Shopping for a new appliance can be a daunting task, especially when you are a first time home buyer. There are many different brands in a range of prices. To choose the appliance that best fits your needs and budget, there are few things to consider.
Before you embark on the journey of appliance shopping, consider what your needs are, the space you have to work with, the colours you would like and, most importantly, your budget. Do you need all the bells and whistles an appliance has to offer? Or do you just require the basics. Do you cook often or not very often? Do you have a large family or a small one? These are questions you need to ask yourself and answer honestly.
Care of the Toronto Start, here are some things to consider when shopping:
Safety. Look for the CSA certification mark on electronics and appliances, which show that these products have been tested and certified to meet applicable Canadian standards for performance and safety. You should consider what your personal safety needs are, such as automatic shut-offs, a cool touch feature, or a lockout or override switch. Dual signaling appliances that alert you visually as well as audibly are recommended. People who are deaf or hard of hearing will be able to see the visual signal and people who are blind or visually impaired will hear the signal. This is a universal design approach that works for everyone.
Ease of use. If the vacuum is too heavy to lift or move about in your home it will stay in the closet. A dishwasher with too many programming options will be run at only one speed. Consider the location of controls on a stove or oven. Front or side-mounted controls are easier to see and operate than rear counted controls. Don’t forget, if the program controls are too complicated, you are likely not to use it as often.
Manoeuvrability. When it comes to kitchens and laundry rooms, manoeuvring space around appliances is a must. Space may be required for a walker or a wheelchair. It is always important to consider how work is going to be done. Planning for clear floor space around all appliances in the kitchen is an important design consideration.
Suitability. Before buying an appliance, test out different models with various features to make sure your choice of appliance meets everyone’s needs. Open the doors, and pull our drawers and loading trays to see how easy loading and cleaning would be. Turn the knobs for comfort level. Consider the colour. Consider how easy it would be to keep that colour and finish clean. Do you need special cleaning products for the appliance or not?
Affordability. Cost is always an important factor, but sometimes the convenience offered by a household appliance will outweigh the higher cost. Energy savings might also outweigh a higher purchase price. Look at the energy consumption of different models or types of appliances by comparing the EnerGuide and energy saving labels.
The more you know, the better prepared you will be to shop and eventually purchase the right appliance for your family.
For more useful articles on purchasing wisely and saving money, please visit our blog at www.occa.ca/blog.
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