It’s a safe bet that if a homeowner bought an appliance this year, he or she bought it in the past three months.
Studies show that consumers tend to buy new appliances during June, July and August so their homes will be ready for heavy-duty guest use when the holiday season hits.
Room checked in with three major appliance retailers to find out what people are buying the most. Stainless-steel look-alikes, French-door refrigerators and steam washers are among this year’s favorite models.
“We typically see a 20 percent increase in sales during the summer,” says Charles Ewing, owner of the Appliance Factory Outlet. “The two appliances consumers want the most from an energy-savings standpoint (are) a refrigerator and a washing machine.”
The old side-by-side fridge has been replaced with a French-door model that offers more space and flexibility to store larger items. Each one features a freezer on the bottom; higher-end models come with exterior water and ice dispensers.
Popular brands such as LG, Maytag and GE cost from $2,000 to $2,800 for stainless steel. Budget-conscious consumers, on the other hand, increasingly opt for faux-stainless steel finishes made to look like designer products but without the designer price, according to Stacey Grega, an appliance specialist at the Best Buy Denver West branch in Lakewood.
A Samsung “platinum” or an LG “titanium” refrigerator costs about half as much as stainless steel and may actually work better for families because fingerprints don’t show up as easily as they do on steel.
What else guides appliance-shopping decisions? Design-savvy consumers want to express their sense of style, while technological buffs crave innovation and convenience. Today’s appliances cater to both, Grega says.
Vibrant-colored washing machines and dryers fit the bill by helping
homeowners fuse decorating with function. Grega adds that today’s new homes tend to have laundry rooms in the kitchen or even off the living room. So “these appliances have to look good with the rest of the house,” she says.
Red, blue and oiled bronze appliances are now standard from many major manufacturers.
Charles Ewing with Appliance Factory Outlet couldn’t wait to see the new turquoise washing machine and dryer being released by Whirlpool at the recent Brand Source National Convention in Las Vegas. They aren’t just pretty. New technology means they work better and save the consumer money by using less water and detergent.
Front-loading, energy-efficient washers and dryers also have reached mass distribution, which means there are now some good buys on new models for consumers, Ewing says.
This month, for instance, his stores will be offering $500 off the Frigidaire Affinity “Black Diamond” washing machine, which usually costs from $1,000 to $2,000. Pair the discount with Denver’s $150 water rebate for purchasing an energy-efficient appliance, and the savings enable this machine to pay for itself, Ewing says.
Add steam to popular front-loading models, and the result is the LG Steamwasher and Dryer system, featuring a pedestal storage drawer and a faster drying cycle that makes ironing obsolete. Similarly, Whirlpool’s Duet Steam Dryer is coming to Best Buy stores soon. And Sears’ Kenmore Elite Oasis HE 5 model is already in stores.
Looking for innovation in a dishwasher? The GE Profile SmartDispense automatically dispenses soap. Its costs between $700 and $800 at Appliance Factory Outlet.
“You take a liquid soap and pour the whole bottle in,” Ewing says. “I’ve got one, and it’s kind of hard to get used to at first.”
Popular dishwashers also feature three water sprayer heads instead of one, three wash racks instead of two, and a larger tub space. Adjustable rack prongs and removable utensil drawers add more usable space.
This year’s coveted stoves may finally solve the dispute over what’s better to cook with – gas or electricity – as hard-core cooks can indulge in the best of both worlds with KitchenAid’s dual fuel range at Best Buy. The $3,500 price tag will put a hole in the pocketbook – but think of all the great dishes you’ll make before having a money-induced heart attack.
Staff Writer Sheba R. Wheeler can be reached at 303-954-1283 or swheeler@denverpost.com.
Save me…
money | Free home tour
The 18th Annual Flatirons Tour of Homes takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and on Sept. 22 and 23. The event presented by the Home Builders Association of Metro Denver highlights 30 newly built homes throughout Boulder, Broomfield, Lyons, Longmont, Erie, Mead, Niwot and Westminster. Admission is free. Details at .
space | Quick bathroom safety
The EASY STEP is a bathroom tool that easily converts a bathtub into a senior-safe shower by lowering its side. It can be installed in one day, and paired with grab bars, hand-held shower nozzles, curved shower rods and even a slip-resistant surface. Find out more by calling 888-271-7690, or log on to .
time | Online art and antiques
The new antiques and fine-art website, ., sells to dealers and collectors alike. Boasting “the best pieces and art works from all periods and styles,” the site allows sellers to post and manage inventory, and link to their store websites. Collectors can bookmark items, comment on merchandise and e-mail dealers directly.
Money back
Most major Colorado cities and some counties offer consumer rebates on energy- and water-efficient appliances. Contact your local authorities to see if a conservation rebate program is offered in your area.
Denver offers a $200 rebate for eligible models of high-efficiency washing machines. Some water districts including Wheat Ridge and Willowbrook Water and Sanitation (which covers part of Littleton and Morrison) qualify for Denver Water’s rebate programs. Details at .
Westminster will knock off $100 for toilets that use less than 1.3 gallons per flush. Information at .
Aurora offers a $100 rebate on a low-flow toilet and $150 rebate on a high-efficiency toilet, or one that uses no more than 1.2 gallons per flush. This city also offers rebates on Xeriscaping. Details at .
The city of Boulder offers both residential and commercial rebates on high-efficiency washing machines, some toilets and certain water-conserving landscaping materials including drip irrigation and buffalo grass. More information at .
The Douglas Electric
Cooperative offers rebates for washing machines ($70), dishwashers ($25), thermostats ($50) and other common household appliances. Details at .
