How to Time Your Next Appliance Purchase For the BIGGEST Impact

When to Shop for Appliances to Get the Best Price 

In the not-so-distant past, choosing new appliances was a straightforward affair. You could stroll into a store or browse online, comparing prices and features at your leisure. The real challenge lay in deciding what you truly wanted. 

Then, along came Covid. It disrupted lives, decimated workforces, and sent shockwaves through global supply chains. Suddenly, the once-simple task of buying an appliance became a high-stakes game of availability. It didn't matter if it was the color, model, or features you desired; the key question was, did the store have it, and did your wallet agree?  

Adding to the complexity, inflation reared its head, driving prices upward. Now, even if you were comfortably well off, you needed to do research to ensure that the appliances you were considering were worth the money and would hold up. It's why we often advocate repairing appliances whenever feasible instead of rushing into new purchases.

 In this ever-evolving landscape of appliance shopping, consumers face new challenges and opportunities that have emerged in recent times. The COVID-19 pandemic brought about disruptions that forced us to rethink how we approach buying appliances. However, despite the challenges, there's a silver lining for the savvy shoppers who are willing to adapt and strategize.

Right now, a hybrid shopping experience is emerging, offering hope to that savvy consumer. The patient and the discerning can unearth hidden deals. There are three levels to this shopping mastery, each requiring a varying degree of research and patience. As we delve deeper into the world of smart consumerism, it's crucial to understand that each level of shopping mastery comes with its own set of advantages and trade-offs. Whether you are a Holiday Shopper, an End-of-the-Year Shopper, or an Off-Season Shopper, your success will largely depend on your ability to research and exercise patience. 

Level One: The Holiday Shopper

Meet the Holiday Shopper, the master of waiting for strategic moments throughout the year. They keep an eagle eye on sales flyers, marking their calendars for keywords like "President’s Day," "Memorial Day," "Fourth of July," "Labor Day," and the ever-enticing "Black Friday." Shopping during these events yields discounts on the latest models, spanning a wide array of appliances. The only downside? You can't predict what will be on sale or if your coveted model will remain in stock. 

Level Two: End-of-the-Year Shopper

For those who desire something new but don't want to gamble, the End of the Year Shopper is the expert choice. By biding their time until the final quarter of the year, they increase their chances of snagging a current-year appliance or one just a year or two old. As manufacturers make room for new arrivals, retail stores gleefully slash prices on older stock. The catch? Hoping that the appliance you want is available and on sale. 

Level Three: Off-Season Shopping

Enter the apex of savvy shopping - the Off-Season Shopper. These aficionados research beyond the obvious seasons, such as buying heaters in July or air conditioners in December. They've discovered that grills can be purchased in December/January, ranges and ovens in May, and refrigerators in September and October can be prime deals. Why? We can't say for sure, but the data confirms these as the best times to score the biggest discounts.

Here are some crucial shopping tips, regardless of your Savvy Shopper level:

Talk with store employees to uncover insider information on upcoming sales and product availability.

Do your homework in advance and act swiftly when holiday deals emerge, as they tend to vanish quickly.

However, it's essential to acknowledge that this type of shopping demands patience, a commodity not everyone can spare. When your oven gives up the ghost just days before a big dinner, time isn't on your side.

Remember, purchasing new appliances isn't your sole option. There are many instances when repairing is in fact, a far better choice, both from a financial standpoint and an availability standpoint. That is where we come in. You can reach out to Appliance Rescue Service, the most trusted appliance repair service in the Dallas Metro Area. We're here to work with you, whether it's extending the life of your current appliance or fixing a malfunctioning one. Contact us at  (214) 599-0055 or come over to our contact page to schedule a technician visit that suits your schedule.

Additional Suggestions: 

6 New Appliances To Consider In 2023

5 Tips for DIY Appliance Repair

Revolutionizing Kitchen Chores: The Water-Saving Benefits of Dishwashers

 How Dishwasher Manufacturers Finally Cracked The Code

Another night another load of dishes to do. Even if it's just for yourself, you have dishes you ate from as well as whatever you used to make your meals that day. Many of us hate doing dishes, but your options are either do dishes or end up growing science experiments in your kitchen.  Which is why we invented dishwashers, to make the job that little bit easier. 

