Going shopping? Our handy Buyer's Guide will help you hit the stores equipped with everything you need to look for in an appliance and make sure what you take home is right for you.
When buying a clothes dryer
Think about what size you really need. A dryer with a capacity of 5kg – 7kg will be large enough for a family with a couple of children.
Consider whether it matches the capacity of your washing machine. The closer they match the more efficient your drying will be and the less hassle for you.
Ask whether it has a moisture sensor that detects if clothes are dry or not? Some dryers have a sensor to stop drying when clothes are damp dry for ironing, a perfect way to save on your power bills.
Ask, is the door reversible? This is useful if your dryer will be in a tight location.
Consider if it can be wall mounted to save space.
Is there a light in the dryer? You never know when there’ll be a sock hiding in the dark.
Know whether you want digital or knob controls?.
Make sure the lint filter is easily accessible for cleaning after each load. This will not only help your dryer perform at its best, it will also reduce the risk of fire in your home.
Consider the energy efficiency rating. The more stars the less energy you will use and the more money you will save.
When buying a cook top
Know whether you want gas or electric.
Know whether you want it built in to the bench top, or freestanding with an oven beneath.
If you’ve chosen an electric cook top ask, do you want a ceramic or an induction cook top?
How many elements or burners will you need? Too many will take up valuable bench space. Too few could cramp your cooking style.
If you’ve chosen a gas cook top, have you considered special features like a wok ring burner?
Make sure it is easy to clean? Are the ring burners come removable? Are they dishwasher safe?
When buying a dishwasher
Ask what capacity will you need? Capacity is measured in place settings. Too many will see you waiting to wash or washing empty space. Too few will have you putting on extra loads.
Make sure it will fit your dinner plates. There’s nothing worse than buying a new dishwasher then still having to wash half the dishes by hand. It’s worth taking a dinner plate with you to make sure.
Make sure it has adjustable shelves and baskets to accommodate large pots and pans.
Ask, does it have adequate noise insulation built in?
Ponder what sort of programs and settings you will need. Pots, economy, more?
Do the racks roll out smoothly? Reaching in can be bad on the back.
Ask, does the machine have both detergent and rinse aid dispensers? No-one likes eating soap suds.
Make sure the cutlery basket is large enough. Is it removable and easy to reach for unloading?
Check the spraying mechanisms are adequate and correctly positioned, or you’ll be washing everything twice.
Make sure the filter is easily reached for cleaning.
Consider the water and energy efficiency ratings. The more stars the less energy and water the device will use and the more money you will save.
When buying a fridge
Ask, what size refrigerator do you need? A full fridge uses a lot less energy than an empty one so choosing the size that matches your shopping habits could save you a lot of money in the long run.
Know whether you want a refrigerator with a top freezer, bottom freezer or side-by-side arrangement. Upside down fridges are convenient, but they also use more power than conventional top-freezers.
Do you want a fridge with manual defrost or a frost-free unit?
Does the fridge have reversible doors, in case you need to move it to a new location.
What about cabinet rollers to move it around easily. If not, you might be asking a few favours of your friends.
Measure your front door and make sure it fits through. You’d be surprised how many fridges get delivered, only to go back to the store.
Make sure is has adjustable shelving for storing tall items. And can they be removed for easy cleaning? Make sure the crisper drawers are also big enough for your needs.
How about the surface? It it easy to clean?
Consider the energy efficiency rating. The more stars the less energy you will use and the more money you will save.
When buying a heater
The first question to consider is whether you want to heat you, one room, a selection of rooms or the entire house. Making the right choice could help you save big in energy bills.
When shopping take information about your house with you, including the material your house is built from (e.g. brick, timber etc), the size of the room (s) or house (measured in cubic metres - length x width x height), the direction rooms face, the size and position of windows, how often the room gets used, the type of insulation in the room (i.e. carpet, curtains etc) and the size, shape and position of doorways.
Consider the energy efficiency rating. The more stars the less energy you will use and the more money you will save.
When buying a washing machine
Will you choose a front-loading machine or a top loading machine? As a rule, front loaders are more water efficient.
What capacity (kg) do you need? The right size will see you doing less loads and more efficiently. Too much spare space and either your machine will be half full or your sock drawer will be consistently empty.
Ask, do you need a machine with special programs such as wool wash or gentle?
In case the floor is uneven, are the legs adjustable? If not, you might find your machine walking its way across the room.
Ask, is there a dampener system to cushion the drum from the outer casing to help reduce noise?
Consider the water and energy efficiency ratings. The more stars the less energy and water the device will use and the more money you will save.
When buying an air conditioner
Think about how much space you really need to cool then buy accordingly. If it’s just one room, a wall mounted or portable air conditioner could be just the trick. If it’s the whole house then ducted might be the system for you.
Take along the sort of information you need to make an energy-smart choice, such as a floor plan, the material your house is built from (e.g. brick, timber etc), the direction rooms face, the size of the room(s), the size and position of windows and the size, shape and position of doorways.
Think about whether you want cooling only or cooling and heating together?
Consider the energy efficiency rating. The more stars the less energy the device will use and the more money you will save.
When buying an oven
Ask, do you want a free standing or built in oven?
Know what size you’ll need. A standard size oven is 60cm, but large ones can be up to 90 on the other hand, there’s no point heating empty space if you’re not going use it.
Consider whether you want special features like a rotisserie, warming compartment for plates and bread or double oven range.
Make sure the racks are easily removable to adjust the height of shelves and to clean them.
