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No piece of appliance is designed to last a lifetime. As much as we would like to have that, sorry but technology can only go as far as what is humanly possible. Technology can only guarantee you around 10 years or so of appliance service and unfortunately, your washing machine will sooner or later give in to old age.

You need to be sensitive to the needs of your washer kenmore washer repair los angeles. It gives you excellent service but you need to notice when it is already showing signs of wear. Sometimes, these may call for repair work but sometimes, it may be telling you that it already needs to retire. So stop the denial attempts, replacing the washing machine might actually be better for you.

So now that you have realized you need to replace your 7 year old washing appliance, do you just go ahead and move it out ready to be disposed? Of course not. There are certain guidelines you need to follow to make sure that your laundry machine is properly disposed of. This also ensures that your old laundry machine does not wreak havoc to the environment.

Make sure it is time to let go of it

One of the surefire ways to tell whether your clothes machine needs to go is its age. Typical washers have life spans that last from 10 to 15 years. If your clothes washer belongs or is already beyond this age group, then your laundry machine really, doubtlessly needs to be replaced. You should also replace your machine if it is not working properly anymore.

Some people also let go of their old washer even if they are still functioning well because older models consume more water and energy than newer model which are energy efficient. Newer models may cost you money but in the long run, you will be saving more on your water and electricity bills.

Ask for help from different councils

Before you head out to dispose of your clothes washer on your own, do yourself a favor and contact your local waste management council. You may be breaking the law by just dumping your laundry machine on the dump site so be sure to ask for laws and regulations with regards to disposal of appliances such as the washing machine. They may direct you to a landfill in the area where your washer can be dumped into, and they may also offer to pick up the washing machine from your home and dispose of it themselves.

There are also other waste removal services other than your local waste management council. If they are situated in an area nearer to you, then contact them for help. Some waste removal service will pick up your and the entire village’s unused appliances for free, while some may do it and charge a fee. Just be sure they do not overcharge.

Give it to recycling centers

On the other hand, if you are going to pay for the disposal of your laundry appliance, you might as well give it to a nearby recycling center and be paid for your deed. Scrap yards and recycling centers may buy your used laundry machine according to the weight of the metal or the amount of things they can still use from your washer.

Make arrangements with the retailer

If you are planning to buy a new washing machine (which you probably would because where will you do your laundry), you can make arrangements with the retailer. Some retailers of appliances, as a standard operational procedure, take with them the customer’s old appliance when they deliver the new one. Ask your retailer if they offer this kind of service.

Sell it second hand

You can also sell your washing machine second hand. But if you do this, be sure your washing machine is of no (or has minimal) defect and can still work like a normal washing machine does. You can put advertisements in the newspaper or on websites such a eBay for your used but still well working washing machine. Also put the reason why you are selling the machine.

Donate it to charity

The best way to dispose of old things and at the same time help the needy must be to donate it to charity. Look for charitable organizations in your area and ask them whether they will accept an old washing machine. You can try organizations that run establishments such as orphanages and home for the elderly.

Whether your air conditioner has stopped cooling or your fridge is not working, you require the services of appliance repair as soon as possible. Even a single appliance problem can disrupt your daily lifestyle and add myriads of tensions. You cannot waste your precious time by trying to solve the issue yourself. As the new technology appliances involve various complexities you may end up damaging the appliance further or wasting hours over it. What you need at the moment is the expert hands which can help you to get your life back on track kitchenaid refrigerator repair los angeles.

There are innumerable reasons why you cannot ignore or delay your appliance repairs. You can never let your food get spoiled in your malfunctioning refrigerator or let the water leak from your dish washer will can create further complications and water issues too. Therefore, the appliance repair is much more than just the matter of convenience. Many people are of the opinion that the appliance repair is just to make their life easier. But they need to think again and ponder about it! Air conditioner repairs, dryer repair, Refrigerator repair, microwave repairs and other services will not only relieve you of headaches and tensions but can also prevent additional issues and costs in the form of food loss, water damage, bugs growth and so on.

Just ignoring the issues will only add to the problems later on. Having your appliances in the best shape is convenient and also saves a lot of your money and keeps your home in perfect condition. You would never want to be embarrassed in front of your guests due to the conditions of your appliances. For instance, you have invited some of your friends to enjoy a party in your home. But as soon as they request you to switch on the air conditioner, you feel helpless. Your air conditioner has not been working for days and you have actually ignored it citing time or money as the reasons. But, a small incident makes you realize that air conditioning repair is imperative to maintain your home and your prestige as well.