Unfortunately, for a very long time, you actually spent more money and time by having a dishwasher than by not having one. You had to pre-wash your dishes before you could use the dishwasher. And then the dishwasher used even more water than you did during that pre-wash. With today's energy-efficient dishwashers though, that's no longer the case. 

Courtesy of Wendelin Jacober

Many of today's dishwashers have a water-saving feature built in. This means that not only are they using less water and shrinking your electric and water bills, but they're still getting your dishes completely clean. Instead of having to pre-wash your dishes, most dishwasher manufacturers, including whirlpool, advise against doing this. Pre-washing your dishes will actually make the dishwasher less effective because today's modern dishwasher detergents have enzymes in them that are intended to eat that food away. 

So that's how a modern dishwasher works. What the heck does that have to do with it saving water though? How does the dishwasher use less? 

A water-saving dishwasher will only use approximately 4 gallons of water per cycle. It achieves this by running the water through a filtration system during the wash cycle. By rinsing the dishes and then running the water through a filtration system, you maximize the washing power of a single load without wasting water. Not only does the filtration system catch the food debris, but it also filters out the soap from the wash cycle in order to rinse the dishes. 

How does it stack up, then?

Courtesy of LIliana Drew

Proctor and Gamble's Cascade recently did a study paired with Marie Claire showing that consumers use almost 7x the amount of water that a water-efficient dishwasher will. And the reason is the sink faucet. For every minute that you have your faucet running, you are using approximately 2 gallons of water. While this will vary from household to household, this is on average.  The same study also found that the average American takes about 15 seconds to wash a dish.  Compare that baseline to your average modern Energy STAR-certified dishwasher which only uses 4 gallons total for a load of dishes. Even if you run your dishwasher every other night, you're still using half the amount of water that you do when washing by hand in a single night. 

What options do you have for a modern dishwasher? 

Although we have covered Energy Star dishwashers in the past, here are three selections that are new to the market and offer the best in both efficiency and cleanliness.

The Miele G 5266

This washer offers some of the best performance on the market as of the time of writing, The Miele uses only 626 gallons of water per year and runs fat a very efficient pace to get your dishes done. Not only does this help your water bill, but it also helps cut down your electricity bill. 

Some additional features include:

• A sanitizing wash cycle to ensure a deep clean if you're worried about bacteria or if someone in the household is sick 

• Sensor dry - pays attention to when the dishes are dry in order to save time and energy.

• An auto-opening door to allow your dishes to cool off after they're done washing and as a signal to you that the load is done.

The Bosch sgx78b55uc/13

This excellent option from Bosch is slightly less water efficient, going through approximately 744 gallons per year, but it's also a bit easier on the wallet for your initial purchase while still offering some of the best cleaning power.

Some additional features include:

• The Bosch dishwasher is the quietest brand in the US with this model only clocking it at 42 DB while running.

• Up to 24 hours with delay start so you can always run the dishwasher when you're ready.

• Best of all, the Bosch dishwasher is ADA compliant to fit into your home how you need it.

The Beko dut25401x

Our final selection on the list is also the most inexpensive, coming in at under half the Bosch's price and only a third of the mealy. Don't count it out, though as it still packs quite a punch being a highly efficient dishwasher that uses only 731 gallons of water per year.

Some additional features include: 

• A very quiet run cycle is roughly equivalent to a quiet conversation in another room. 

• A child lock to prevent children visiting or yours from changing the settings on your dishwasher.

• A dirt sensor to tell just how much is needed in a given load. 

Modern dishwashers are much easier on you and your wallet. While we will always support repairing your current one, we are also amazed by how far the technology has come! If you did have to buy one of these three dishwashers, which would you buy? Let us know over on our Facebook page! (Don’t worry, in the event one of them gives you trouble, we service all three brands!) 

If you’re here because your current dishwasher is giving you trouble, you can reach out to us via our contact page, or by giving us a call at ((214) 599-0055). We’ll work with your schedule to find a time that works best for you before sending out one of our expert technicians. 

Energy-Efficient Washing Machines

What they are, how they work, and what the best are in 2022

What is the most energy-efficient washer? The one you do by hand! Yep, we're back at it again, looking at energy-efficient appliances. This time we're looking at washing machines. Will tell you about what makes a washer energy efficient, what the difference is between energy-efficient and high efficiency, what the best on the market is right now, and what you can do to make your current one more efficient.

We're happy to say that this article is more straightforward than our last one on ovens.

