool during the special sales ad hot deals madness?
Tips on Buying a New Washer/Dryer Combo
Front loading or top loading?
Although top loaders are considered to be more durable and do not require you to bend when loading the laundry – front loaders use up to 65 % less energy and a third less water, as their drums are not filled completely during the washing. Sometimes, it might be a space related issue as front loaders are stackable, while for top loader you do need to dedicate space.
Fast Spin Cycle
Go for a speedy spin cycle. The faster the cycle, the dryer the clothes will come out, the less time you will need to spend on drying clothes in the dryer (and that is the most energy consuming appliance unit). Go for at least 900 rpm.
Go for the cycles you actually use
In the race for new marketing tricks manufacturers are often caught up in need to create new features – but not all of them are market driven. Some of them for sure sound nice in the sales pitch of a salesman in the showroom – but are you really going to use them?
Size matters
Think of your laundry load – do you tend to collect large loads every few days and stuff them into your washer, or you do prefer to do smaller loads every day? After all, there is whites, delicates, bedding, his, or her stuff? The capacity is measured in cubic feet:
3.5 cubic feet – can fit a queen size comforter
3.8 cubic feet – can accommodate a king size comforter
4 cubic feet is enough to wash 12-16 pounds of laundry
4.5 cubic feet can hold up to 20 pounds of laundry
And this is a very important number – as overloading your washer and dryer on a regular basis will eventually break them
Look for a dryer with a moisture sensor
It will override the manual setting and will shut down automatically, once the clothes are dry. And will save you a lot of energy and time
Noise
While you might not care much about how much your washer/dryer make down in the basement, or, even the ground floor,
Tips on Buying a New Fridge
Energy efficiency
A refrigerator is the unit that will use most energy compared to other appliances – indeed, it runs around the clock. Now you will be offered 2 options – with a freezer at the bottom, and vertically split. The option with bottom freezer is more energy efficient.
Flexible shelving
The interior of the fridge can be easily optimized if the manufacturer provides enough flexibility in shelving/bins solutions. Whether it offers electrical or manual adjustment mechanism – it does not matter much – the layout is the key. It will eliminate all the nasty spills and will help you keep all the products in sight. The material the fixtures are made of is also important – flimsy, easy to crack plastic shelves will have a risk of failing fairly fast.
Size
As with other appliances, the fridge size should reflect the need in actual storage. Often, customers go for a bigger model, once they realize that the current fridge, although still working cannot accommodate all of their weekly food supplies. Your fridge will serve you longer if you keep it evenly stocked throughout the week. The reality is, however, it often is overstocked on the grocery shopping day and gets empty in a few days – adding extra pressure on the condenser.
Finishes
Unless the fridge is a built-in you need to think about the practical finish. Until recently, the industry did not leave us much choice when appliances had to be all stainless. It looked great on the promotional materials, but in reality – showing every single print on its surface. From now and then the manufacturers were trying to throw in a bit of a color splash here and there. But indeed, since you buy a fridge for the next 15 years – it will probably outlive some of the trends.
Tips on Buying a new Stove
Consider the options!
As kitchen design becomes more sophisticated – there are much more stove options available now. First of all, it might be not a free-standing stove, but a built-in stovetop paired with an oven mounted higher for an easier access – you do not have to bend to reach food in your oven anymore. There are also options with dual oven compartments. A sophisticated chef or seasoned kitchen designer can now get pretty much anything they wish.
Convection Oven
Convection option, certainly, is a great option it helps to cook through faster (by about 25%) and more evenly by keeping a steady supply of hot air around the cooking food.
Induction Stovetops
Another gourmet option to a classic electric stove – an induction stovetop. It uses electricity as well but the heating element is a part of the cooktop and it also uses the principle of magnetism for the heating process. The great thing about it that your cooking times are substantially reduced. You might need to replace your cookware with induction capable (containing iron).
Easy to clean cooktops
Now hardly ever anyone will go for electric coil stoves, when glass and ceramic tops are available. At a higher price point, but you get that sleek modern look, plus they are really easy to clean (if you look after spills right away).
Warming drawers
It is a really great feature, that helps you to keep your food warm, after it is cooked and before it gets on the table.
Tips on Buying a new Dishwasher
Dishwasher capacity
Once again, evaluate realistically how much dirty dishes you are going through the day. One or 2 loads? The rack layout is important – think of the number of sets you will be able to wash. And it also helps if the racks have adjustable components, so that you can change the layout if needed.
