Appliance Purchase Help

These pages are dedicated to give you some information before you make an appliance purchase. See...Dishwasher Purchase, Dryer Purchase, Food waste Disposal Aid, Range Purchase, Refrigerator Purchase - includes icemakers, Refrigerator noises, Safety and your old fridge, Washer Purchase, Window air conditioner purchase - includes room sizing help and a link about energy consumption.

Safety and your old Refrigerator

Remember this when getting rid of your old refrigerator and keep our kids safe!!

Refrigerator Purchase

Always measure the opening where the fridge is going to be placed. Do take these measurements in with you when you shop. Do not measure the old fridge as this does not help the salesperson show you a fridge that will sit in your spot properly and "breath". The fridge needs air space to "breath" properly....some fridge's have the hot condenser coils on the back of the fridge. This is called a static condenser, this style needs at least one inch of space above the fridge to allow the heat to come out. Some fridge's have an air over system, this means the hot condenser coils are under the fridge and a fan is placed under the fridge to remove the heat from the coils. The air over fridge can be built in as tight as you want, but does collect dust faster and needs the hot coils cleaned at least every 6 months.

Measure your doorways, halls and stairways to see if the railings or doors must come off to get the new refrigerator into your home. Often, the fridge doors can come off, to help assist in a tight entrance problem.

Most, but not all top mount ( freezer on top ) fridge's can be reversed from right hand to left hand and visa-versa.....this is a nice feature when you move and need the door swing to go the other direction.

Fridge noises and running times....

Modern fridge's will make "different" noises than your older one. They are not really noisier than older ones, but they do make a different sound. More often than not...people tell me that after a while, the fridge sounds blend into the every day house noises and they no longer hear the fridge running. Older fridge's ran approx. 50% of the time = 50% on....and 50% off. Modern fridge's run longer than older fridge's. This saves on start up hydro for the compressor = hydro savings. Modern fridge's run approx. 70% of the time and this may go up to 90% on the hot, hazy, humid summer days.

Related link: Buying a refrigerator Link 1

Related link: Buying a refrigerator Link 2

Here are the biggest mistakes you can make when buying a refrigerator. Think about what you want in a fridge before you buy. Fridges are big and heavy so make sure it'll fit where you want it first. Decide how much storage space you need. The right fridge color can make or break your kitchen decor.

Ice Makers....

Some fridge's have a ice maker and water feature. You can install your own water line or have the stores installers do this for you. If you choose to try this yourself, this -how to install a ice maker water line- should be able to help. There is also many different types of in-line filters available today that can be added to the fridge water line to help remove odors and bad tasting water due to chemicals in the water.

Dishwasher Purchase....

Considerations Before You Buy a Dishwasher - Link is here.

How to buy a dishwasher - Link is here.

Most retail stores can help out with the installation of the new dishwasher purchase. If your home has no spot for a dishwasher or you have never owned one, this can be a expensive project to remove cupboards, run hydro line, hot water and drain systems. To remove an old dishwasher and install a new dishwasher usually runs 150-200 dollars for a common install. If you would like to try this yourself, see -how to install a d/w- for some great help.

Related link: Buying a dishwasher Link 1

Related link: Buying a dishwasher Link 2

Between sound rating, cycles, options, capacity and speed, here's what you need to know to make an informed choice when picking a dishwasher.

Food Waste Disposal....

Many of the units today are made by one company but you will still find them advertised by many different names. You usually have several different units to choose from. Continuous feed units have a wall switch that you use to turn on the disposal on and you can continuously feed the food waste into the disposal. There also is a batch feed unit ( my favorite ) this style of a unit must have the cap in place to operate the unit. The batch feed in my opinion is a safer unit to have if you have children, as the cap must be in place to operate the unit preventing accidents. The continuous feed is open and comes on as soon as the wall switch is turned on. If you need help installing a new food waste disposal, this disposal install help should give you lots of information.

Dryer Purchase helps and tips....

How to buy a washer and dryer - Link is here.

How to buy the best dryer - Link is here.

This is a common way the doors can be reversed.

Electric Dryers....

Can my new dryer be side vented?

One of the biggest changes in dryers today has been the cord plug attached to the new dryers. Do pull out your old dryer to see if the old dryer has a plug or is the power wire going directly into the dryer back. A power box and receptacle may be required when replacing your old dryer. Modern electric dryers can use up to 1/3 less energy than even ones built 10-15 years ago.

Gas Dryers....

Can my new dryer be side vented?

Gas dryers need a 120 volt outlet to operate the motor and timer. This outlet is like any other regular 3 prong outlet in your home. Gas dryers come with no extra pieces to hook up to a gas line, and metal venting must be used with a gas dryer. A natural gas dryer can be converted to a propane gas dryer, but a kit is required at an additional cost above the dryer purchase.

Gas Dryer Piping....

There are many regulation codes that must be followed when you purchase a gas dryer, the dealer should be able to help with installation questions and codes. Just because the house has gas in it or the pipe runs over where you want the gas dryer does not mean that it is easy to install a gas dryer or does it mean you can use the pipe that is right around the gas dryer. Most often an existing pipe is supplying a certain product with gas and you cannot just "tap" into that pipe...almost 100% of the time, it is incapable of supplying both products with gas. A new line must be installed from the main, all the way to the new dryer. This is a added cost to the purchase....common prices to do this is 150-200 dollars, depending on the install. Finished basements, split-level homes, stair ways, can all be a added cost to the install.