But when decide to hire the services of an appliance repair company, you must also make sure that the company is reputed and their technicians will be able to adequately resolve all the problems. Also be certain that the appliance repair company is trustworthy, qualified and professional.

If you are not getting power to your dishwasher check first for a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse. You can also check to see if your dishwasher is actually getting power by testing the power out.

If your dishes are not getting clean then it’s time to check these five things lg dishwasher repair pasadena. First make sure that the water is getting hot enough. The water should be around 140 degrees or hotter, and if it is not you can usually turn your hot water heater thermostat up to a higher setting. Next you should check the spray arm that it is not obstructed and can turn freely. You should also make sure you are loading your dishwasher properly. Use the recommended amount of detergent and also that the detergent is fresh (check the expiration date). Sometimes, if your dishwasher is not used very often, it can grow mold inside. To get rid of it just use your normal detergent and run the dishwasher through a cycle with no dishes.

If your dishwasher is having a problem draining you can check these things: First unscrew the top cap and see if there is a blockage; if the air gap is blocked that can cause a problem with draining. Another reason could be that your drain valve could be broken or damaged. Most dishwashers have a valve that should open during the drain cycle only. If the valve is clogged with food debris it cannot close properly, which would cause water to drain out during its wash cycle. If your dishwasher drains into your garbage disposal, listen for water draining into the disposal when it’s in the wash cycle. If you can hear it your drain could possibly be clogged.

Here’s what to check if your dishwasher door is not closing. First make sure that the latch assembly is latching properly; see that nothing is blocking the door from closing and opening correctly. Next, check the door seal. If your dishwasher is brand new or if you have replaced the door seal recently, it could be a little tough to close for a couple of weeks. If this problem still persists try to adjust the latch (if it is adjustable). If the latch is not adjustable there is nothing you can do right away. Try running your dishwasher on the highest heat setting to help the seal fit the door better. You might just have to wait though, the door seal will fit the door over time.

A typical wash cycle of a typical agitator-type washing machine begins with a fill period of anywhere from 2 to 5 min. depending on the water level selected and the water pressure. Maytag, Whirlpool, Kenmore (Sears), Frigidaire, and GE may have minor capacity differences and thus time differences. The washing period, which will be for anywhere from 2 to 12 minutes, also depends on the setting the operator has selected. After the wash cycle is completed, the machine pauses for 1 min for the purpose of reversing motor rotation. After the 1-min pause, water is pumped from the spin basket and the outer tub. The spin basket does not spin during this operation, although, if there is no clothing or very little clothing in the spin basket, there is a tendency for it to move slightly. The washer agitator may also move very slightly, and this must not be mistaken for a fault in the washer. The motion of both the basket and the agitator will not occur in cases where there is a least a minimum amount of clothing in the basket samsung washer repair pasadena.

The following is the general cycle of operation, with the approximate time used in the various states:

Wash fill – 3 to 4 minutes
Wash – 1 to 15 minutes
Spin – 2 to 3 minutes
Rinse Fill 3 to 4 minutes
Rinses 2 to 3 minutes
Spin Dry 3 to 5 minutes
Total Time 14 to 34 minutes

This is not exact cycle and like I said above, there are minor differences between such brands as Whirlpool, Kenmore (Sears), Maytag, GE, and others. The time for one complete cycle may range from as little as 14 minutes to as long as 34 min, depending on the particular machine and length of the washer period which the user selects.

During the washer pump out period, water enters the spin basket and removes all suds from the outer tub as well as the spin basket and clothes load. By the end of the pump out period, all water has been removed from the spin basket and the outer tub. After the pump out period, the spin basket spins under power for a period of ¼ minute. After this time, power to the motor is turned off, and the basket is free to coast. The spin basket coasts through the next 2 min. during which time rinse water enters the washer basket and pump still operates.

The initial power spin and the subsequent coasting of the spin basket, together with the spin-spray water entering the clothes, have a tendency to wash any lighter-than-water soil from the fabric and flush it away from the clothing. The washer spin basket is operating only at slow speed at this time; therefore, the clothing is not packed so tightly that a scum or lighter-than-water soil will be trapped.