Built In Dishwashers
The standard size for dishwashers are 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 35 inches high – that fits all the modern kitchen layouts. But if you are replacing an older model – you might have some problems as they were slightly bigger.
Kitchen layout – dishwasher location
You can never underestimate proper dishwasher placement spot in the kitchen, First of all you have to be able to open the door freely, so it has to have enough clearance at the front and on the sides. You also have to keep in mind the triangle sink- dishwasher- plate cabinet.
We hope we have taken the stress out of your appliances shopping. Buying appliances that are right for your lifestyle will certainly help them serve you better.
How To Choose Kitchen Appliances
Whether you are renovating your entire kitchen space, or you are just deciding on a new stove, there is a lot to consider when choosing appliances to get your money’s worth.
Did you know that kitchen appliances are the second most costly component of a kitchen renovation? They are the investments that make up your entire cooking space, so it is best to do your homework first. Don’t worry, though! It is all broken down here in this checklist.
Planning the Plan
Proceed with caution when choosing your appliances. It is possible you will fall in love with a large stainless steel refrigerator, but expect to be clobbered with a matching price tag. That is why it is best to outline your purchase before jumping right in. Consider the following:
Budget: How much can you afford to, or are willing to spend? It is essential that you decide on a budget before looking into specifics. By limiting your spending habits, you can search for appliances and other products that fit within your bracket.
Goals: First, you should identify your goals and priorities of your kitchen appliances. It is best to know what is essential to your lifestyle. Then, have a clear vision of what your new kitchen will look like. This way you can match your aesthetic with your needs.
Do Your Appliance Research
Now that you have blueprint for your appliance purchases that include your desired prices, appliance priorities and the look you want most, it is time to dive deeper into specifics.
Online Reviews
Online reviews are extremely helpful in this sense. While you have selected what features and look you want, you can run a quick internet search with the keywords for your ideal purchases. Now, you can see what other homeowners are saying about the appliances you are looking into based on their personal experiences with it. What better way to understand an appliance than from someone who has it? Reviews may include efficiency, maintenance, price and such to help you decide whether it is a good investment for you and your home.
Money, Money, Money!
It is a given, price is a huge factor. But, when you give yourself time to make an appliance purchase, you are more likely to comparison shop. By checking online and in store, and comparing store prices, you will aid yourself in finding the best deals and making a smart choice.
Another quick tip is to time your renovation with the expiry date of your kitchen’s major appliances. With this, you will have more time to save money will getting the most out of your older appliances.
Maintenance
An appliance will need a repair at one point or the other. However, you can limit that number or crush it all together by choosing a reliable appliance. Through research, review checking, and just simple in-store shopping, you can explore various brands and their guarantees to efficiency that fit your budget and your style.
Likewise, appliance extras, such as ice machines on fridges, are elements that can result in more maintenance. Consider whether or not these little luxuries are absolutely essential to ensure you can save more money stead.
Looking Good!
In line with maintenance and prices, style and looks are just as important to home owners as functionality and saving money. Here are some style and appliance tips that will also help you keep some money in the bank.
Dispensers: As previously stated, they result in more breakage than not. So, get rid of ‘em! Consider a fridge without one to save you money on repairs.
Steel: Homeowners are loving stainless steel appliances for their kitchens. The finish is water and rust resistant and increases home value.
Gas Vs Electric: In the case of stoves, consider convenience and durability. Gas models cook food faster but cost more. Electric ones instead have a sleek cooktop for easy clean up, but are more prone to damage.
Neutrals: Stay stylish on a budget. Appliances in white, grey and beige shades are less expensive and will also stay in style throughout changing trends.
Smart Shopping
When shopping around for appliances, pay close attention to the yellow Energy Efficient report stickers that offer specifics on the appliance’s efficiency. Appliances account for 14% of energy usage and are #3 on hydro bills, so this could be critical in your appliance purchasing decisions.
Warranties
During the lifecycle of your appliance, there still stands a possibility of premature failure or other kinds of issues. Purchasing a warranty plan that covers damages you don’t care about is a waste. Instead, opt for a flexible warranty plan that covers what you actually need. Another rule of thumb: consider the length of the warranty to ensure it covers a timeframe you are happy with.
Whether it be monthly or annual, the cost of an appliance is always on your mind. Keep in mind the deductible fee. If it is close to the cost of the actual appliance, a warranty plan could be the wrong choice.
iFix Appliances understands the importance of saving you money and catering to your appliance issues. For a quick, caring and reliable service when your new appliances stop working, call us. We are servicing countless areas such as Scarborough, North York, Etobicoke, and Toronto . For any of your appliance repair needs contact us here.
