Why Buy a Top-load HE Washing Machine

Let’s start with the question what does HE mean? HE stands for high-efficiency in washers. In order for a washing machine to be considered high-efficient, it must follow meet certain criteria and guidelines in regards to how much water, electricity, and detergent it uses. Look for the HE symbol on the machine indicating that it uses less energy, water, and detergent.

HE washers can be found on front-load and top-load washers. Both HE washer styles are efficient with the clothes cleaning performance. Here is a look at why you should consider a top-load HE washing machine rather than a traditional top-load or front-load washing machines.

Better Cleaning, Less Water

Most HE top-loaders are better at cleaning, gentler on fabrics, quieter, and use less water than traditional agitator washing machines.

Lower Cost

Front-loaders, which is a newer technology and more popular, are usually your most expensive option. HE top loading machines give you the benefit of significant water savings as opposed to a standard efficiency top loader, at a fraction of the cost of front load HE units.

Larger Capacity

HE top-loaders do not have agitators which increases the capacity of the unit. You can do less loads of laundry by having more clothes in one load. An agitator top-load washer varies in sizes from 3.2 Cu. Ft. to 4.5 Cu. Ft capacity. A HE top-load washer ranges in sizes from 4.5 Cu. Ft. to about 6.2 Cu. Ft. capacity. Their extended wash cycles allow the machine to provide clean clothing with minimal water use.

No Vibration Problem

Top load HE units spin faster than standard efficiency top loaders leaving your clothes dryer with less time. Their final spin speed is significantly slower than a front-load unit, which decreases the possibility of vibration.

No Mold Issue

Unlike a front-load unit, the door does not have an air tight seal. By leaving the top open, and using an approved washer cleaner once a month, you can virtually eliminate the possibility of mold or mildew better than a front-load washer

ENERGY STAR Qualified

Because HE washers and dryers meet strict energy and water guidelines the machines are considered to be ENERGY STAR Certified. This can save you more money and energy throughout the life of your appliance.

HE washers and dryers are more common now, which makes them a little more affordable compared to when they first came out. They are still more expensive up-front than traditional agitator washers. With the many benefits of HE washers, it will save you energy, water, and time in the long run making it worth the upgrade.

De-Stress with These 4 Easy Yoga Moves

For centuries, people have been practicing yoga as a way to center themselves, find balance, and restore energy. Many people swear by yoga, not just as a fitness practice but as a way of life. Next time you feel stressed out, overwhelmed, or just in need of a break, try one of these simple yoga poses and feel the stress melt away! (Special thanks to thisarticle from the Huffington Post for the awesome photos and explanations of each pose.)

Child’s Pose

A perennial favorite among yoga newcomers, both for its simplicity and nearly instant calming effect. The child’s pose, or Balsana, can calm stress and anxiety by resting the mind and gently stretching your back at the same time.

Corpse Pose

Sure, the name’s a bit morbid, but ironically you’ll feel much more alive after spending a few minutes in the Corpse Pose, or Savasana. Easy to master, simply lie on your back with your legs extended and arms down by your sides in order to trigger your body’s natural relaxation response for the stress relief you need.

Cat Pose

Meow! Arching your back with your head tucked down in the Cat Pose, or Marjaryasana, provides a much-needed spine massage that releases the tension in your neck and back. Not only does Cat Pose feel great, but it also channels your focus towards your breathing, which can give you a sense of calm and relaxation.

Eagle Pose

Feeling up for a challenge? Have really good balance? Give Eagle Pose, or Garudasana, a try! This pose which twists your body into an elegant pretzel as you stand on one foot not only looks super cool and gives you instant yoga street cred, but basically forces you to focus on balance and balance only. A great way to block out all the noise and distraction that was stressing you out in the first place.

What’s your favorite de-stressing yoga pose? Please share in the comments section. Namaste!

What happens when we put a DVD in the microwave?

Ever wonder what really happens when you put things in the microwave that your mom and dad told you not to ever put in there?

Here at Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom, we have done some pretty fun and dangerous experiments to see what really happens when you put different objects in the microwave.

Please don't try this at home.

This episode shows you what it looks like when you put DVDs in the microwave...



Hopefully this video blows up your world with imagination.

What would you want to see put in the microwave? Leave your suggestions in the comments section and we will try it out!

5 Things You Never Realized About Your Kitchen Appliances

 

 1. How far does your refrigerator stick out?

Most people don’t realize that their fridge sticks out 6 to 8 inches from their counter top.  This is standard, but if you notice that you are shuffling sideways to get between your island and fridge when the door is open you may consider a counter depth refrigerator. For more details, check out the full guide of buying a refrigerator. 

    2. New French Door Fridge vs. Old Side by Side Fridge

If you have never owned a French Door Refrigerator this is what you have to look forward to.  No more getting on your knees for fresh vegetables, actually being able to fit a pizza box in your fridge or freezer and not at an angle.  No more losing things in the back of your fridge for months until the stench is overwhelming.

    3. How loud is your dishwasher?

Does your dishwasher sound like a jet engine taking off?  Are you tired of running your dishwasher only at night?  With new technology in sound deafening material dishwasher have become so quiet you don’t even know if it is running.  A good rule of thumb is to look for dishwashers 50dBA or below.  Here is a full guide to buying a dishwasher.  

    4. Where to find the serial number on your appliance.

All appliances will have a sticker specifying the model and serial number of the unit.

