Abandon Nest

Part of living on your own is having to make big purchases every once in a while. As such, there will come a day where you have to buy a major home appliance for your house or apartment. Now, don’t panic. Appliances are generally designed and manufactured well. It’s likely that you’ll pick a durable unit no matter what. However, there are 3 things that you absolutely should pay attention to if you want to get the most bang for your buck.

• Brand - As a long term measure of quality, you can’t go wrong with looking at an appliances brand. Companies that have been making appliances well for years and years definitely have an advantage over those that are new to market. Think of it this way. If someone walked up to you and said that Ferrari and Hyundai are both making new cars completely from scratch, then asked you to pick one, what would you say? I’m betting you’d take the Ferrari. Picking an appliance is very much the same. LG is like the Scion, cheap and flashy, whereas GE units are like Mercedes, overengineered and more expensive than average.
• Energy - In the United States, the most energy efficient appliances receive an Energy Star rating. This shows consumers that they are among the best in energy efficiency in that particular area. Why would the consumer care about something like this? Well, as oil becomes scarce and energy prices continue to rise, buying a more efficient refrigerator can save you money. Also, it’s better for the enviornment to buy Energy Star appliances, so choose wisely.
• Durability - You are going to have your refrigerator, range, or washer/dryer a long time. You want to make sure that purchase lasts and is in good condition after being used and abused over and over and over. When you’re checking out a unit, pay special attention to the thickness of the metal used, the way plastic flexes, and how doors and hinges seal. You’d be surprised how many manufacturers are willing to sacrifice durability for a cheap price point. My recommendation: Spend the extra $60 and get a unit that is well put-together and solid.

Now, some of you may wonder what qualifies me to talk about this. I, in fact, have not made an appliance purchase in my life. However, I do currently work in the appliance industry and see my own company’s units side by side with competitor’s units. As such, I’m qualified. My last piece of advice: Ask your friends, neighbors, and acquaintances if they work for an appliance company. If they do, you may be able to get a great discount on a unit. Happy shopping.