Home appliances can be an expensive purchase – and they can cost even more in the long run through energy consumption and repairs. To help you save money on your home appliances, here are just five money-saving tips to consider.
Look out for sales
There’s always a sale on somewhere. These can sometimes be the best places to pick up brand new home appliances. Certain periods of the year are common for sales such as the Black Friday weekend and the January sales. September to October is also a common time for sales on home appliances – this is when manufacturers bring out their latest models, and as a result previous models often end up being discounted.
Pick up used appliances online for cheap
Used appliances are a lot cheaper than new appliances. In fact, you can often find refrigerators and washing machines online being given away for free on sites like Gumtree (the condition is that you have to pick them up from the seller yourself, which may require hiring a van). Used appliances may be a little less reliable and a little less energy efficient, so you could spend more in the long run. However, if you’re on a tight budget and urgently need an oven or refrigerator, they’re usually the best option.
Consider energy efficiency
Before buying an appliance, it’s always worth checking the energy rating. All appliances are rated from A to F (A being the most economical and F being the least). A-rated appliances can be as much as 90% energy-efficient, whilst F-rated appliances can be as low as 65% energy-efficient (meaning that 35% of the energy you use is wasted). All in all, you’re best opting for higher grade appliances to save money on your energy bills.
Know when to repair and when to replace
When an appliance breaks, many people’s first reaction is to buy a replacement. However, often it can be more economical to look into appliance repair. Only replace appliances if there are recurring faults or if the appliance has long exceeded its recommended life (this varies from each appliance – dishwashers tend to have an average life of 9 years, while modern freezers can last as long as 20 years).
Skip the extended warranty
Many appliance retailers will offer a free warranty that usually lasts a year. After this, you’ll usually be offered an extended warranty for a small monthly payment. While this warranty can help to cover repairs, you’ll usually spend more in the long run paying the warranty than you would paying for repairs out of your own pocket. Unless the appliance has already broken in the first year (which is rare) and you think it may break again, it’s probably wiser to reject the extended warranty. You may even find that the warranty only covers you for certain types of repairs.
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