Buying Household Appliances
Factors to consider when shopping when shopping for household
appliances
• Needs of the family:
o Size of the family
o Important features for the family
o Available space
• Budget:
o Best quality for your budget
o Check for warranties
o Buy energy sufficient
• Must reduce work load
• Instructions easy to understand
• Appliances must be safe
Choosing household appliances criteria
Universal design:
• Suit different needs and abilities
• Easy to use
• Easy to clean
• Controls must be easy to use
• Must be safe
Functionality:
• Should work efficiently if clear instructions are provided and positioned correctly
Energy use:
• Use of human time and energy
• Appliances should save human time and energy
• Easy and convenient to use
• Should not be too heavy and be adjustable
• Maintenance should be time efficient
Use of non-human energy:
• Choose appliances that are energy efficient
• Look for economic cycles
• Cheaper models will cost more in the long run
• Check the energy efficiency on the label:
o A+ = excellent
o A-C = good
o D = average
o E-G = poor
o G = least efficient and uses a lot of energy
,Water consumption:
• Look for efficient water consumption with dishwashers and washing machines
• Appliances with high water consumption put pressure on our water resources and sewage
system
Environmental impact:
• Although convenient they must be environmentally friendly
• All appliances have an impact on the environment during
manufacturer, during and after disposal
• Burning coal and other fossil fuel can cause air pollution
• Carbon dioxide released increases greenhouse gasses
• Modern refrigerators and freezers are CFC free – both must be disposed of correctly
• Old appliances contain lead which can contaminate soil and water causing health issues
• Contact your local municipality on what to do with e waste
Washing Machines
Top Loader:
• 7-13kg
• 150l-200l per cycle
• Quicker load finishing time
• Uses more electricity
• Suitable for large families
Front Loader:
• 5-7kg
• 60l-100l per cycle
• Door is at the front so can go under a counter
• Uses less electricity because it uses cold water which is heated by an internal element
Semi-automatic twin tub machine:
• 3kg
• Take up a lot of space
• Much cheaper to buy
• Requires more human energy
Considerations for buying:
• Choose the right size for needs
• Control knobs must be easy to use
• Lindt filter must be easy to reach
• Strong spin cycle to get rid of water
• Adjustable temperature settings
• Automatic cold rinse cycle – saves energy
• Automatic water level setting will reduce water
• Energy efficiency label
,Stoves
• Built in stove
• Free standing stove
• Gas stove with burners
Considerations for buying:
• Easy to clean
• Safety valves on gas stoves
• Child locks
• Lights to indicate temperature
• Controls must be easy to understand
• Self cleaning oven
Functionality of different types of stoves:
• SPIRAL PLATE - heats up and cools down quickly but difficult to clean
• SOLID PLATE - takes longer to heat up but easier to clean
• GLASS OR CERAMIC TOPS - easy cleaning but require flat bottom cookware.
• GAS BURNERS - immediate heat. Difficult to maintain a low heat. Can be difficult to clean
if burners are not sealed
Tumble Dryer
Electric:
• Tumble dryers with condensers will collect water in a tank
• Can be placed anywhere in the house
• Tumble dryers with air vents need to be placed in a well ventilated area
Gas:
• Gas provides the energy needed for drying
• Only a little electricity used to control the drum
• Considered environmentally friendly and use little energy
Considerations when buying:
• Control knobs must be easy to read
• Child lock
• Signal to indicate end of cycle
• Anti-crease cycle
• Lindt filters must be easy to reach and clean
• Automatic off switch
• Different temperature settings
• Moisture sensor
• Study the label for energy efficiency
, Dishwashers
• Look for different cycles – one that includes and economy cycle
• Racks that can be moved
• Prewash is not necessary
• Automatic open function
• Some machines need dishes to be washed by hand before being
placed in the dish washer
• Low temperature settings can save energy
• Less water is used than washing dishes by hand
• Study the label for energy efficiency
Refrigerators
• Two types:
o side by side
o freezer-fridge combination
• Shelves must be adjustable
• Electronic temperature control
• Can be cleaned easily
• Automatic locking
• Frost free system
• Ice makers and water dispensers save human energy
• Refrigerators with freezer compartment use less energy than side by side
• Automatic defrost uses more energy but is more efficient
• Large refrigerators use more energy
• Must be well sealed
Freezers
• There are different types of freezers available:
o freezer fridge combo
o upright or chest freezer
o side by side freezer
• Automatic locking
• Adjustable shelves
• Drawers with rollers
• Electronic temperature control
• Open door alarm
• Easy cleaning
• Chest freezers are difficult to organize
Ovens
Types of ovens:
• CONVENTIONAL OVENS - has a top and bottom element
• CONVECTION/THERMO FAN OVENS - has a fan in the oven to distribute heat evenly and
faster
• SELF-CLEANING OVEN - burns away spills with high temperatures without the use of