After the initial spin rinse, the normal extraction spin of our typical washer occurs for a period of 2 minutes, after which the spin basket wills with water for a period of not less than 2 minutes and not more than 4 min, depending upon the original setting of the water level switch. The difference between the initial fill and the rinse fill comes about through the fact that the clothes in the spin basket contain some water which is not found in the original load.

After our typical washer is filled with rinse water, there is a 4 min period of agitated deep-wave rinse. The 1 min pause and 2 min pump out periods are repeated, after which the spin basket operates for a total of 7 min to extract water from the clothes. After the first 3/4 min, a1 /4 min spin spray occurs for an additional fresh-water rinsing. Please understand the cycle of operations, because if washers pause for 1 min and you do not realize the reason for it, you may have already have called the service technician before the machine starts again. The cycle times of various operations of the washers are given in the service manuals.

When your washing machine grinds to a sudden halt in the middle of the spin cycle or you notice your refrigerator isn’t running, the first thing that runs through your mind is often, “What am I going to do now?” Take a deep breath and don’t let yourself become instantly overwhelmed by the prospect of a broken appliance. You may need a major appliance repair, but don’t jump the gun by assuming your fridge, washer, or other appliance is kaput. There are a number of steps you can take to troubleshoot minor problems as well as prevent additional damage to your appliance, all before you even consider bringing in the pros. Instead of throwing your hands up in frustration when you discover one of your household appliances may be malfunctioning, this checklist can be an easy guide to help you answer that pesky “what next” question dryer repair altadena.

Check connections and cords.

Sometimes your appliance’s sudden refusal to turn on or a newly developed leak is the result of a loose connection. Make sure that all electrical cords are firmly plugged into the outlet and that any water inlet and drain hoses are snugly secured to the supply and sewer lines. It may seem like an obvious step, but many homeowners assume that because the cords and water lines were connected yesterday, they have to be today. However, anything from the cat crawling behind the washer to the gradual loosening of a hose over time can mean that these connections can suddenly fail. The good news is that they’re quick fixes that every homeowner should be able to address in a moment.

Keep in mind that this does NOT apply to gas connections. If you’re experiencing problems with a gas dryer or range, you’ll want to call a professional in right away. That’s because gas appliance repairs, especially those that deal with the gas lines themselves, can be extremely hazardous to your health and to the safety of your home and family. Play it safe and bring in the pros for all gas appliance maintenance and repair.

Look for blown fuses.

Just like with loose electrical cords or detached water lines, many people forget to check for blown fuses, flipped circuit breakers, and engaged child safety locks when their appliances suddenly stop or won’t turn on. Start by looking in your home’s electrical panel for flipped circuit breakers, and then consult your appliance’s owner’s manual or something like a dryer repair manual for instructions regarding internal fuses and breakers. This type of issue should be relatively straightforward to repair and can help save you the expensive of calling an appliance repair service to take care of this rather simple solution.

Test appliances only once or twice, not repeatedly.

After you’ve checked the electrical cord and explored the possibility of blown fuses or tripped breakers, the next step is usually to test the appliance and see if it’s still experiencing the same problem. Feel free to test your washer or oven, but only do so once or twice. Repeated tests are likely to exacerbate the problem by burning out the motor or pump or creating other types of additional damage, so make sure you limit your exploratory tests. As a caution, if the appliance is smoking, overly warm, sparking, or making grinding noises, turn it off immediately and do not attempt to restart it. These are all signs that your unit is experiencing a major problem that could lead to a fire or complete deterioration of one or more parts, so it’s best not to jeopardize your appliance or your household.

If your appliance is still acting up or you don’t feel that it’s safe to turn on, your best bet may be to contact a local appliance repairman. Because you’ve taken a few minutes to determine that the problem is not a blown fuse or unplugged cord, you’ve already eliminated a few potential causes for the issue and the appliance technician will be able to complete their diagnostic process just a little bit faster.

A rather startling question to pose considering that most of us, an estimated 8 out of 10 households, have a clothes dryer in our home and that they’re used on a regular, consistent basis without too much thought. What mighty fine pieces of modern marvel they are, too…those ole’ trusty clothes dryers! They certainly make life easier and they’re generally safe to operate. Let’s be honest, though…we take our clothes dryers for granted! We wash our clothes, toss em’ in the dryer, and expect that the end result will be an uneventful load of nice, dry, clean-smelling laundry. Indeed, that is the usual result. However, as with many of the relatively complex systems that comprise a home environment, there are some safety considerations to ponder and of which we need to maintain an awareness dryer repair pasadena.

