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Appliance Overload

By
Real Estate Agent with Pam Winterbauer Real Estate

When shopping for new appliances, remember that looks aren't everything. Features, capacity and energy-efficiency are important factors as well. 

Before buying a new appliance, keep track of your appliance usage for one week. For example, note the number and size of your laundry loads, what items you reach for most often in your refrigerator or what meals you cook on the stove. This will help you determine what features will be most beneficial. Also include a list of problem areas, which will help you choose a new appliance that offers better solutions.

For a variety of appliances, available space can be a major stumbling block. Before you make your choice, be sure to measure the footprint, height and width of the appliance area, as well as the door swing or space needed to open doors, drawers and lids. Also measure any doorways or hallways to make sure the new appliance can pass through when it's time to install. 

Energy-efficient models of some appliances can offer significant savings. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, appliances account for about 20 percent of a household's energy consumption.  Appliances that feature the Energy Star label have been tested to meet standards for energy efficiency. 

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Angelia Garcia
Pure Realtors - Dallas, TX

Great tips of course.

I however look at price first then the others.

Feb 09, 2009 10:31 AM
Edward D. Nikles
Ed Nikles Custom Builder , Inc. / Nikles Realty , Inc. - Milford, PA

Thanks for the tips . Energy Efficiency should be tops ! Don't even think about a Refrigerator , Freezer , Dishwasher , Clothes Washer , Dehumidifier , Water Cooler unless it is Energy Star Rated ! Also don't reuse the old appliances ! A new Energy Star refrigerator is approx. 40% more efficient than one from 2002 ! New washers use much less water ! Keepin' it Green !

Feb 09, 2009 02:27 PM
Paul Duffau
Safe@Home Inspections, LLC in SE Washington - Asotin, WA
Caring for People, Educating about Homes

Pam,

Good tips but make sure to use your calculator on evaluating appliances.  We just bought a new washer.  It is Energy Star but lands at the lowest end of the spectrum - and the lowest cost.

I ran the numbers.  My payback to an upper end model was better than 20 years.  I went with the cheap one.  I'll get ten years out of it and run the numbers again the next time.

Feb 10, 2009 02:13 PM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

We just bought a bunch of Energy Star appliances, but my husband insisted on checking Consumer Reports first. He's a smart guy. We rarely drop the bucks on anything if it hasn't been reviewed by CR.

Sacramento short sale agent elizabeth weintraub

Feb 27, 2009 03:35 AM