chemicals
Factors to consider when shopping when shopping for household
appliances
• Needs of the family:
o Size of the family
o Important features for the family
o Available space
• Budget:
o Best quality for your budget
o Check for warranties
o Buy energy sufficient
• Must reduce work load
• Instructions easy to understand
• Appliances must be safe
Choosing household appliances criteria
Universal design:
• Suit different needs and abilities
• Easy to use
• Easy to clean
• Controls must be easy to use
• Must be safe
Functionality:
• Should work efficiently if clear instructions are provided and positioned correctly
Energy use:
• Use of human time and energy
• Appliances should save human time and energy
• Easy and convenient to use
• Should not be too heavy and be adjustable
• Maintenance should be time efficient
Use of non-human energy:
• Choose appliances that are energy efficient
• Look for economic cycles
• Cheaper models will cost more in the long run
• Check the energy efficiency on the label:
o A+ = excellent
o A-C = good
o D = average
o E-G = poor
o G = least efficient and uses a lot of energy
,Water consumption:
• Look for efficient water consumption with dishwashers and washing machines
• Appliances with high water consumption put pressure on our water resources and sewage
system
Environmental impact:
• Although convenient they must be environmentally friendly
• All appliances have an impact on the environment during
manufacturer, during and after disposal
• Burning coal and other fossil fuel can cause air pollution
• Carbon dioxide released increases greenhouse gasses
• Modern refrigerators and freezers are CFC free – both must be disposed of correctly
• Old appliances contain lead which can contaminate soil and water causing health issues
• Contact your local municipality on what to do with e waste
Washing Machines
Top Loader:
• 7-13kg
• 150l-200l per cycle
• Quicker load finishing time
• Uses more electricity
• Suitable for large families
Front Loader:
• 5-7kg
• 60l-100l per cycle
• Door is at the front so can go under a counter
• Uses less electricity because it uses cold water which is heated by an internal element
Semi-automatic twin tub machine:
• 3kg
• Take up a lot of space
• Much cheaper to buy
• Requires more human energy
Considerations for buying:
• Choose the right size for needs
• Control knobs must be easy to use
• Lindt filter must be easy to reach
• Strong spin cycle to get rid of water
• Adjustable temperature settings
• Automatic cold rinse cycle – saves energy
• Automatic water level setting will reduce water
• Energy efficiency label
,Stoves
• Built in stove
• Free standing stove
• Gas stove with burners
Considerations for buying:
• Easy to clean
• Safety valves on gas stoves
• Child locks
• Lights to indicate temperature
• Controls must be easy to understand
• Self cleaning oven
Functionality of different types of stoves:
• SPIRAL PLATE - heats up and cools down quickly but difficult to clean
• SOLID PLATE - takes longer to heat up but easier to clean
• GLASS OR CERAMIC TOPS - easy cleaning but require flat bottom cookware.
• GAS BURNERS - immediate heat. Difficult to maintain a low heat. Can be difficult to clean
if burners are not sealed
Tumble Dryer
Electric:
• Tumble dryers with condensers will collect water in a tank
• Can be placed anywhere in the house
• Tumble dryers with air vents need to be placed in a well ventilated area
Gas:
• Gas provides the energy needed for drying
• Only a little electricity used to control the drum
• Considered environmentally friendly and use little energy
Considerations when buying:
• Control knobs must be easy to read
• Child lock
• Signal to indicate end of cycle
• Anti-crease cycle
• Lindt filters must be easy to reach and clean
• Automatic off switch
• Different temperature settings
• Moisture sensor
• Study the label for energy efficiency
, Dishwashers
• Look for different cycles – one that includes and economy cycle
• Racks that can be moved
• Prewash is not necessary
• Automatic open function
• Some machines need dishes to be washed by hand before being
placed in the dish washer
• Low temperature settings can save energy
• Less water is used than washing dishes by hand
• Study the label for energy efficiency
Refrigerators
• Two types:
o side by side
o freezer-fridge combination
• Shelves must be adjustable
• Electronic temperature control
• Can be cleaned easily
• Automatic locking
• Frost free system
• Ice makers and water dispensers save human energy
• Refrigerators with freezer compartment use less energy than side by side
• Automatic defrost uses more energy but is more efficient
• Large refrigerators use more energy
• Must be well sealed
Freezers
• There are different types of freezers available:
o freezer fridge combo
o upright or chest freezer
o side by side freezer
• Automatic locking
• Adjustable shelves
• Drawers with rollers
• Electronic temperature control
• Open door alarm
• Easy cleaning
• Chest freezers are difficult to organize
Ovens
Types of ovens:
• CONVENTIONAL OVENS - has a top and bottom element
• CONVECTION/THERMO FAN OVENS - has a fan in the oven to distribute heat evenly and
faster
• SELF-CLEANING OVEN - burns away spills with high temperatures without the use of
chemicals
