Selecting Home Appliances

Purchasing home appliances can be mind boggling. With all the different manufacturers, models, and features offered, it's hard to know where to start. And since appliances account for 20% of your home's gas or electric bill, you have to consider energy efficiency as well. Before purchasing water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers, clothes washers and dryers, or cooking appliances, read these tips from FCIC.

• First of all, decide if you really need a new appliance. You can expect a water heater to last 10 to 15 years, a refrigerator 20 years, a dishwasher 10 years, and a clothes washer 14 years. Repair may be a better option than replacement.
• Before you visit a store, you can do a lot of research on the web. For example, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers provides tips and consumer bulletins from the experts.
• You can also visit the websites of various manufacturers to view their products. See the Consumer Action Handbook? alphabetical listing of corporations for contact information and links to most appliance makers.
• For information about reliability, check out Consumer Reports and other buying guides at your local library.
• Check and double check the space available for the appliance to make sure you select the right size unit. Halls and doorways also need to be big enough to allow clearance for entry and installation. Don? forget to allow space for appliance doors to open.
• Don't rely on your memory for the details. Bring a pen, paper, and checklist with you when you start to visit stores. Some items that should be on your checklist include:
  • manufacturers, model numbers, and features
  • the delivery and installation fees, and the fee to haul away your old appliance.
• Decide if extra features, like ice dispensers on the outside of a refrigerator, are worth the increase in price.
• Buy appliances that suit your needs. For example, a smaller refrigerator might be better for you if you live alone. Don? give in to pressure to get the ?reat deal?the salesperson is pitching. He or she may be trying to get rid of overstock, instead of matching an appliance to your needs.
• In addition to a conventional oven and stove top, you may want to consider purchasing a microwave or toaster oven. Using the microwave or toaster oven for small portions saves energy.
• Government consumer protection offices receive a lot of complaints about appliance retailers and manufacturers. So when you buy, know the merchant? return and refund policies. Know what is covered under warranty and for how long.
• If you have a problem with an appliance you purchase, send a letter to the merchant. If you do not get satisfaction, you may have to escalate your complaint to the manufacturer, the Better Business Bureau, or your state consumer protection office.