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Purchasing Appliances

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Another potentially daunting task for homeowners is the purchase of appliances. When you go shopping you are undoubtedly asking yourself if the appliances are energy efficient, what warranties do they come with, and so on. Not to mention you are faced with a seemingly endless line of different makes, models, designs, colors, and functions.

You are right to ask yourself these and many more questions. Always measure the space the appliance will be going so that you are armed with this knowledge in the store. Measure the width, length, height, and depth of the space the appliance will be located in. It is vitally important to consider the path your new appliance will take, meaning from the sidewalk to the front door, inside the house, down/up the stairs, and around the corners. Imagine the frustration of bringing home that beautiful appliance and you can’t get it past the hallway!

Next thing to ponder is the installation. Do you know how to hook up the gas line to your new stove? Or the water lines to your new washing machine? If you do, then great! If not, ask the store where you are making your purchase, about their delivery and setup policies. It will be worth an extra few dollars if it means you can use your appliance right away and without any headaches.

If you are on a budget — like most of us are — take into consideration you and your family’s needs. This will help you determine what special features you need (like a “delay start” on a dishwasher so that it will start when you are out of the house, for example) and help you determine what size you will need. If you have a small family, there is no sense in buying a large refrigerator and spending the extra money on the energy it takes to keep a fairly empty refrigerator cool.

Keep in mind whether you need an electric or gas appliance. This is key for most major appliances as the wrong kind will be completely useless to you. If you are not sure which one you are using and need, check the owner’s manual or ask a professional.

On a modest budget, used appliances are a great resource. Just make sure that the place you are buying from offers a fair warranty, keeping in mind that the appliance probably won’t break down in the first week. Sometimes problems take months to surface. So, again, get the best warranty possible.

While buying new appliances is a big task, don’t let it get intimidating. Keep it fun! Buying new appliances can give you the chance to experience new functions and even try out new colors.

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