Appliance Buying Guide: Dishwashers

Article From HouseLogic.com


By: Douglas Trattner


Published: September 01, 2009


When you buy a dishwasher, hone in on the model that's right for you by considering your needs: size, fit, features, and performance.

"Almost every dishwasher on the market will wash dishes better, do so more quietly, and use a fraction of the water and energy than the one being replaced," says Don Cochran of Babin Building Solutions in Bedford Heights, Ohio. Because 80% of a dishwasher's energy consumption goes to heating the water, any reduction in the amount of water used saves money. Replace a pre-1994 dishwasher with an Energy Star model and you'll save $40 per year on your utility bills, says Energy Star.

Cost range: $250-$1,000 and up

Likely additional costs: Delivery, installation, and haul away

Average life span: 10-13 years

Size and fit: Because there are so many dishwashers on the market, pare down choices according to specific criteria. Size and fit is a great place to start. Common dishwasher widths include 18" and 24", so measure your current appliance to see what size to shop for. Also, dishwasher heights can range from 32 to 34.5 inches, so make sure the new one doesn't exceed the height of the cabinet opening. Kitchen floors that have been updated with tile, laminate wood, and even vinyl can affect the fit of the new machine.

Most dishwashers are mounted to the underside of countertops, making those models a poor choice for solid surfaces like granite, quartz, and concrete. In those cases, choose an appliance that gets anchored to side cabinets.

Noise: New dishwashers are considerably less noisy than those made just five years ago, thanks to improved insulation. But for the quietest appliances on the market, expect to pay a premium of $500 and up. A far less expensive alternative is the delay wash setting, which can start the machine after your family has gone to bed. This feature is on all but the most inexpensive models.

Appearance: Will you be matching existing appliances or making a change to something new? It's easy enough to match "appliance white," a standard color, but few stainless steel finishes are identical, says Cochran. To do so may require sticking with a particular brand. You can expect to pay a premium of $150 for a stainless dishwasher.

You'll also pay about $150 more for a stainless tub, the interior liner of the machine. The upgrade is a purely cosmetic one, notes Cochran, as a plastic tub may discolor over time but it will rarely fail.

Completely hidden controls are another popular aesthetic upgrade. The control panels sit on a portion of the door that's invisible when closed. Expect to pay at least $600 for models with this design.

FEATURES AND PERFORMANCE

Energy efficiency: Energy Star-qualified models use 31% less energy and 33% less water than conventional machines. Energy Star-qualified dishwashers today are required to use 5.8 gallons of water per cycle or fewer, down from the 6 to 10 gallons per cycle in 2000. The good news is that most dishwashers on the market now bear the Energy Star stamp of approval, and you need not pay a premium to purchase one.

Racks: Although unnecessary, adjustable racks, tines, and silverware storage can be useful when washing oversize or unusually shaped items. Adjustable racks are on all but the most basic models, but for truly customizable interiors, you'll have to spring for pricier machines.

Cycles: Even the most basic dishwashers come with multiple wash cycles. Shorter cycles can save water and energy when washing average loads, while longer settings can be reserved for more heavily soiled ones. Beyond that, there seems to be no end to available cycle options. Sanitary wash cycles raise the heat, killing more than 99% of bacteria. Glass cycles can speedily clean a rack of dirty glasses. Some models even have a variable-speed motor that increases pressure for pots and pans and decreases it for delicate china. Consider your need; these additional features raise the price and are rarely used.

Sensors: Soil, or "turbidity," sensors are becoming more common on midrange dishwashers. They measure the clarity of the water and then shorten or lengthen all cycles accordingly. Models boasting this technology are available for as little as $350 to $400 (though the folks at Consumer Reports (http://www.consumerreports.org) say you'll need to go higher to get units that also offer better noise reduction and other features.)

Drying: Almost every dishwasher comes with a heated dry option, which speeds along the dish-drying process. If you're energy conscious, look for machines that allow you to disable (or simply not activate) that feature. Doing so can reduce the machine's electricity consumption by 15% to 50%, according to the California Energy Commission (http://www.energy.ca.gov/).

