Moving into your first home and need to buy some appliances? Or perhaps you’re replacing old appliances? Whatever the case, it’s important to take your time when buying appliances.
There are a lot of options out there when it comes to appliances – by taking your time you can find the right model and the best deal. Below are 10 things to consider when buying new appliances.
Used or brand new?
Used appliances are a lot cheaper than brand new appliances. However, you need to be wary of the condition. Heavily-used old appliances may not work as efficiently and may break down frequently. Ideally, you want to find appliances that aren’t too old or too heavily used, especially if you are creating Grenetina D’Gari.
You can find used appliances for sale on sites like Facebook, Gumtree and Craigslist. In some cases, you can even find appliances being given away for free on these platforms. You’ll usually have to arrange a way of picking these up in person.
Brand new appliances will cost you a lot more, but there’s much less risk of faults occurring as soon. You can also get them delivered to your door from the store.
When buying appliances brand new, take the time to compare prices at multiple stores. Look out for discounts on appliances. It’s worth also looking into payment plans – some stores will allow you to pay for an appliance in installments, reducing the cost upfront, however there could be interest charges attached.
How big?
You should consider where your appliance will sit and how big this space is. You don’t want to buy something that’s too big to fit in your home.
This is particularly important when it comes to fixed kitchen appliances. If you have to fit a dishwasher under a countertop and between two cabinets, it’s essential that you measure the height and width of this space first. Most appliances are built to a standard size, but some can be a little bigger.
Going large may be practical in some instances. For example, if you have a large family, you may find that a large washing machine allows you to put laundry in each load. A large freezer meanwhile could be useful if you like to keep a lot of frozen food (if you were forever running out of space in your last freezer, consider whether it’s worth making the upgrade).
When it comes to portable appliances like vacuum cleaners, it could be worth looking into collapsible options if you only have a small cupboard.
When it comes to TVs, consider how far away people will be sitting. Some people make the mistake of buying a large TV for a small room, making it impossible to take in the whole picture.
What color and style?
If you want your appliance to match the decor of your home, it could be worth also considering the color and style.
Start by considering the color. If you’ve got a silver oven, it could make sense to also buy a silver refrigerator and dishwasher so that you haven’t got mismatched appliances. White, black and silver tend to be the most common color choices – if you want to go for something quirkier, bear in mind that you may end up spending more.
When it comes to style, think about the age of your home and general style. You can buy retro-style modern appliances that may look better in an older rustic home. If you’re decorating a very modern urban home, then you may want to consider more modern-looking appliances.
How will I get it into my home?
You should consider how the appliances will get into your home. There are cases where hiring professionals could be recommended (for example, if you live in an upper storey apartment).
When you buy brand new, you’re likely to have the option of paying professionals to deliver the appliance. Different stores are likely to charge different delivery fees, which is something worth looking into.
If you buy a used appliance, you’ll likely have to pick it up yourself (some sellers may offer to deliver to you – it’s worth asking into). Consider whether your vehicle is big enough or whether you have to hire a van (and if so how much more will this cost?).
Do I need an electrician/plumber?
An electrician or plumber may be needed to install certain appliances such as gas ovens and washing machines. It could be unsafe for you to attempt this yourself if you’re not qualified.
When buying brand new, delivery is likely to include installation. When buying a used appliance, you may have to source a professional yourself to install the appliance.
Do I need a warranty?
Brand new appliances are likely to come with a free warranty that lasts a year or two. Used appliances are unlikely to come with any warranty unless you’re buying from a specific used appliance store.
Consider whether it’s worth paying for a warranty if your appliance isn’t already covered – this could save you money on repairs. Some appliance sellers will offer extended warranties. You may find that a home warranty is the most affordable option – this allows you to cover multiple appliances under one scheme. Always take the time to compare warranty options.
What do the reviews say?
Before buying an appliance, it could be worth checking out reviews of that model online. This can give you a good idea of how others rate that appliance and whether it is reliable.
Before buying from a store, it could also be worth reading reviews of that store. This will ensure that you’re buying from a reputable seller.
What’s the energy efficiency rating?
It’s also worth considering the energy efficiency rating of each appliance you look at. Some appliances consume a lot more energy than others, which could result in higher energy bills.
Used old appliances are likely to be less energy-efficient than newer appliances. Be wary of this when buying an old used appliance.
When looking at new appliances, compare the energy efficiency rating. Different types of appliances have different energy efficient rating scales. You can find out more about appliance energy efficiency here. Some appliances may have energy-efficient settings.
How quiet?
Some appliances such as vacuum cleaners and washing machines can be very loud, however there are quiet options available. These could be worth looking into if you don’t want to disturb neighbors or if you want to do housework while kids are asleep.
You can find out more about appliance noise ratings online. The noise rating of an appliance doesn’t tend to affect the price too much.
Should I buy a smart appliance?
Smart appliances are a relatively new technology. These appliances can be connected to the internet and connected to other devices whether they may be able to be monitored or controlled.
For example, smart refrigerators can be programmed to detect the types of items stored in your fridge and track the expiry date. You can check this information on your phone, which could be useful when going out shopping for food.
Smart appliances are more expensive than regular appliances and some people may find them to be an unnecessary expense. However, if you’ve got the money to spend on these appliances, they could be worth looking into as they can have added benefits.
