Pick the Right Appliances

When it’s time to purchase new appliances, go beyond colors and styles to consider features, capacity, energy efficiency and cost.

Start with some research: Keep a tally of a week’s usage to help you decide what capacity and features you really need from your new appliance. For washers or dryers, note the number of laundry loads. List particulars such as the number of bath towels or jeans, whether each wash was a full load, and if there was time wasted waiting between wash and dry cycles. Some models offer synchronized timing cycles, lower water usage, and even notification by remote when the load is finished.

For refrigerators, put a pad on the door and have family members log the items they were looking for, where they found them, and whether they were difficult to find. For stoves, keep a list of meals, reheats, microwave uses, and warming duties. Maybe your next stove should have a warming drawer or a greater selection of heat settings. When reviewing your dishwasher, note the number of loads, the capacity, type of dishes, and any problems getting items clean. Some dishwashers feature faster cycles or dual washing drawers for multiple loads.