Domestic Appliances Buyers Guide
Home appliances are something people don't often think about -- until they need to replace something or want to upgrade to a new model. These appliances, such as fridges, freezers, cookers, dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers simply make everyday life easier and they represent a major purchase for most people.
Types of Major Home Appliances- Fridges and freezers -- some people opt to buy a combination fridge freezer whilst others prefer to have an individual model for each. Nowadays, people with enough space in their kitchen often like to buy American style fridges and freezers for larger capacities. Size is almost always a consideration when buying these kinds of appliances -- most are chosen based on the available space and the number of people in the house. Other things to look out for include adjustable shelves, vegetable compartments, wine racks, door storage for large bottles, drink dispensers, flip up shelving, adjustable humidity levels and temperature controlled sections. There are also various colours and finishes to consider from basic white, to stainless steel to bright primary colours.
- Cookers -- cookers and ovens are either powered by gas or electricity with some dual-fuel models offering both types of power. The choices available here include basic slot-in cookers through to larger ranges and integrated ovens and hobs. Again, the room available in a kitchen may dictate the kind of cooker that is chosen -- some larger cookers come with more than one oven and some have grills (either integral or overhead). Electric ovens and cookers offer a range of options including ceramic and halogen hobs and induction technology. Many ovens come with built-in hoods to help with ventilation. Cookers also come in all kinds of designs and colours nowadays -- some people prefer a modern stainless steel finish whilst others prefer white or coloured appliances.
- Dishwashers -- dishwashers come in a range of sizes from small table top models through to standard sized appliances. Again, the choice here is usually made on available space, design and colour and the number of people in the house. Larger dishwashers can cope with up to 12+ settings. One issue worth considering with a dishwasher is noise -- a rating of 42dB gives the same kind of noise as a kettle on the boil although anything around the 50dB mark is considered OK. Check out the drying efficiency of the dishwasher as this will affect how quickly the machine dries the dishes. Common programmes to look out for include pre-wash, quick wash and glass wash.
- Washing machines and tumble dryers -- some people opt for just a washing machine, some for a combination washer/dryer and some for separate appliances. Again, many decisions are based on space, design and colour but also keep an eye out for spin speed (from 1000rpm up), load capacity and programme types. When choosing a tumble dryer check how the machine gets rid of moisture -- some use a tube which has to be placed to vent the moisture outside of the house and others have built-in condensers. If buying a washer/dryer then look for models that can do both jobs separately.
General Appliance Selection Criteria
Many people are more environmentally aware now than in the past and one way to make a contribution (and to save on energy costs) is to look for major appliances that are energy efficient. This is measured by ratings from A to G. A fridge or washing machine, for example, that has an A rating will be the most energy efficient and one with a G rating will be the least energy efficient.
Space is an issue when buying a home appliance so the most important selection criteria should be that the appliance will fit in the space available for it. Design and colour may also be an issue -- many people like to make sure that all their appliances look the same whilst this is not an important consideration for others.
People buying these kinds of appliances should also look at the actual functions that they get before coming to a decision. A washing machine with 20 programmes may look good but it will be a waste of money if not all the programmes will be used.
Another consideration worth taking into account is the delivery charge that may be incurred and whether the retailer will remove the old appliance at the same time which makes things easier all round.
Appliance Warranties
Any new major appliance will come with a warranty. This warranty acts like a guarantee to provide cover if the appliance breaks down, needs replacement parts or has a problem. Warranties don't last forever -- in general terms most appliances will come with a 12 month warranty although this may vary. During the time that the warranty is in force the manufacturer or retailer will undertake to resolve any problems.
It is often possible to also buy an extended warranty for an appliance. This may be provided by the manufacturer or by the retailer. Weigh up the costs of taking out this kind of warranty. It's worthwhile asking about the kind of conditions covered by the warranty before buying a home appliance as they are not all the same.
Home Appliance Insurance
Many retailers now sell home appliance insurance policies when they sell a major appliance. These policies give extra protection if an appliance breaks down and needs repair. Having this kind of policy will cover the some or all or the costs of issues such as breakdown, repair, parts, labour, call out charges, accidental damage and replacement.
Future Home Appliance Developments
It is anticipated that home appliances will continue to benefit from intelligent technology in the future. It is predicted that such appliances will be able to learn the habits of their users, for example, and adapt the way that they work accordingly. One development that may of particular use in this sector is intelligent monitoring where a manufacturer can communicate with an appliance in the event of an impending problem so they will able to tell the appliance owner about it and fix it before it actually happens.
Conclusion
Buying a home appliance is both a major and infrequent purchase for most of us. As such, it is important to ensure that due consideration is given to all of the major factors including available space, functions in the context of your own usage, energy efficiency, running costs and overall design. It is also worth looking into the manufacturer's warranty and any extended warranty or insurance options to ensure that they provide adequate cover for a reasonable premium. Finally, given the size and weight of appliances, always check the cost of delivery as this may be significant.
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