Refrigerators - most commonly found in the refrigeration portion of the unit either on the upper left or right wall. 

Dishwasher – most commonly found on the outer edge of the door or interior where the door seals with the case.

Range – If you slide open your storage door it will be located on the interior door jam either on the left or right hand side. 

Microwave – Probably the easiest to find just open the door and it will be located on the inside casing.

    5. The cost of running 15 year old appliances.

   In the last 15 years appliances have improved drastically in energy consumption.  With new government regulations as well as new technology it literally pays to buy new appliances.  Take a 15 year old refrigerator for example.  The annual cost of running a side by side refrigerator from the year 2000 is about $190.00 a year!  A new Energy Star Certified model will cost you on average $81.00 a year.  We are talking about a 42% savings.  Over the course of 10 years you could save upwards of $1,100.00 on your electrical bill.  Your new refrigerator will almost pay for itself over its life span.  That is just for your refrigerator.  Imagine the savings on the rest of your household appliances.

How to purchase the perfect appliance – from start to finish.

Have you ever purchased (what you thought was) the perfect appliance only to find it doesn’t fit or isn’t what you expected? Maybe you’ve walked into an appliance store only to feel overwhelmed purchasing for a new home or as a first time appliance buyer - whatever your situation, we know it can be challenging to get it just right. We’ve all been there, we’ve been asked the questions, we’ve seen the potential challenges you might face throughout your buying experience and we are here to help!

The team at Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom is here to guide you in how to select, purchase, and walk away satisfied with your new appliances. Over the next few weeks we will blog about different appliances and help direct you towards a seamless buying experience. Stay tuned as we teach you what you need to know before, during and in the completion steps of purchasing your appliances!

SELECTING & BUYING YOUR NEW REFRIGERATOR

Step 1: Prepare yourself for entering the appliance store.

You would be surprised how much time a few minutes of preparing can save you in the long run, or how simple the process can be when you provide us with a few details. (Plus we know buying an appliance can be a big decision and a little nerve racking as you go)

*MEASURING THE SPACE:

Before you arrive at the store to choose your new refrigerator, it’s important to know your space requirements. If you’re unsure of your measurements, you will probably be going home to measure or guessing and potentially receiving a refrigerator that’s too high, wide or doesn’t look right for your space. Refrigerators come in a variety of sizes, as do homes, and it’s important you take 3 very important measurements: 1. HEIGHT, 2. DEPTH, & 3. Width 

*KNOW WHERE YOUR WATER SOURCE IS:

Finding your water source makes it easy to figure out which refrigerator will fit your space and if getting one with an ice maker is an option. It’s a common buying mistake to not check to see if there is water access. Before you purchase, do a simple check behind where you plan to place your new refrigerator- is there an on/off valve or a small hose? If you are still unsure, don’t worry we can help- just snap a few photos of what it looks like back there and we can guide you to the accessories and/or any adjustments you may need to insure your new fridge runs just the way you want it to!

*KNOW YOUR CLEARANCE OPTIONS: … (And no that doesn’t mean your best sales prices, though we will guarantee you the best price for 30 days after your refrigerator purchase!)

When you hear the word clearance when it comes to a refrigerator we’re referring to any potential space you would need to clear. Is it going to be next to a wall or in a narrow space? Will you be able to open up doors that swing to the left and the right? Will pull out drawers be able to open successfully without hitting cabinets or other appliances?

…Congratulations, you are prepared to enter the appliance store!  You have eliminated many potential mistakes that can happen when you don’t do some simple homework. And now it’s time for you to enter the store and choose what exactly to buy.

Step 2: Choose the features that make sense.

If you have an idea of what features you may like in your refrigerator that’s great and if not we will give you an overview of things to potentially consider:

• Is LED lighting important?
• Do you need or want spill proof shelving?
• What type of finish are you looking for? (Finishes vary by brand in their availability and are black/white, slate, stainless steel, smudge proof stainless steel, or black stainless).
• Do you want a hot water dispenser? (Yes, they have a refrigerator with a built in Keurig!)
• Do you have a lot of fresh fruits and veggies? (You might want a dual compressor as it keeps items at a temperature that is more consistent than your basic refrigerator).
• Do you need a refrigerator that is counter depth? (You will have a built in look though you will lose storage space).
• Do you want a door-in-door option? (Energy efficient and provides quick access).
• Do you want true crisp drawers? (vacuum-seal drawers that help items last longer).
• Do you need child locks?
• Are you often frustrated by how long it takes to thaw items you want to immediately enjoy? (If so then you might want to consider a refrigerator with a Quick Chill feature).

Step 3: Choosing the best Refrigerator capacity.

Most people have heard that the more capacity you have in a refrigerator the more space but what exactly does that mean for you in your real life grocery buying scenario?

• 1 bag of groceries = 1cu. Ft (appx); larger families need over 20 cu.ft (4-6cu.ft per adult)

Step 4: Choose the Refrigerator Style that fits your needs.

Step 5: Set up Delivery & Enjoy your new Refrigerator!

We hope you have found this blog helpful and remember we are here to help you.

Stop by today and let’s get you your new refrigerator! We have the lowest prices guaranteed and sales associates who are looking forward to assisting you through your appliance buying experience.

Be sure to stay tuned to our blog as we will also explore how to buy a new: Range, Dishwasher, Washer & Dryer, and Mattress.

Stop by one of our 16 locations to help you purchase the best refrigerator for you.