To start with, what is it that makes a washer energy efficient? According to Energy Star, in order for a brand to have the logo on their washer, it needs to meet two criteria. First off, it has to have a high Integrated Modified Energy Factor, and second, it has to have a low Integrated Water Factor. We know you're looking at us and going what the heck does that mean? An Integrated Modified Energy Factor or IMEF, is a measure of energy efficiency that considers the energy used by the washer during both the cycle and while on standby. An Integrated Water Factor or IWF, is a measure of the water efficiency in gallons of water consumed per cubic foot of capacity for the washer drum. The lower the IWF the more efficient the washer. So in order for a washer to get the energy star logo it has to use 25% less energy and at least 33% less water than what is currently standard on the market.

So then, what are the most efficient washers for 2022, according to Energy Star?

You have the best IWF, and that is the

LG WM9500H*A

Front load washer

Has a volume of 5.8 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 120 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 4588 gallons/yr

IMEF: 3.1

IWF 2.7

Price: $1,799.00

Then we looked at the best IMEF.

Samsung- WF45A64*A*

Front load washer

Has a volume of 4.5 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 93 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 3807 gallons/yr

IMEF: 3.1

IWF 2.9

Price: $949.00

Our third washer is the best in terms of annual energy use.

Frigidaire - FWFX22D4EW

Front load washer

Has a volume of 4.4 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 50 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 4154 gallons/yr

IMEF: 2.76

IWF 3.2

Price: $700.00

Keep in mind that this one does have a lower IMEF and a higher IWF than others on the list so far, but for the amount of energy it uses, it seems like a fair trade-off.

The fourth one we looked at has the best annual water usage.

Asko- W2084.W.W

Front load washer

Has a volume of 2.0 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 75 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 1728 gallons/yr

IMEF: 2.31

IWF 2.9

Price: $1499.00

We will note that if you look at the volume of the washer, that's the reason the annual water usage is so low. So it might be a good option if you're looking to take care of a family of two or if you're on your own. We wouldn't necessarily suggest it for a family of three or more, though.

Our final washer that we looked at is the direct opposite of the last one and has the largest volume.

Maytag- MVWB955F

Top load washer

Has a volume of 6.2 cu.ft

Annual Energy Use: 197 kWh/yr

Annual water use: 6735 gallons/yr

IMEF: 2.38

IWF 3.7

Price: $ 1170.00

Even with the IMEF and IWF being wildly different from any of the others on the list, we still have to point out this is still an energy star washer. We also want to point out that this one is no longer being sold by Maytag directly, but you are likely to find it on secondary sale sites still. 

Now let's take a quick look at what is the difference between a high-efficiency washer and one with the energy star logo.

A machine with the energy star logo is a great place to start. They are at least 33% more efficient than what's on the market. However, a high-efficiency machine goes even further. Due to the way they're designed, they need even less water than those with the energy star logo. That's not a flaw of your standard washers but a design feature of the high-efficiency ones. They use a more concentrated detergent that reduces the suds and penetrates deeper into the fabric. That then requires less water to be used to rinse the clothes. And they also use less energy because they keep your clothes constantly moving during the washing cycle instead of using a central agitator. We wouldn't say that we're for or against high-efficiency machines? We'll repair all of them, and it really is based on what your household needs.

What if you can't replace your washer with one of these Energy Star wars? Is there anything that you can do to make your washer more efficient as it stands right now? The answer to that is a resounding yes.

Tip Number 1

To start with, maintain your machine. Just like cleaning the coils on your refrigerator or the ducts on your dryer, residue buildup on your washer will reduce its efficiency and make it work harder. To do this, you can have a professional come out, or you can do it on your own with recipes from around the web. Make sure to look at whether you have a high-efficiency machine or a standard washer before you do this.

Tip Number 2

Avoid the sanitary cycle. Unless it is truly necessary, say you got exposed to covid, heaven forbid, just don't use it. The amount of energy that goes into the sanitary cycle is unnecessary a large portion of the time.

Tip Number 3

If you're not already doing it, wash full loads. Although there are washers out there that allow you to wash just one item when you need it, it's better to wash a full load. Although we won't say it's the same for all washers, most washers will still use the same amount of energy and water for a partial load that they do for a full load. So you might as well get the most out of spending that money.

Tip Number 4

And for our final tip, wash in cold water. It uses less energy because you're not heating the water. It's kinder on your clothes. And it's just as effective as hot water washing if you're using the right detergent.