Again, clothes dryers are generally safe…as long as they’re properly installed, well vented, and receive periodic maintenance. Maintenance, you say? You mean like changing the oil in the family car? Well, yes…precisely that sort of routine maintenance albeit on, perhaps, a less frequent basis. The clothes dryer and its venting system need…no, require, periodic maintenance to keep you safe and to dry your clothes as efficiently and inexpensively as possible. Let’s examine those two concepts as they relate to clothes dryers…those of safety and of monetary efficiency.

As for the safety aspect, it’s really fairly simple. Your clothes dryer has the potential to catch fire and burn your house down. And, most unfortunately, a resulting house fire can kill you! Have I acquired your attention? Between 2004 and 2006, according to the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS), there were an estimated 15,600 related residential fires that required a fire department response. Those fires caused an estimated annual monetary loss of $99 Million, 400 injuries, and 15 fatalities. The leading cause of those fires was determined to be a failure to maintain the system. What causes these expensive, and sometimes deadly, clothes dryer related fires in the first place?

Clothes dryers do their job by forcing heated air through a rotating drum that contains your load of laundry. As the moisture is released, lint is created from the fibers of the content…clothing, towels, etc. Most of the lint is filtered by the clothes dryer filter…the one we are familiar with that’s usually located inside the door or on top of the unit; most of us are familiar with the need to clean that filter after every load of laundry. But some of that lint makes it past the filter and can collect in the ductwork between the clothes dryer and the exhaust hood (the discharge end of the duct that should…should, I say, be located be at the exterior of the building). The accumulation of lint inside the ductwork, or in an uncleaned filter, serves to create a restriction to the airflow and a concentration of lint which is a very combustible fuel source.

Often, the types of installed ducts are conducive to venting problems. There are generally four different types of ducts. There are rigid metal ducts that are smooth on the inside; these are by far the safest types of ducts because they aren’t prone to sagging and are relatively easily cleaned. There are semi-rigid, semi-flexible ducts that are not quite as “good” as rigid metal ducts but are also a reasonable choice. And then there are the other two types…flexible foil and flexible plastic. These latter two types account for the majority of deficient issues that I see relating to clothes dryer ducts. They are thin, are prone to sagging and to physical damage, are not able to be readily cleaned, and should just plainly be avoided. Those plastic ducts will not only do absolutely nothing to contain a fire should one start in or near the duct, they will actually readily burn themselves…bad, bad, bad! Then there’s the “failure to clean” aspect where the duct is mostly blocked with lint. It’s these conditions of improperly installed ductwork, the use of unsafe or improper ductwork, or a failure to maintain the cleanliness of the ducts that cause the most troublesome issues. It’s worthy of note that most all manufacturers of clothes dryers disallow the use of those horrid plastic flexible ducts; nonetheless, they continue to be used in many homes…even in newer homes! Also worthy of note is that, in most jurisdictions, those plastic flexible ducts have never been allowed to penetrate floors or walls… but that’s a commonly observed configuration as well.

Your kitchen makes you look like a pro with your oven, accessories and work surfaces. You may not even think that your kitchen sink and faucet may undermine the professional look of your kitchen.

Stainless steel brings a great professional look into any kitchen and with a quality brand such as Franke or Rohl will creates a magnificent result. The most important part is to start the right way kitchenaid stove and oven repair los angeles.

If you have a budget go for stainless steel content you can purchase. The lower the gauge, the thicker the steel. The average home sink is 21-gauge stainless and a good quality, Franke sink can be 18-gauge. If you’re really going high end, 16-gauge is wonderfully thick.

Single sinks bring professional look and are for the “pro” chef who enjoys cooking a lot, a single sick might be the best. You can use the single sink to wash a turkey roaster. If you entertain a lot, single sink can help your catering.

Bring the best in your kitchen faucet and go for high end designs. Giant faucets and sprayers in a home kitchen may not be easily taken out and in from holders like smaller faucets that are more user friendly. Pay particular attention to the finish on faucets if you want a clean, professional look that will last a long time.