Expected maintenance: In some models, filters need to be cleaned periodically. A hose may leak and door hinges can loosen or fail, all of which require tightening or replacement. A broken door latch will cause the machine to stop working. The part may need to be replaced.
Where and when to shop: Babin Building Solution's Cochran says to only shop at a retail appliance store where the staff understands the product. A conscientious salesperson will guide you to a model that doesn't exceed your needs and thus saves money. Also opt for a store that offers delivery, installation, and haul away-you may be able to negotiate transport and install into the cost of the appliance.

Because appliances don't adhere to a model year like automobiles, there's no "best time" to buy them. Always keep a look out for sales, specials, and tax rebates (especially for energy-efficient models). And use sites like BizRate, PriceGrabber, Shopping.com, and Shopzilla to compare prices.

Finally, some appraisers say new appliances are money well spent. In his market, Mike Neimeier, a residential appraiser in Cleveland, Ohio, says a homeowner is likely to recoup between 75%-90% of the cost of new appliances when reselling the home within a couple of years.

Douglas Trattner has covered household appliances and home improvement for HGTV.com, DIYNetworks, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. During the 10-year stewardship of his 1925 Colonial, he's upgraded almost every household appliance. After lengthy deliberation, he recently replaced an aging top-load washing machine with an energy-efficient front-load unit.

Reprinted from HouseLogic (houselogic.com) with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

When to Repair or Replace Large Appliances

Article From Houselogic.com

By: Douglas Trattner

Published: August 28, 2009

When deciding to repair or replace appliances, consider age, repair cost, pricing, energy efficiency, and whether to modify your kitchen to accommodate a new unit.

When your refrigerator, dishwasher, or washing machine act out, you may feel torn about whether to call a technician or junk the unit in favor of something new. In times of plenty, it's easy to convince yourself that a product requires replacement when all it really needs is a minor repair. But today, your more prudent self may be scrutinizing every financial decision. Conversely, the cost of repair can be a case of throwing away good money that could be better spent on a more energy-efficient model.

Use these six guidelines to home in on the smart choice for you the next time your appliances behave badly.

1. STILL UNDER WARRANTY?

Here's the simple part. Check the owner's manual and your records to see if the unit is still under warranty. If so, schedule a service call with an authorized technician.

Warranties vary widely between manufacturers, appliances, even retailers. Most cover parts and labor for a specified time, followed by a period of just parts. If you purchased an extended warranty from the retailer, examine that document as well.

2. NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY-HOW OLD IS IT?

The closer an appliance is to the end of its average useful life, the wiser it is to replace rather than repair, says Jill A. Notini, vice president of communications for the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers. Average Useful Life is the typical age at which an appliance needs to be replaced because it dies or proves too costly to repair.

Given that most refrigerators last an average of 14 years, it may not be financially prudent to repair a 12-year-old model. Conversely, it might make sense to fix an 8-year-old built-in oven knowing that generally, it should last 16 years.

3. THE 50% RULE

For appliances that are no longer under warranty but still in the prime of their useful life, consider the 50% rule. If the cost of the repair will be more than half the price of a comparable replacement, it's generally wise to replace it, says Celia Kuperszmid Lehrman, deputy home editor at Consumer Reports magazine. The rationale? For the price of the repair and one future repair, you can enjoy a more reliable new machine.

To help make your decision, get a repair estimate. Service calls come with a price whether or not the appliance gets fixed, so factor that into your decision. Angie's List pegs the average cost of an appliance service call at $60 to $100, not counting the repair itself. Many service providers will deduct these charges if they're hired to complete the repairs. If you decide to go ahead with the repair, expect additional service visits to complete the process.

4. CAN YOU FIX IT YOURSELF?

Because labor accounts for more than half the cost of a typical repair, you can save big by tackling jobs yourself. Numerous online resources can help diagnose and fix common appliance ailments. Many of these same sites also maintain databases of owner's manuals while connecting appliance owners with reputable parts suppliers.

