Within the past month, several of my household appliances began to show signs of age. From the vacuum that no longer lifts pet hair off the carpet to the alarm clock that spontaneously buzzes for no apparent reason, the signs of wear and tear has become much more apparent. Several major appliances will require replacement in our home, sooner rather than later.
Sometime before the end of April, our dishwasher began a temper tantrum that lasted clear up until this past Sunday, when it spontaneously started working again. After attempting to troubleshoot it myself, I’ve realized that the unit is most likely failing. All things considered, it’s 15 years old and I’m pretty grateful that it’s lasted this long.
Not to be left out of this recent turn of events, our refrigerator developed a rather loud “hum and clunk” noise on Sunday evening, followed by something akin to a death rattle. On Monday evening, my husband opened the freezer section to retrieve his Carvel Brown Bonnet cone. He withdrew the plastic bag, which now contained a soupy chocolate mess and a forlorn sugar cone. The contents of the freezer had to be tossed, for everything had defrosted over an indeterminable amount of time. The refrigerator, which was cool but not cold, contained quite a bit of leftovers. I spent the latter half of Monday night with several Hefty bags and quite a few rolls of paper towels. The clunking sound that we heard was the compressor as it heaved its last.
Nobody enjoys the prospect of major appliance replacement. There is always a bit of research that must be obtained, in order to make an educated, albeit expensive, purchase. Finding the best value for one’s budget is a priority in today’s economy. It’s also important to read the fine print of all service protection agreements. We did quite a bit of research online, which helped to cut down on unnecessary traveling to and from stores. Comparison shopping is vital before making a major purchase.
It’s also a great idea to bring along advertisements from competitors, for most major retailers will match the price in order to get your business. Some retailers offer either financing or free delivery on appliances. Don’t feel rushed into deciding on the spot, either. When in doubt about a purchase, walk away—it can offer a fresher perspective and can help you to feel less overwhelmed in the process.
During our search for a new refrigerator, my daughter consistently chose the French-door-styled refrigerator with the freezer on the bottom. My mom had a Westinghouse behemoth that was the precursor to today’s popular French-door style. These fridges boast advanced features and storage capacity that’s pretty hard to beat. Because we have a small alcove, this style wasn’t a good choice for us. IKEA’s Nutid model is both functional and reasonably priced, and offers a great deal of storage for a large family.
Top freezer models are usually basic models that are perfect for the budget conscious consumer. Throughout our marriage, my husband and I opted for these types. Our last model boasted a light in the freezer, as well as an ice maker and water filtration system. We found an identical replacement difficult, although Kenmore and Whirlpool do offer similar refrigerators with these special features.
Side-by-side units offer the ability to fit into smaller areas, and also offer some advanced features. Water filtration, ice making, and easy freezer organization are just some of the reasons why we chose this style for a change.
Change is nice, but also expensive. Here’s hoping that Mr. Dishwasher will behave himself until next year, when Mr. Fridge is paid in full.