Even faucet and sink might cost you a bit, remember that those items you use and touch everyday, therefore; you need something that is durable. Don’t be afraid to spend big dollars on a quality faucet. It will pay off.

Remember, investing into your kitchen including your stove, faucet, sink, etc, may be a great idea to get the durability for a long time, but also maintenance is necessary.

Appliances will suffer, if you try to clean them with anything more abrasive than a sponge or stronger than soap and water. Use dishwashing liquid like Dawn to safely clean any surface in the kitchen without harming it.

Stainless steel surfaces are particularly deceptive. They will absorb oil, which is why your fingers will leave prints and smears on stainless steel appliance. Wiping the surface with a lint-free cloth and just a little dishwashing liquid in warm water is the best idea. Cleaning solutions with, such as orange cleaners, bleach will damage stainless steel surface in a few seconds.

With pro style ovens your job of cleaning might be easier as most ovens are self-cleaning. But steps are still necessary to keep your oven clean. For example, if you cover the bottom with foil to catch drips is not a good idea as foil can block the air circulation, which makes the oven much less efficient over time.

Do not use commercial oven cleaners on a self-cleaning cleaning oven as they may damage the finish and could even void your warranty.

Clean your cook-top sooner than later. If you have spills, clean them right away with gas-fired stove. Clean your spills with water or little soap and water, and check those little holes in the burners that allow the gas to come out to make sure they’re not blocked with debris.

Most important fact is making sure that oven is cool before you clean the burners. Before you turn the stove back on, ensure cleaning fluid is fully rinsed and the stovetop is dry.

 

A broken or poorly working dryer can bring your whole home-life to a screeching halt. Suddenly, your railings and chair backs are populated with t-shirts and jeans hung out to dry, and all the necessary uniforms, work clothes, and towels that you use every day aren’t on hand when you need them. Don’t let this madness go on any longer than necessary. Find out what you can do to troubleshoot some common dryer problems, and when you should call a pro for appliance repair service maytag dryer repair pasadena.

The first and most important guideline to DIY appliance care is: if you’re not comfortable tackling it on your own, call a pro. There’s no sense making yourself nervous or doing something that feels unsafe. If the very thought of delving into the workings of your dryer makes you break out in a sweat, put the dryer repair manual down and pick up a phone. There’s no shame in calling a professional when you
need to.

If you’re ready to get your homegrown troubleshooting skills going, keep that repair manual to hand and dive in. Take a common and fairly dramatic scenario: your dryer stops working altogether. No matter what buttons you push, nothing happens. The first thing to check is the door. Almost all dryers have a door latch safety feature that has to be engaged before the machine will start. Shut the door firmly to make sure it’s latched properly and see if that helps.

If the door latched but still nothing happens, then it’s time to check the reset switch. This is a prime troubleshooting solution especially if your dryer has recently been running. The machine may simply have overheated. Wait about ten minutes for things to cool down, then consult your manual to find out where the reset switch is. It’s often on the control panel. Make sure you disconnect the power supply before rooting around for the reset switch and shut off the gas supply valve, if applicable.

If checking the door latch and the pushing reset switch don’t do the trick, there’s probably an issue with one of the individual parts of the dryer. If you’re comfortable and want to pursue the next dryer repair step on your own, you can disassemble the unit and check out which part is at fault. You can refer to the manual and look online for repair guides and helpful diagrams to assist you.

If the idea of going into the dryer’s innards fills you with fear, though, it’s time to call your local appliance repairs company and tell them what the problem is. These folks are professionals for a reason. They know the ins and outs of these machines and will know what to do to get your dryer back on its feet.

DIY home appliance repair is a great option if you feel comfortable with the task and you have a sense of what you’re doing. If you feel out of your depth, however, calling a professional appliance repair company is a wonderful choice.

 

If your home is not that huge, you can have the portable dishwasher as the option. There are various brands available in the market, such as Bosch, GE, Whirlpool, Kenmore and many more. This portable machine is only 18 to 24 inches in the width. Compared to the standard models, this type is cheaper. You can get this portable device for around USD 250 to USD 600.

For the practicality reason, this machine has wheels so that you can store it when it is not in use. Generally, it provides two rolling baskets. You can use these baskets to place the dishes. The features available are quite simple, but it commonly supports the super-powerful cycle feature for pan and pot. Besides that, some models can also boost up the water temperature so that the washing process is optimal whirlpool dishwasher repair los angeles.