The downside? You risk causing additional damage to machines if you're not the handy person you thought you were. Worse, there's the danger of physical harm. And self-help repairs often nullify warranties.

5. FACTOR IN FUTURE ENERGY AND WATER SAVINGS

Present-day appliances are so much more energy and water efficient than previous models that it can be fiscally wise to upgrade rather than repair. A modern refrigerator uses roughly half the electricity of its 20-year-old predecessor, says Notini. New dishwashers get plates every bit as clean as older machines while using a fraction of the water and energy.

But replacing an aging appliance with a new highly efficient one still requires some evaluation. "If you intend to stay in your home for another 10 to 15 years, it may be worthwhile to upgrade to the latest efficient model, Notini says. If you're planning a move soon, it may be smarter to repair it and pass it on to the next homeowner.

6. TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HIDDEN COSTS

There's more to the cost of replacing an appliance than the price of the new machine. If you have built-in cook-tops and refrigerators, you may face costly modifications to countertops and cabinetry when you replace, says Lora C. Donoghue, a kitchen designer in Charlotte, N.C. Even so-called standard-size machines may not fit into the same space as your previous model as standards continue to evolve.

Or the placement of water connections and power outlets may differ. And switching from an electric range to gas can involve a costly visit from the plumber or utility company. Likewise, upgrading from an older gas range to a newer one with electronic features may require the installation of a new wall outlet.

Although these guidelines can help you make an orderly fiscal decision, you may find that your enjoyment of a new unit-perhaps your dream appliance is on sale-simply trumps everything else.

Douglas Trattner has covered household appliances and home improvement for HGTV.com, DIYNetworks, and the Cleveland Plain Dealer. During the 10-year stewardship of his 1925 Colonial, he's upgraded almost every appliance. After a lengthy deliberation, he recently replaced an aging top-load washing machine with an energy-efficient front-load variety.

Visit Houselogic.com for more articles like this. Reprinted from HouseLogic.com with permission of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS (R).

Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

"Cash for Appliances" Expected to Boost NC Economy

North Carolina shoppers only have four days to take advantage of a "Cash for Appliances" program offering 15% off new Energy Star appliances. Some local retailers are staying open longer and offering extra discounts to cash in on the anticipated rush.

North Carolina chose Earth Day to kick off the NC Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program. The program offers North Carolina residents a 15% instant savings when they purchase new Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators & freezers to replace old appliances. That means that an appliance that normally costs $500 will only cost $425. Shoppers will have to hurry to take advantage of the savings though. The program only runs from Thursday, April 22 through Sunday, April 25, 2010.

The so-called "Cash for Appliances" program is similar to its predecessor, "Cash for Clunkers." The $8.8 million North Carolina program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Each state decided how to distribute their allotted funds. This program is designed to stimulate the economy with sales of new appliances and create energy savings by getting Americans to trade older appliances for newer, more energy efficient models.

"Appliances consume a huge amount of our electricity, so there's enormous potential to both save energy and save families money every month," said Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu in a press release. "These rebates will help families make the transition to more efficient appliances, making purchases that will directly stimulate the economy and create jobs."

North Carolina's program is similar to a program Florida launched last week. Florida planned for its program to last 10 days, but after the second day, the $17.5 million it allotted for the program had been exhausted. Florida's program offered 20% off the purchase of new energy efficient appliances. That means that Floridians spent $87.5 million on appliances in just two days. That means North Carolina shoppers may want to get out and take advantage of the offer sooner, rather than later.

Local appliance retailers are anticipating many more shoppers than usual, thanks to the program. Some are planning extended hours to accommodate the rush and others are even offering additional savings.

"I think a lot of people have been aware of the program and they've been looking ahead," Mindy Hughes of Crossroads Appliance Center in Supply told the Wilmington Star-News. Her store launched an advertising campaign about the rebate last month. "We've got a couple of remodels that have been sparked off by this program, which is great for us. Once they get one new item, they look at remodeling the whole kitchen." Hughes is planning on opening her store an hour early and staying open as late as necessary to serve her customers.