Some dryer sizes:

These sizes will vary so they get different price options and different installation restriction options.

GE - 3.6cuft, 4.1cuft, 4.3cuft, 6.2cuft, 7.0cuft, 7.2cuft, 7.4cuft and 7.8cuft.

Frigidaire - 6.7cuft.

Electrolux - 4.0cuft, 8.0cuft.

Samsung - 4.0cuft, 7.2cuft, 7.4cuft, 7.5cuft, 9.5cuft.

LG - 4.2cuft, 4.5cuft, 7.3cuft, 7.4cuft, 9cuft.

Maytag - 7.0cuft, 7.3cuft, 7.4cuft, 8.8cuft, 9.2cuft.

Whirlpool - 3.4cuft, 4.3cuft, 5.9cuft, 7cuft, 7.4cuft, 8.8cuft

Some dryer side vent kits:

GE dryer side vent kit - WE25X10015.

GE dryer side vent kit - WE25X10027.

Frigidaire dryer side vent kit - 131456800.

LG dryer side vent kit - 3911EZ9131X.

LG dryer side vent kit - 383EEL9001L.

Maytag dryer side vent kit - WP528P3.

Maytag dryer side vent kit - 12001928.

Whirlpool/Maytag dryer side vent kit - W10323246.

Whirlpool/Maytag dryer side vent kit - W10704365.

Whirlpool/Maytag dryer side vent kit - W10470674.

Whirlpool/Maytag dryer side vent kit - 279823.

Whirlpool/Maytag dryer side vent kit - 49611.

Some dryer gas conversion kits:

General Electric Dryer Gas Conv Kit Parts - Link is here.

Frigidaire Dryer Gas Conv Kit Parts - Link is here.

LG Dryer Gas Conv Kit Parts - Link is here.

Maytag Dryer Gas Conv Kit Parts - Link is here.

Whirlpool Dryer Gas Conv Kit Parts - Link is here.

Washer Purchase helps and tips....

How to buy a washer and dryer - Link is here.

How to buy a washing machine - Link is here.

Some washer sizes....

GE washers - 2.4cuft, 2.8cuft, 3.3cuft, 4.2cuft, 4.4cuft, 4.5cuft, 4.6cuft, 4.8cuft, 4.9cuft, 5.0cuft, 5.2cuft, 5.3cuft, 5.5cuft, 5.8cuft, 6.0cuft.

Frigidaire washers - 4.1cuft.

Electrolux washers - 4.5cuft, 4.6cuft, 4.7cuft, 5.0cuft, 5.1cuft.

Samsung washers - 2.2cuft, 2.4cuft, 2.6cuft, 4.5cuft, 4.8cuft, 5.0cuft, 5.2cuft, 5.4cuft, 5.5cuft, 5.8cuft, 6.0cuft, 6.9cuft.

LG washers - 2.3cuft, 2.6cuft, 4.5cuft, 4.8cuft, 5.0cuft, 5.2cuft, 5.5cuft, 5.8cuft, 6.0cuft, 6.2cuft, 6.3cuft, 7.1cuft.

Maytag washers - 3.5cuft, 3.8cuft, 4.0cuft, 4.2cuft, 4.3cuft, 4.4cuft, 4.5cuft, 4.7cuft, 4.8cuft, 4.9cuft, 5.0cuft, 5.2cuft, 5.3cuft, 5.4cuft, 5.5cuft, 5.8cuft, 6.0cuft.

Whirlpool washers - 1.6cuft, 1.9cuft, 2.3cuft, 2.6cuft, 2.8cuft, 3.5cuft, 3.8cuft, 3.9cuft, 4.2cuft, 4.3cuft, 4.4cuft, 4.5cuft, 4.7cuft, 4.8cuft, 5.0cuft, 5.2cuft, 5.3cuft, 5.4cuft, 5.5cuft, 5.8cuft, 6.1cuft,

Some washer kits:

GE Drain hose extension kit - WH49X301.

Maytag Drain hose extension kit - DRNEXT4.

Maytag Drain hose extension kit - 285863.

Maytag Drain hose extension kit - 40922.

Whirlpool Drain hose extension kit - DRNEXT4.

Whirlpool Drain hose extension kit - 285863.

Whirlpool Drain hose extension kit - 40922.

Whirlpool Drain hose extension kit - 285702.

Related link: Buying a washing machine link 1

Related link: Buying a washing machine link 2

There is no escaping dirty laundry, but a reliable washing machine that gently cleans clothes for years to come eases your load. Here’s how to find the best washing machine for your budget and needs.

Window air conditioner Purchase....

Always, always, always measure your window and make note of which way it opens...up and down...or side to side. Is there any hydro close to the window that you would like to install a air conditioner?? Over sizing a air conditioner will not make the room colder !! Walls, hall ways and door ways will slow down the cold air from circulating around into other rooms.

What size air conditioner to buy?

Area in square feet	Btu/hour
100 to 150	5,000
150 to 250	6,000
250 to 350	7,000
350 to 400	9,000
400 to 450	10,000
450 to 550	12,000
550 to 700	14,000
700 to 1,000	18,000

A complete buyer's guide to shopping for the right portable, wall-mounted, and window air-conditioner units to fit your needs.

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