These days, all the talk in home appliances is about energy efficiency. It’s an important subject. New appliance lines allow you to lessen your carbon footprint and lower your electric bills.
But the Energy Star label shouldn’t be the only thing you look for. You probably don’t give much thought to how heavily you rely on your appliances until one of breaks down. A broken belt on the dryer? A couple days without the dishwasher? It feels like being cast back into the dark ages.
Just because the new models are more efficient, they’re not all created equally. Matthew Hillebrand of Don’s Appliances in Canonsburg, PA, shares how to be a smart shopper when it comes to selecting your next energy efficient appliance.
Trends in Home Appliances
High efficiency washers and driers, Energy Star refrigerators, and energy efficient, quiet dishwashers are the most popular products on the market today.
- A new washing machine uses up to 75% less water than a traditional top-loading machine. Homeowners can save up to $150 a year in energy costs.
- Energy Star refrigerators meet the Federal energy guidelines for efficiency, and they save homeowners up to $150 a year.
- Dishwashers today use as little as little as 4 gallons per load, and as little as $19.00 a year in electricity.
These are just some of the benefits of new technology and engineering. But in spite of the new innovations, some manufacturers come up short in the quality, customer service, and reliability departments. This is something Hillenbrand and his team don’t take lightly. “Most manufacturers today do not care about post sale service. This goes against everything we believe in as a company. We feel that a customer should get better service after the sale than when they first buy the product.”
“There are some manufacturers that still provide the best for their customers. Sub Zero and Miele are by far the best in the industry, according to Hillenbrand. “When a problem arises, they support our service department better than any of our other brands. This is a main reason why we support them so much. They give us the confidence that our customers are buying the best products, and will receive the best service.”
Miele Dishwasher Case Study
Hillenbrand shares a story about a customer who came in looking for a high efficiency dishwasher. He asked her what she was looking for, and what was most important to her. Together, they decided a Miele dishwasher was the best fit. Shortly after, the customer called and thanked Matthew for recommending her the Miele dishwasher with a water softener. Her home was in an area that was experiencing even more hard water issues than normal, and she was the only person in her neighborhood that wasn’t having a cleaning issue. She has since called again to say how pleased she is with her purchase.
Some homeowners avoid their local appliance store, and instead shop at a big box store. Hillenbrand says it’s common for buyers to assume that a specialty shop is too high end, has less selection, or that their prices are not as competitive as a chain store’s.
In fact, the selection is typically better at an appliance store, he said, because they offer solutions for all price points. When you add in a commitment to service after the sale, compared to a national chain, it’s actually much more cost-effective in the long run to buy locally, Hillenbrand said.
More Green Tips On Purchasing Appliances
Hillenbrand offers these final tips on how to select your next appliance:
- Consider european brands. Typically they are the most advanced and most efficient.
- Appliances are more technologically complex today; a factory-trained technician is a must for service.
- Family owned businesses specialize in a high level of customer service on all major brands like Sub Zero, Miele and Dacor.
Don’s Appliances is a featured exhibitor at the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show. For more tips, read about these green building products.
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