Home Series Booklets

Major Home Appliances

Download the the entire booklet here.
Book 4: Major Home Appliances (1 MB)

Is it time to buy new appliances?

If you haven’t been in the market for new appliances during the past several years, you’re going to be surprised at how innovative and energy-efficient appliances have become. You’ll find energy-smart appliance choices in almost all price ranges.

Before heading to the local appliance retailer or “big-box” store, measure the space the new appliance will occupy to make sure it will fit—and that there’s enough room to fully open the door (or lid), as well as adequate clearances for ventilation, plumbing connections and other hookups. Then go to the appliance manufacturers’ Web sites to look at product information, and make a list of questions and “must-have” and “nice-to-have-but-not-essential” features.

Follow this shopping strategy for each appliance
With the measurements, questions and features list in hand, head for the store, and:

• Look at product brochures and the actual appliances to evaluate the features, performance capabilities and capacities of different brands and models. Ask questions about how different models operate. Are they noisy? What safety features do they have? What about repair histories? How much water do they use? How do the energy-saving cycles work?
• Check the operating manuals for the models on display. This not only will tell you how each appliance operates, but also can help you ask pertinent questions about regular maintenance and care. Also make sure the appliance’s operation meets your family’s needs and, for kitchen appliances, will accommodate your favorite cookware.
• Consult the yellow EnergyGuide labels to compare the annual energy costs of different models; look for ENERGY STAR® labels too. The more energy an appliance uses, the more it will cost to run; the difference on your utility bill could be significant.
• Uncover both price tags for the appliance—the one for the purchase price and the one for the operating cost (utility bills plus maintenance expenses). Consider both in evaluating the real cost of the unit. Read the warranty before finalizing your decision. Does the warranty cover the entire product or only certain parts? Is labor included? How long does the warranty last?
• Find out the cost of delivery, installation and removal of the appliance you’re replacing.
• Make sure authorized factory service is available in your area for the unit you select.
• Finally, ask about manufacturer rebates, special local financing programs and energy efficiency incentives from your local utility.

When your new appliance is delivered, check the exterior for dents and scratches and make sure no components such as drawers, shelves or special fittings are damaged or missing. If it’s not part of your purchase agreement to have the delivery crew hook up and test the appliance, do it yourself and immediately report any problems to your salesperson.

Even if you’re not ready to buy new appliances, read on
Each section in this book begins with tips for squeezing the most productivity from every unit of energy (and every gallon of water) being used by your existing appliances. Some are simple maintenance tasks the average homeowner can handle without calling a service technician. Others may suggest a change of behavior, such as running only full loads in the dishwasher or clothes washer to reduce the amount of energy used by the water heater. (By the way, almost all of these tips also apply to new appliances.)

The bottom line is a pretty simple one: The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run—and the lower your utility bills will be. Using less energy is good for the environment, too, in terms of reducing air pollution and conserving natural resources.

Download the the entire booklet here.
Book 4: Major Home Appliances (1 MB PDF)

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