APPLIANCE BUYING GUIDE & WORKSHEET
☼ Where will it go?
The width of the open area ________
The height of the open area________
The depth of the open area________
☼ Does the appliance need to be electric or gas?
If electric, do you have the correct receptacle?
Refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, counter top microwaves, dishwashers, and similar
appliances use a standard electrical outlet.
Electric ranges, electric ovens, electric dryers, and some speed cook microwave ovens require
a 220 outlet.
If gas, do you have a shut off valve? Is the connection up to code? Is there a standard electrical outlet
also in the area? (Even gas appliances need to be plugged in to an electrical outlet).
☼ Is the area close to your electrical outlet and/ or gas connection?
Standard cords and flex lines are only 3 - 5 feet long.
☼ What color will match your décor?
Will the color you choose coordinate with future changes/ purchases?
☼ What capacity are you looking for?
For appliances, the capacity is mostly measured in cubic feet.
REFRIGERATORS
For the best performance, your refrigerator/ freezer should not be too full or too empty. If the
refrigerator has more capacity than you need, and you have a lot of empty space, your items will
tend to get too cold, and your refrigerator will use more energy trying to maintain an even
temperature. On the other hand, if your refrigerator is too full, air movement can be limited
resulting in uneven cooling, which can lead to other problems.
How big is a cubic foot? Technically 12”x 12”x 12”. As a common measurement for
refrigerators, the cubic footage includes the total cooling space of the appliance, (both the
refrigerator and freezer sections together). The most popular refrigerator sizes are 18 – 22
cubic feet, but we sell refrigerators as small as 1 cubic foot, and as high as 30 cubic feet.
Things to consider when choosing capacity include the dimensions of the space you will be
installing the refrigerator, the size of your household, and your lifestyle. Someone that does a
lot of entertaining may need a bigger refrigerator than someone that only stores basic items.
Items like milk containers, wine bottles, pizza boxes and cake boxes tend to need large,
adjustable, or specially sized shelves, so it is a good idea to consider the types of items that you
store.
Ice makers and dispensers require a water line. Note: when measuring your depth, allow 1-2
inches for the water lines.
Do you need doors that open to the right or left? Some refrigerators do not have reversible door
swings. The standard door swing is hinged right, meaning the door handle is on the left side.
WASHERS
Whether you choose a front load, energy efficient top load, or standard top load, it is a good
idea to keep capacity in mind. If you do laundry for multiple people, you will want a large
capacity washer to cut down on the number of loads. If the capacity is too small, you may end
up doing more loads, using more energy, and spending more of your time. If you plan on using
your washer for large items such as comforters, you will also need a large capacity. Capacity
for washers will generally range from 2 cubic feet, (very small), to over 5 cubic feet.
RANGES
Since most free standing ranges have similar dimensions on the outside, the capacity of the
oven is often overlooked. Some ovens are not large enough to fit a 20 lb. turkey. It is an
important feature to check.
☼ Buying a window A/C
Room air conditioners are measured in British thermal units, (BTU). An air conditioner with a high BTU rating
will have more cooling power. When selecting which size you need, you will have to consider several factors
including the size of the room, the amount of sunlight in the room, and the location of the room. If you are
purchasing your first air conditioner, you may also want to take into consideration which window you will put it
in. Air conditioners that fit slider style windows are generally higher priced than models that fit double hung
windows. Also keep in mind that air conditioners can be somewhat noisy. For more detailed information, and
a guide to selecting the right amount of BTUs, please refer to the buying guide on the Energy Star website:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=roomac.pr_properly_sized
☼ Buying a dishwasher
Built-in dishwashers have a standard width of 24”. As an alternative, some manufactures make compact
models that are 18” wide, and portable models that are free standing. Some factors to consider when selecting
a dishwasher are noise level, rack adjustability, and special features, such as a fine china setting, or a heated
dry cycle.
☼ Energy Savers
It is important to consider energy usage when selecting a new appliance. To help make selecting an energy
efficient appliance easier, the government has specific guidelines that the manufacturers must follow. Look for
the Energy Star label on the following appliances to ensure you are getting a product that saves money and
helps protect the environment:
REFRIGERATORS, FREEZERS, CLOTHES WASHERS, DEHUMIDIFIERS, AIR CONDITIONERS &
DISHWASHERS
When it comes to choosing an energy saving appliance, there are a lot of resources available on the Energy
Star website: www.energystar.gov Check it out today! Then fill in the top of the worksheet, bring it to the
store with you and you will get a free major component warranty on all of your qualifying purchases.
APPLIANCE
SIZE OF OPENING
H
W
D
H
W
D
H
W
D
CAPACITY
GAS OR ELECTRIC
COLOR
PRICE RANGE
FAVORITE BRAND
SPECIAL FEATURE 1
SPECIAL FEATURE 2
SPECIAL FEATURE 3
ACCESSORY NEEDED
THE INFORMATION BELOW CAN BE FILLED OUT IN THE STORE WITH THE HELP OF A SALES ASSOCIATE
MODEL NUMBER 1
BRAND
PRICE
REBATES AVAILABLE
EXTENDED WARRANTY
ONLINE BONUS
FREE MAJOR COMPONENT
WARRANTY, $79.95 VALUE
FREE MAJOR COMPONENT
WARRANTY, $79.95 VALUE
FREE MAJOR COMPONENT
WARRANTY, $79.95 VALUE
FREE MAJOR COMPONENT
WARRANTY, $79.95 VALUE
FREE MAJOR COMPONENT
WARRANTY, $79.95 VALUE
FREE MAJOR COMPONENT
WARRANTY, $79.95 VALUE
COMMENT
MODEL NUMBER 2
BRAND
PRICE
REBATES AVAILABLE
EXTENDED WARRANTY
ONLINE BONUS
COMMENT
SALE ASSOCIATE
*DATE
*SALES QUOTES ARE VALID FOR 30 DAYS