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This post is bought to you by my workwear, UK based specialist for corporate clothing and embroidered polo shirts.
Appliances are one of the most expensive items to purchase for your home. While shopping for my new range a while back, I learned a few tips for saving money on major appliances. I share my suggestions below.
- Do your research. I always turn to Consumer Reports and Good Housekeeping and then go from there. I also like to compare prices online. Make sure to include the shipping fee and haul away fee if it applies to your purchase.
- Go for energy star appliances. These appliances will save you money in the long run by not wasting energy.
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This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
It was an hour till dinner time when I tried turning on the stove. POOF! The oven turned off, then on and it wouldn’t shut off.
“Has it been on all day? It’s warm. What are we supposed to do?” I asked my handy father.
Is it safe to buy appliances from an outlet? Credit: Editor B/Flickr
Jeannie is not sure she can trust an appliance outlet store. What do you think?
Dear Julia, Love your site. Question for you or the readers: we need a new dishwasher and Consumer Reports recommends 2 Whirlpool models in our price range. I did “Bargain Babe” due diligence in looking around for a great price and came across the Whirlpool Outlet store, which claims it has brand new products. But how do I know I can trust them?
Their site looks legit, but they’re based in the Midwest and we’re on the East Coast, so it makes me wonder if I’d be better off paying a little more and buying from a brick-and-mortar store, which feels so 1990s to me! Any advice you could offer would be great! Thanks, Jeannie
Jeannie, I would check a few things off my list before making a major purchase from an online retailer you are new to.
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This question was brought to you by Online Boilers – the UK’s favourite boilers website. Specialists in combi boilers and gas boilers. Online Boilers often give their customers a discount on their appliances but you need to ring them and it takes a bit of haggling!
Reader gpjandra needs advice on where she can find discounted appliances.
What sites are available to search for bargains or discounts on appliances like stove/oven, refrigerator, washer and dryer, microwave, dishwasher, etc…? Thank you for your help as we are furnishing our first home. Need help in finding affordable, yet new appliances.
If you are tied to buying new appliances, you are more limited than if you’re open to buying used. I’d look out for sales at the hardware stores, and approach local hardware stores about price matching. You never know when someone might be able to make you a deal. You can often get 10% off for opening a new credit line, or may be able to approach a manager about a discount for paying in cash or buying in bulk (if you purchase multiple appliances from one store). Also look for steep discounts on floor models, which may have scratches or other minor blemishes.
Got advice for gpjandra? Got a question about saving money? Email me.
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The federal government is padding appliance rebates for energy efficient dishwashers, refrigerators, and room A/C’s as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Each state has their own program, rules, and rebate forms. In general you have to do three things to get a federal appliance rebate, which comes in addition to any state, retailer, or manufacturer rebates that may be available.
1. Buy an eligible appliance in a store during the eligible period. Online purchases are not valid.
2. Recycle your old appliance with a certified recycler.
3. Fill out and mail in the rebate form.
Start by finding your state’s appliance rebate program. In California, the appliance rebate program begins today with discounts from $50-$200 per appliance. It runs until May 23, 2010 but the rebate funds may run out before then so turn in your rebate form sooner rather than later.
Some interesting factoids about energy from the California rebate page:
- New Energy Star refrigerators cost as little as $48 to run a year. In the 1970s, the average refrigerator sucked up $259 in electricity every year.
- New fridges are a lot quieter and don’t create as much heat.
- Energy efficient washers spin clothes 2-3 times faster than older models, which means your dryer does not have to work as hard to dry the clothes!
- If your washer is more than 10 years old, you can save about $135 a year in energy costs.
- In the 1970s it cost about $195 to run your washer for a year. Today’s most energy efficient washers need only $47 in electricity.
If you have an older fridge, washer, or room A/C, check which rebates are available in your state and see how much you could save in electricity costs. You may well break even in just a year or two.
If a new appliance costs you $500, but you get $250 back in rebates and save $50 in energy per year, you will get your $250 investment back in five years.
(appliance cost – rebates) / yearly energy savings = years it will take you to break even
Thanks, Sarah!