And that's that! Let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page, did you have any further questions?

If not, or if you're looking to get your current washer looked at, give us a call at ((214) 599-0055) or reach out on our contact page. We'll work with you to find a time that fits your schedule best. Whether you're in The Colony or McKinney, Appliance Rescue Service is here for you.

Outdoor Kitchens: 7 Reasons You Want One Today

Every year we hear people talking about why they should get an outdoor kitchen, but so few people do. They talk and talk, but they never seem to decide to take the plunge, even though they're so useful!  We've put together 7 reasons you absolutely should put 'get an outdoor kitchen' on your to-do list for the summer. 

It will cut down your utility bills  

 This is a big one for many of us. If you've been with us for a while, you've seen that we like to help you save money when we can. An outdoor kitchen is a great way to do it, that not many people consider. 

Think about it,  if you're spending more time outside, your AC doesn't have to be cranked to max to keep your house cool. 

To really make the most of this you can install an awning, fan, or lots of green plants in your outdoor kitchen. All of these will help bring the temperature down on a hot Texas day.  If you can manage all three, say with an awning, a mobile fan, and then screens of green plants, you'll have created a small oasis for yourself. We all know that summers in Texas are unbearable, so why have everyone crammed into one or two rooms when you want to be together if you can spread out instead? 

They're great for entertaining

An outdoor kitchen is the perfect spot for entertaining. People can move around, talk with the cook, get drinks, and wander all without having to move from room to room. Where the food is, people gather and we love to socialize when we do. An outdoor kitchen doesn't have to be just a grill though, you can make it an entire oasis by bringing out lighting, furniture, patio heaters and more. What you can create in your outdoor kitchen is only limited by your imagination. 

An outdoor kitchen increases your home's value.

An outdoor kitchen is an investment in your home, and by comparison to most other outdoor projects, sees the most return on that investment.  

Additionally, most outdoor kitchen appliances and grills are stainless steel. They are easy to clean and built to withstand tough outdoor conditions, and the trend to be timeless (at least so far.) All of these add up to a long term investment that isn't going to go out of style or appear 'dated' if you decide to sell your home. 

Credit for the images goes to Country Living and Max Kim Bee

 Cooking becomes so much easier

- Most outdoor kitchens include everything you have inside, with an ice maker,  refrigerator,  side burners, and most importantly, the counter space. This means that you don't have to prep inside and move it outside, forgetting things you need and having to make multiple trips. Instead, everything you need is right there and you can get on with what you want to make. 

-When you cook inside, certain smells tend to linger. They'll seep into the walls and you'll be dealing with them for days, even if your vent hood is going full blast while you're cooking. Fish and deep-frying are two well-known culprits. With an outdoor kitchen, that's not the case. The air isn't restricted the same way it is inside, so the smells won't linger for any longer than it takes to clean the area. 

-No matter how hot things get, neither smoke nor heat will linger. This means that you're not overheating while cooking, or trying to air out the kitchen while also worrying about the food cooking properly. 

It gives you more room to spread out

Why build on an entirely new room with walls and a roof if you have a patio? As we said above with one or two tweaks you can make it into a small oasis, a kitchen, and a space to entertain guests on all sorts of occasions. Once you bring in the furniture you can expand the uses for it even further. With an awning or a solid roof added, you can even use it during rainy days. 

 Foods you cook are Healthier and Tastier

When you're cooking on the grill your foods, be they meat, vegetable or grain, tend to retain more of their flavor. They are also having the fat drip out of them, instead of sitting in it were it to be cooked in a  pan, which means that the end product is healthier too! 

You save money on eating out

When you have a  private dining area where you can enjoy the breeze, delicious healthy food, and the company of friends and family, without having to deal with other people's friends and family, why would you dine out? Every time you use your outdoor kitchen, you're keeping money in your wallet and building memories and bonds built around food. 

So, have we changed your mind? Are you considering turning your neglected patio into an outdoor kitchen? Let us know over at our Facebook page or in the comments. Even if you completely disagree, tell us that too! 

Whether you have an outdoor kitchen or not, we can still help with your appliances. All you need to do is place a call at ((214) 599-0055) or go to our website to set up an appointment and we'd be happy to help.  All of our clients matter to us, from Dallas to McKinney, and want to help keep your homes running.