Atlantic Appliance is normally open 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday. Instead, it will stay open until 8 p.m. these days. It will still be closed on Sunday.

Just across from Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Realty's main office, retailer hhgregg in Mayfaire Town Center will be open 6 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday thru Saturday. It's also offering 30% off Energy Star appliances those days. The store is also open Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m., but some anticipate the funds for the "Cash for Appliances" program may be exhausted by then.

Lowe's and Home Depot are offering an additional 10% off Energy Star appliances more than $398. Both retailers are open Thursday thru Saturday 6 a.m.-10 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m, though Home Depot will open at 5 a.m. Thursday.

Thru Saturday, Sears is offering 30% off Energy Star appliances, in addition to the 15% "Cash for Appliances" savings. Its store hours vary by location.

To qualify for the North Carolina "Cash for Appliances" program, Energy Star clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerators & freezers must be replacing an older appliance that will be recycled. Sales tax will be applied to the price of the appliance prior to the 15% instant rebate. Buyers must be North Carolina residents and purchase the new appliances from a participating North Carolina retailer. For more information on NC Energy Efficient Appliance Replacement and Rebate Program, please visit ncappliancerebate.com.

Participating retailers in our area are:

Onslow County

• Best Buy, 1116 Western Blvd., Jacksonville
• Boomtown Furniture, 625 New Bridge Street, Jacksonville
• Freedom Furniture and Electronics, 2153 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Furniture Fair, 507 Bell Fork Road, Jacksonville
• Furniture Fair, 2015 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Home Depot, 479 Western Blvd. Hwy 17, Jacksonville
• Lowe's, 1255 Western Blvd., Jacksonville
• Lowe's, 425 Yopp Road, Jacksonville
• Major Appliance & Furniture Co., 2129 Lejeune Blvd., Jacksonville
• Marine Corps Community Services, Birch and Holcomb Streets, Camp Lejeune
• Sears, 344 Jacksonville Mall, Jacksonville
  

Pender County

• Lowe's, 106 Wilkes Lane, Hampstead
• Sears, 15530 US Highway 17, Hampstead
  

New Hanover County

• Atlantic Appliance & Hardware, 914 S. Kerr Avenue, Wilmington
• Badcock Home Furniture & More, 2642 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Best Buy, 309 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Ferguson Bath & Kitchen Gallery, 1925 Dawson St., Wilmington
• hhgregg, 830 Inspiration Drive, Wilmington
• Home Depot, 5511 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Home Depot, 210 Eastwood Road, Wilmington
• Island Appliance, 5946 Carolina Beach Road, Wilmington
• Kitchen Dreams, 700 Military Cutoff Road, Wilmington
• Lowe's, 5110 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Lowe's, 354 S. College Road, Wilmington
• Sears, 3500 Oleander Drive, Wilmington
  

Brunswick County

• Badcock Home Furniture & More, 4511 N. Main Street, Shallotte
• Crossroads Appliance Center, 50 Green Swamp Road N.W., Supply
• Home Depot 150-1 Shallotte Crossing, Shallotte
• Lowe's, 351 Whiteville Road, Shallotte
• Lowe's, 5084 Southport Supply Road S.E., Southport
• Sears, 5302 Main Street, Shallotte
• Shallotte Electric Stores, 4900 Main Street, Shallotte
  

Duplin County

• Brandsource, 111 E. Southerland Street, Wallace
• Brewer Co. True Value Hardware, 348 N.E. Center Street, Faison
• Harrell's Department Store, 107 S. Wright Street, Burgaw
• Lanier & Smith Ace Hardware, 4646 South NC Highway 50, Chinquapin
• Page Audio-Video-Appliances, 312 N. Front Street, Warsaw
• Rochelle Furniture Co., 111 W. Fremont Street, Burgaw
• Sears, 1315 N. Norwood Street, Wallace