When you want to use the portable dishwasher, you must connect it to the hose of your sink. All you need to do is screwing the hose directly to the plumbing system. It is better if you can unclog your sink first before you start the washing. Besides that, rinsing the dishes before placing them into the machine is another smart thing to do. By doing so, you can avoid any clogging in the machine.

There are two types of portable dishwashers available to choose. The first is the one placed on the kitchen countertop and the second is the one on the floor. Both of these type work equally great. Therefore, the option depends on your preference and space availability.

The benefit of having a portable dishwasher is easy maintenance. The machine is simpler compared to the standard model. Therefore, when it is broken, the repair work can be significantly simpler too.

Sometimes the cost of repairing an old appliance just doesn’t make sense. But when is a good time and what brand should I consider buying? Last week I sat down with Chris Boucher from De Anza Appliance, Service and Repair, to ask him a few questions about purchasing a new appliance.

When is it time to repair vs. replace my appliance?

There are a lot of factors to consider but the general rule of thumb if your appliance is less than 10 years old, have someone take a look. If it’s over 15 years old I suggest you consider replacing it. New appliances will be more efficient and you’ll start fresh with a new useful life. That middle ground in-between depends on a couple items: 1) Is the appliance in otherwise good shape? 2) Is it built-in to the cabinet and harder to install? 3) How long will it be before I remodel my kitchen again? With some appliances, like built-in double wall ovens, professional style ranges, large Sub Zeros or other built-in appliances, it may be worth fixing an older model since the replacement cost could be in the thousands of dollars. I would estimate the useful life of most current washers, dishwashers, and refrigerators to be between 12-18 years; and dryers, ovens, and cooktops between 15-25 years whirlpool dishwasher repair pasadena.

With so many brands out there, how do I figure out which one is best for me?

Whirlpool is a manufacturer that owns several brands. Currently Amana, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air appliances are all built the by the Whirlpool company. Swedish based Electrolux owns the Frigidaire brand and was recently purchased General Electric home appliance division. Whirlpool also builds the Kirkland brand you see in Costco and many of the appliances you find at IKEA.

There’s a lot fewer brands than you might think. For instance Kenmore at Sears is built by other manufacturers. Most of their current models are built by Whirlpool, Electrolux, Samsung, or LG. Sears carries the most brands of any of the big box retailer, but their sales team might recommend Kenmore since it has the best profit margins.

Other big box chains have Electrolux, LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool brands. Check out local independent dealers like University Electric or Airport Appliance if you’re looking for commercial or boutique brands, such as Dacor, Speed Queen, Sub Zero, or Thermador. Although you might pay a bit more we always recommend our customers start there. You’ll get better selection, a more knowledgeable sales staff, and full-service installation options. Price is sometimes negotiable at the independents, especially if you’re buying a laundry pair or doing an entire kitchen remodel.

Checking out consumer reports for repair rates and efficiency ratings doesn’t provide a complete picture. If you have an appliance repair company you work with talk with their technicians and ownership team about brands they service, ones that last the longest, brands that have lower costs of repair. Finding a good service company that you can trust to can handle your appliance repairs is as important as having a quality appliance. Even the best rated machines can break down and you’ll be in a pickle if you don’t have a good service company.

What can I do to help make the sales process easier?

Size matters. If you have a technician in your home and you decide it’s better to replace rather than repair have the tech measure both the appliance and the opening around the appliance. The “cut-out” dimensions will help guide the sales professional in finding an appliance that will come closest to fitting the existing opening. If the new built-in appliance is bigger or smaller knowing the dimensions helps the installation team provide an accurate quote that includes cutting into the cabinets or countertop or building a trim to fill in the gaps.

What’s important to you; time-saving features, energy efficiency, or price. With today’s units you usually can’t have it all. The least expensive appliances will last the longest but won’t be as efficient or have as many options as their more expensive counterparts. Energy efficient laundry and dishwashers can save you money but sometimes have longer cycles than you are accustomed to. Feature laden appliances, especially refrigerators with ice makers, computer controlled crisper bins, and other additional electronics provide a lot of convenience but you sacrifice energy efficiency and pay a higher price tag.