HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCES:
IMPORTANCE OF BUYING HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT:
- Saves people time and money if they can use equipment
properly.
- Important to choose an appliance that has value for
money but also efficient.
- You should consider the impact of equipment on the
environment during manufacture, use, and disposal.
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER:
1. NEEDS: for a family/individual? Size should serve the
amount of people.
2. LIFESTYLE: If entertaining often or working long hours,
very busy, eating out often, never at home, etc, it will
influence which appliance is best.
3. AVAILABILITY OF SPACE: size of where appliance will be
stored. Large appliances must fit through doors, hallways,
etc.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Amount of electricity and
water it will use, and does it have ‘green’ settings. Look at
universal design, energy consumption, water
consumption, and potential environmental impact.
5. BUDGET: buy the best quality option for your budget.
Second-hand options should also be considered.
6. EASE OF USE: Is the control system/ buttons/ instructions
easy to use and understand.
7. FUNCTION OF APPLIANCE: Does it save time/ energy/
effort?
8. SPECIAL FEATURES: If appliance is more expensive it
MUST have special features.
9. COMPATIBILITY: Must be compatible with existing
appliances, wall sockets, etc.
10. SAFETY: Read instructions carefully to make sure it
is safe. Stick to prescriptions of manufacturers for optimal
use and to keep warranty valid. Be aware of children.
11. RELIABILTY OF DEALER: Buy from reputable dealer
who offers after-sales services or can help with appliance
needs servicing, repairing, additional parts, etc.
12. WARRANTY: Should cover all parts of appliances,
should cover an acceptable length of time, must be in
simple language without unreasonable prerequisites.
, 13. CONSUMER RATINGS: Should receive a good rating
in a magazine or online.
14. MAINTENANCE: Should be easy to take apart to
clean without crevices and loose bits that are difficult to
get. Shouldn’t require services or replacement parts too
often.
15. TERMS OF CONRACT: Contract should obtain
reasonable terms for the buyer and dealer. Warranty will
be included.
APPLIANCES ARE POWERED BY:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Solar power
- Paraffin
- Biomass Pellets (environmentally friendly fuel made from
compressed wood, wastepaper products and agricultural
waste burn clearer than firewood and have a low moisture
content.)
*Choose one which will fit with your existing supply and
consider the cost of energy consumption.
APPLIANCES AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION:
- Appliances use 20-30% of all energy in the home.
- Remember that energy supply is limited, and energy costs
are rising when purchasing appliances.
- Energy efficient appliances mean less electricity is used
and therefore are cheaper to run.
- Look for energy saving/ green appliance labels.
- Electricity is scarce.
- Energy efficient labels can help SA reduce energy
consumption and stimulate economic growth.
- Energy efficient labels help you compare efficiency of
various brands.
- Grading of products done by ‘SANAS-SABS’.
- A-G score (poorest performing product).
IMPORTANCE OF BUYING HOUSEHOLD EQUIPMENT:
- Saves people time and money if they can use equipment
properly.
- Important to choose an appliance that has value for
money but also efficient.
- You should consider the impact of equipment on the
environment during manufacture, use, and disposal.
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER:
1. NEEDS: for a family/individual? Size should serve the
amount of people.
2. LIFESTYLE: If entertaining often or working long hours,
very busy, eating out often, never at home, etc, it will
influence which appliance is best.
3. AVAILABILITY OF SPACE: size of where appliance will be
stored. Large appliances must fit through doors, hallways,
etc.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT: Amount of electricity and
water it will use, and does it have ‘green’ settings. Look at
universal design, energy consumption, water
consumption, and potential environmental impact.
5. BUDGET: buy the best quality option for your budget.
Second-hand options should also be considered.
6. EASE OF USE: Is the control system/ buttons/ instructions
easy to use and understand.
7. FUNCTION OF APPLIANCE: Does it save time/ energy/
effort?
8. SPECIAL FEATURES: If appliance is more expensive it
MUST have special features.
9. COMPATIBILITY: Must be compatible with existing
appliances, wall sockets, etc.
10. SAFETY: Read instructions carefully to make sure it
is safe. Stick to prescriptions of manufacturers for optimal
use and to keep warranty valid. Be aware of children.
11. RELIABILTY OF DEALER: Buy from reputable dealer
who offers after-sales services or can help with appliance
needs servicing, repairing, additional parts, etc.
12. WARRANTY: Should cover all parts of appliances,
should cover an acceptable length of time, must be in
simple language without unreasonable prerequisites.
, 13. CONSUMER RATINGS: Should receive a good rating
in a magazine or online.
14. MAINTENANCE: Should be easy to take apart to
clean without crevices and loose bits that are difficult to
get. Shouldn’t require services or replacement parts too
often.
15. TERMS OF CONRACT: Contract should obtain
reasonable terms for the buyer and dealer. Warranty will
be included.
APPLIANCES ARE POWERED BY:
- Electricity
- Gas
- Solar power
- Paraffin
- Biomass Pellets (environmentally friendly fuel made from
compressed wood, wastepaper products and agricultural
waste burn clearer than firewood and have a low moisture
content.)
*Choose one which will fit with your existing supply and
consider the cost of energy consumption.
APPLIANCES AND ENERGY CONSUMPTION:
- Appliances use 20-30% of all energy in the home.
- Remember that energy supply is limited, and energy costs
are rising when purchasing appliances.
- Energy efficient appliances mean less electricity is used
and therefore are cheaper to run.
- Look for energy saving/ green appliance labels.
- Electricity is scarce.
- Energy efficient labels can help SA reduce energy
consumption and stimulate economic growth.
- Energy efficient labels help you compare efficiency of
various brands.
- Grading of products done by ‘SANAS-SABS’.
- A-G score (poorest performing product).
