TOP LOAD VS. FRONT LOAD WASHER

So your washer has just run its last cycle in its long and prosperous life and now you are, for potentially the first time, shopping for a brand new one. You walk in to an appliance store and you see an overwhelming selection of washers to choose from. There are top load with the agitator, there are top load without the agitator in the middle, and finally there are front load washers. What is the major difference between the three? Well I’m here to answer exactly that.

Lets begin with top load washers with

agitators. This is your traditional washer set up and generally at lower price points. The first thing to mention is that very few top load washers are built in the old school manner where they will last 15 to 20 years. Most modern washers on the market going to last 8 to 10 years, regardless of set up. The reason they don’t last as long is because the savings on energy efficiency over the 8 to 10 years of its life is enough money to warrant purchasing a new set. The down side of this washer design is water efficiency while the benefit is you don’t have to bend down to put clothes in. A great example of a top load washer is the LG 5.7 Cu.Ft. Mega Capacity Top Load Turbowash Technology Washer.

The top load without the agitator in the middle is a curious study. The lack of the agitator in the middle to pull clothes through the water to clean them means that the manufacturers had to get creative with the way the tub rotates. The benefit of these is that your clothes can’t get tangled around the agitator or get frayed, plus the capacities tend to go higher on them as well. The downside on them is water efficiency.

Now we get to the front load washers. The number one complaint I’ve heard customers have is that they tend to develop a smell over time. The manufacturers have fixed that issue by using anti-microbial material on the interior of the washer. The other thing to keep in mind is that front loads require ventilation, so keeping the door cracked is necessary. Now front loads are the best at cleaning clothes and here is why, the tub will spin out much faster than the top loads plus the tub itself is stainless steel on the interior. Now while they are generally more pricey, the amount of water savings you will have on front load vs. top load will pay itself off in two to three years. Check out the LG 5.2 cu.ft. Mega Capacity with On-Door Control Panel & TurboWash.

So in general, front load washers will clean the best and are the more efficient. The downside is having to bend down to load and unload, but they do have pedestal or stacking options. 

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.

Really, What Is the Best Time of The Year To Buy Appliances?

You’ve been seeing the commercials; the ads in the magazines, your fridge just decided to give up, or you moved into a new home and the appliances are avocado green from the seventies. There are so many reasons why you may have started your appliance shopping journey, and one of the most important questions you’re asking yourself is “How?” and/or “Am I getting the best deal possible?”.  Chances are you’ve seen an ad from Home Depot, Lowes, and even us, Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom and every week there seems to be some special deal or sale going on; and you’re stuck questioning when to buy. Or even worse you’re forced to buy right now, and waiting is not an option. If you take a few moments to review these tips you’ll be more prepared no matter the time you buy.

Expert Tip: If you don’t take anything from this article outside of this one tip you’re going to be in great shape. No matter where you purchase, make sure the retailer has a price match guarantee. But wait; not all price match guarantees are created equal. Make sure your retailer doesn’t just price match the day of the purchase but for at least 30 days after the purchase.

Recap: If the retailer will not price match 30 days after the purchase, even against their prices: DO NOT BUY!

Now that we’ve discussed one extremely important item to appliance shopping in general, let’s talk about the best times of the year to buy appliances. Okay, let’s play a little game; take a few moments and think what the world and maybe even you thinks is the best time of the year to buy appliances? …Let me guess you said “Black Friday”? While Black Friday generally has some great deals, fun door busters, and lines around the corner; the best appliance deals are rarely during Black Friday; or even in the 4^th Quarter.

Okay, you’ve waited long enough; the best deals and the best time to buy appliances is over the 4^th of July holiday. However, don’t just focus on that one day; chances are most retailers will start their 4^th of July pricing weeks before. Yes, that means you don’t have to rush to shop for appliances on one of the most fun family days of the year. Let’s make these numbers real so you can understand the discounts a little better.

At Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom we are known for the value we offer in our prices; our customers love to tell us how much money they’ve saved just by walking through our doors. We like when our customers save money, it makes us happy; and we know it’ll make you happy.

•   Everyday customers on average save 15% when shopping with us over the competition.
•   During the 4^th of July our customers have reported saving over 27% – 33% over the competition! WOW! (In comparison to Black Friday where our customers reported savings from 21% - 28% )

Now that that’s cleared up we can’t wait to see you in one of our 16 stores so we can learn more about your project and partner together to find the right appliances for your needs and wants. 

What is great about this year, is that Appliance Factory & Mattress Kingdom is extending some of their 4th of July sales for a few more months. What are you needing to buy?

What is Next in Home Appliances: Samsung Side-by-Side RSG309AARS/XAA LCD Refrigerator

For those of us who value having cutting-edge tech right at our fingertips, the kitchen is no exception. Thanks to the innovators at Samsung, the future is now.

Meet the Side-by-Side RSG309AARS/XAA LCD Refrigerator, Samsung’s newest triumph in marrying design and technology. The sleek stainless-steel façade and integrated touchscreen user interface on the exterior are outmatched only by the stunning interior, which combines functionality with elegance using LED lights, removable wine and soda racks, and five adjustable glass shelves.

Samsung understands that a refrigerator goes beyond its primary function of chilling perishable foods and beverages. The refrigerator serves as the hub of the entire kitchen, if not the household as a whole. Here is where we stick important announcements, shopping lists, calendar events or schedules for our busy family to see and follow. Let sticky notes, white boards and refrigerator magnets become a thing of the past, while still maintaining your busy schedule. This exciting new advancement in appliance design integrates the ease and user-friendliness of a smartphone or tablet right into the refrigerator. Apps like a calendar and a notepad help keep the family up-to-date on upcoming events, allowing the familiarity of having important notes posted on the fridge while eliminating the resulting clutter. Additional apps serve to further enhance the sense of having a futuristic kitchen:  Pandora lets you stream music from built-in speakers above the water dispenser, while Epicurious recipes aim to inspire the cooks in the kitchen and keep dinner ideas fresh.

With manufacturer’s suggested price of $2,499, the Samsung side-by-side RSG309AARS/XAA LCD Refrigerator accommodates your high-tech lifestyle and provides you with the futuristic elegance you desire without too much damage to your wallet. Your friends at Appliance Factory can help- call us today for more information about this or any of our other top-of-the-line appliances for your kitchen of the future!